I understand the concerns about narcotic abuse. I was there, in residency 24 years ago, when the mantra was ‘you don’t do enough for pain.’ We all did more. Now, all these years later, we’re told ‘you do too much for pain! What were you thinking?’ It’s all madness.
But what I find a little troubling is a tendency I see now in the various hospitals where I work. That is, a patient comes in with what seems to be legitimate pain. I order pain medication. And I am told, ‘he can’t have it until he has a ride.’ Sometimes the complaint is deception. Often, the complaint is legitimate.
The official policy most places, however, is ‘no ride, no meds.’ This seems unduly harsh to me. I understand, dear nurses, that you don’t want to have to babysit for hours. I don’t either. And I understand liability. Still, there are times when people are hurting. Kidney stones, for instance, or fractures. They genuinely need a medication but they either came by EMS or drove themselves and can’t drive home.
I’m not trying to blame anyone. But can we all put our heads together and find a better way to do this? A more compassionate way to do it?
I’m no starry-eyed simpleton. People abuse drugs and use the ED to get those drugs.
THANK YOU! I so agree. Medicate the patient and take some time to help them find a ride home. I think it is cruel to make people suffer. I once heard a patient say, “I will walk home if necessary”. Really? Most hospitals have a “slush” fund or taxi vouchers that could and should be used when needed. And often it is the nurses who are the worst. After 40 years as an ED nurse, it still baffles me when the issue is a “ride” and not pain relief. Jeeesh.
Gretchen, I’ve seen hospitals give out the cash many a night. But less so lately. Maybe the budget crunches have made them less likely to do so? I don’t know. But we can’t let people suffer while they try to locate a ride. I agree, it’s just not fair.
Phil Norris, PA-C
9 years ago
Amen. Treat the pain, arrange transportation later. Unless the patient is a lawyer; no pain medication for lawyers. ; )
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THANK YOU! I so agree. Medicate the patient and take some time to help them find a ride home. I think it is cruel to make people suffer. I once heard a patient say, “I will walk home if necessary”. Really? Most hospitals have a “slush” fund or taxi vouchers that could and should be used when needed. And often it is the nurses who are the worst. After 40 years as an ED nurse, it still baffles me when the issue is a “ride” and not pain relief. Jeeesh.
Gretchen, I’ve seen hospitals give out the cash many a night. But less so lately. Maybe the budget crunches have made them less likely to do so? I don’t know. But we can’t let people suffer while they try to locate a ride. I agree, it’s just not fair.
Amen. Treat the pain, arrange transportation later. Unless the patient is a lawyer; no pain medication for lawyers. ; )
Phil, thanks for the note. And for the great reminder about how to triage the Morphine! Take care friend!