responsibility of a doctor who called 911 to report a patient might take pills when not true

by Courtney Abernathy 10 min read

2098-If a doctor believes that a patient might hurt himself …

14 hours ago  · In addition, even where danger is not imminent, HIPAA permits a covered provider to communicate with a patient’s family members, or others involved in the patient’s care, to be on watch or ensure compliance with medication regimens, as long as the patient has been provided an opportunity to agree or object to the disclosure and no objection ... >> Go To The Portal


Does the police department answer 911 for medical calls?

Often, the police department will answer 911 initially, but then transfer the call to a medical dispatch center once they figure out you are having a medical emergency. An Ambulance Is on the Way... and Who Else?

Can a therapist be forced to report a patient who threatens someone?

A therapist may be forced to report information disclosed by the patient if a patient reveals their intent to harm someone else. However, this is not as simple as a patient saying simply they “would like to kill someone,” according to Jessica Nicolosi, a clinical psychologist in Rockland County, New York.

Why did a home health nurse call 911 for a child?

His​ family, along with a home health​ nurse, called 911 after the​ child's oxygen saturation began to fluctuate. The home health nurse reports that although the baby is on a​ ventilator, the nurse has been weaning him to lower intermittent mandatory ventilation settings.

What should you do when you call 911 for an emergency?

Many 911 centers will be able to tell you what to do until help arrives, such as providing step-by-step instructions to help someone who needs CPR or first aid, or who is choking. To prepare yourself and your family for an emergency, here are steps to take: Know where the closest emergency department is and the fastest way to get there.

What to do if your dog attacks paramedics?

If they will try to attack the paramedics or try to escape when the front door is opened, lock them up if you can. If you can't secure them, tell the dispatcher before the emergency crews arrive. Dealing with a chaotic pet can distract the paramedics from your medical care or put extra stress on you.

How many caregivers are on an ambulance?

Let's start by taking a look at 911 calls for medical emergencies . Most of the time, the ambulance isn't going to come without some help. There are usually two caregivers on an ambulance. Often, it's a paramedic and an EMT.

What is the first responder in a fire engine?

In most places, the first responders are firefighters in a fire engine, but it can also be a lone paramedic in an SUV or a police officer in a patrol car. In some parts of the country, it might be a whole slew of volunteer firefighter s in their own personal pickup trucks arriving well ahead of the ambulance.

What is an active shooter emergency?

Active shooter emergencies are violent attacks usually carried out by lone gunmen against unarmed groups of people in a public location. The way to respond to these incidents is to run if you can, hide if you can't, and fight if you have no other choice.

Do you hang up when you call 911?

Follow any instructions the 911 dispatcher has for you. Remember not to hang up. The ambulance can be on the way long before the dispatcher is finished asking you questions or giving you instructions. Before the first firefighter or paramedic walks in your door, make sure you have everything you need.

Do ambulances need to turn on the siren?

Indeed, maybe the ambulance doesn't even need to turn on the lights and siren. Regardless whether your medical condition is deemed an emergency where flashing lights and a wailing siren are necessary or not, there are a few things you can do while waiting for the ambulance to make the whole process smoother.

Should you hang up on 911?

Answer as clearly as you can and stay on the line. Never hang up until you are told to do so by the 911 dispatcher. That doesn't mean there aren't a few tips that can help ensure that help arrives as quickly as possible and brings the right equipment. Here are the two things you should really know when you make that call: ...

Why is it safer to call 911?

For certain medical emergencies, such as a heart attack or stroke, taking an ambulance is safer because paramedics can deliver life-saving care on the way to the hospital. Note: If you are not sure whether the situation is truly an emergency, call 911, and let the dispatcher decide whether you need emergency help.

What is the emergency number for abdominal pain?

Upper abdominal pain or pressure. Call your local emergency number (Such as 911) if the person you are helping: Is unconscious, gasping for air or not breathing, experiencing an allergic reaction, having chest pain, having uncontrollable bleeding, or any other symptoms that require immediate medical attention.

What are the signs of an emergency?

According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, these are all warning signs of a medical emergency: Sudden injury due to a motor vehicle accident, burns or smoke inhalation, ...

Why did the nurses call 911?

Nurses there called 911 because no doctors were present to treat Steve Spivey when he had breathing problems after spinal surgery. Credit... Brian Harkin for The New York Times. By Reed Abelson. April 2, 2007.

How many times has West Texas Hospital called 911?

According to Medicare’s review of state records, West Texas Hospital had called 911 for an ambulance 15 times to transfer patients during medical emergencies since it opened in May 2005. The hospital says that some of those calls may have involved routine transfers of patients to other hospitals. Some proponents of doctor-owned hospitals defend ...

Do hospitals have to meet the emergency needs of patients?

