Memo - Delayed Offloads with Critical or Unstable Patients

Delayed Offloads with Critical/Unstable Patients

2010-02-25

It has come to our attention, that on several occasions, units have had to wait excessive amounts of time upon arrival at the ED before their critical/unstable patient is seen by a nurse or doctor.

In the future, please handle this situation in the following manner:

• You arrive at the ED and are not seen to give your report within 15 minutes, contact your BC. He/she should try to resolve the problem.
• If the BC is unable to resolve the problem within 10 minutes, contact the Communications Center and ask for the Medical Director on call to contact you.
• When the Medical Director on call contacts you, tell them the situation.
• The Medical Director will take appropriate measures to resolve the situation.

As always, thank you for your excellent work!

Sincerely,

Todd M Husty, DO FACEP