RE: pt. consent

["Laurie A. Romig, MD" <laurie.romig@verizon.net>]

I think that this is actually a pretty multi-facetted question. The first
thing to do is to check your state or regional/local laws or rules to see
the exact wording ("must" vs "should" kind of thing). Next, if you were
never apprised of the family's wishes, it's kind of difficult to hold you
responsible. Finally, did anyone inform the family of the risks associated
with transport to the Level III facility? Was this an informed request?
Personally, I'd be worrying more at that point about making sure that the
hospital that my relative was going to was capable of delivering the needed
care, and worry about niceties later! If I were the patient and had full
mental faculties before and after medical care, I might blame my family for
making the wrong decision. The moral high ground (do what's best for the
patient) is always your best base of operation!

Laurie Romig, MD
LifeNet5, Bartow, FL

-----Original Message-----
From: flightmed-admin@flightweb.com
[mailto:flightmed-admin@flightweb.com]On Behalf Of
jffmedic46@netzero.com
Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2003 5:23 PM
To: flightmed@flightweb.com
Subject: pt. consent


I have question for anyone that will answer. I had a elderly patient
involved in an MVC with +loc at scene, multiple extremity fractures, pelvic
fracture, head lac, Responsive to name only following prolonged extracation.
30 minutes to only Level I trauma center around. EMS on scene stated pt.
family wants her taken to a Level III hospital same distance away for they
did not like how past family members where treated at Level I in the past.
Our guidelines state to take her to the Level I Trauma center with the
injuries that she had,which we did. Now family states their rights were
violated. The crew did not talk to the family at the scene, only the EMS
unit that called us. The EMS unit had told the family that we had to take
her to the most appropriate facility and left it at that. My question is,
"Was this patients rights violated?"

J. Stone NREMT-P




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