HospitalInspections.org

Based on Emergency Department (ED) record review, staff interview, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure that Patient #, one (1) of 11 patients reviewed, was cautioned to avoid driving and operating other dangerous equipment prior to being discharged.


Findings include:


On 9/25/16 at 5:29 p.m.18-year-old Patient #1 walked into the ED with the complaint of a possible allergic reaction to a fire ant bite. The patient reported taking Benadryl 25 milligrams (mg) approximately 30 minutes prior to arrival. The patient was given Zofran 4 mg intravenously (IV) at 5:50 p.m. and Dilaudid 4 mg IV at 6:13 p.m. The patient reported a decrease in pain and being sleepy at 6:59 p.m. The was no documented evidence that the patient was cautioned to avoid driving and operating any dangerous equipment after discharge due to possible side effects of the medications. The patient's diagnoses were: Anxiety Reaction and Abdominal Pain, Generalized--Resolved. The patient was discharged and left the ED at 9:13 p.m.


The Director of Quality and Risk Management reviewed the patient's ED record on 01/25/17 at 12:11 p.m. At that time she agreed there was no documented evidence that the patient was instructed to avoid driving and operating other dangerous equipment.


Review of the facility's "Discharge from the Emergency Department" policy revealed, "It is the policy of (facility) that each emergency department patient receives relevant verbal and written instructions regarding their diagnoses, medications, and referral for follow up care at discharge."