While Medicare’s rules currently say a hospital must “meet the emergency needs of patients in accordance with acceptable standards of practice,” the details are left largely to the hospital’s discretion. Federal and state officials say they are now reviewing the guidelines to toughen the rules and make them more specific.

Do small surgical hospitals have separate emergency rooms?

For example, small surgical hospitals may not have separate emergency facilities or, as in the Texas case, a doctor on site at all times during a patient’s recovery.

Does Medicare require hospitals to meet certain standards?

Medicare does require all hospitals to meet certain general standards, relying on the states or an independent national accrediting body called the Joint Commission to make sure hospitals meet the requirements . Beyond any changes Medicare might make, some states are also contemplating new rules.

When to Call for Help

The participants were presented with 12 common medical scenarios that may require urgent medical attention and asked to identify when they would call for an ambulance or take other action, such as seek medical advice, self-medicate, or do nothing.

When Not to Call an Ambulance

When it came to knowing when an ambulance was not needed, researchers found the results were not as promising. Most participants only correctly identified two out of the following seven non-urgent medical scenarios, and between 5% and 48% would have called for an ambulance in these cases:

What happens if a therapist fails to take reasonable steps to protect the intended victim from harm?

“If a therapist fails to take reasonable steps to protect the intended victim from harm, he or she may be liable to the intended victim or his family if the patient acts on the threat ,” Reischer said.

Should clients withhold anything from their therapist?

“Clients should not withhold anything from their therapist, because the therapist is only obligated to report situations in which they feel that another individual, whether it be the client or someone else, is at risk,” said Sophia Reed, a nationally certified counselor and transformation coach.

Can a therapist report a patient's intent to harm someone else?

A therapist may be forced to report information disclosed by the patient if a patient reveals their intent to harm someone else. However, this is not as simple as a patient saying simply they “would like to kill someone,” according to Jessica Nicolosi, a clinical psychologist in Rockland County, New York. There has to be intent plus a specific identifiable party who may be threatened.

Do therapists have to disclose information in court?

For instance, Reed noted that even if a wife is cheating on her husband and they are going through a divorce, the therapist has no legal obligation whatsoever to disclose that information in court. The last thing a therapist wants to do is defy their patient’s trust.

Do you have to report child abuse to a therapist?

“If a client experienced child abuse but is now 18 years of age then the therapist is not required to make a child abuse report, unless the abuser is currently abusing other minors,” Mayo said.

How does a firearm affect a physician?

Depending on their personal experience with guns, physicians might have varying levels of concern about or comfort with the implications of a firearm’s involvement in a given case . They might also be hesitant to question a patient further on the topic, as they might be concerned about offending the patient by asking about what many perceive to be a private issue. However, ascertaining the types of guns owned, how they are stored, and if the patient has any intentions of using them are important components of risk assessment.

Why is mandatory reporting required?

Mandatory reporting of persons believed to be at imminent risk for committing violence or attempting suicide can pose an ethical dilemma for physicians, who might find themselves struggling to balance various conflicting interests. Legal statutes dictate general scenarios that require mandatory reporting to supersede confidentiality requirements, but physicians must use clinical judgment to determine whether and when a particular case meets the requirement. In situations in which it is not clear whether reporting is legally required, the situation should be analyzed for its benefit to the patient and to public safety. Access to firearms can complicate these situations, as firearms are a well-established risk factor for violence and suicide yet also a sensitive topic about which physicians and patients might have strong personal beliefs.

Can a physician tell a patient that the information will be shared with another party?

In many cases, physicians might choose to tell the patient, as Dr. B did, that the information will be shared with another party.

Do medical laws fit into real life cases?

Despite their attempts at specificity, these laws often do not fit neatly onto real-life patient cases. In some jurisdictions, the statements made by the patient can meet the threshold at which a physician is mandated to report in order to warn or protect a potential victim.

Calling For Help

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First, calling for help can be scary and may even seem overwhelming at the time. It doesn't really matter how fast rescuers get to you; it will seem like an eternity. Don't panic. Remember, the person who answers the phone when you call 911 is trained to walk you through the process. Be calm and listen to the questions that they ask…
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An Ambulance Is on The way... and Who else?

  • As soon as it is clear to the dispatcher what type of emergency you are having and where you are located, he or she will start the crews rolling. Let's start by taking a look at 911 calls for medical emergencies.1 Most of the time, the ambulance isn't going to come without some help. There are usually two caregivers on an ambulance. Often, it's a paramedic and an EMT. On the way to the …
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What to Do While Waiting

  • Follow any instructions the 911 dispatcher has for you. Remember not to hang up. The ambulance can be on the way long before the dispatcher is finished asking you questions or giving you instructions. Before the first firefighter or paramedic walks in your door, make sure you have everything you need. Gather your medical information. Do you have any chronic illnesses, especi…
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What Happens When They Get there?

  • As soon as the paramedics or the firefighters walk in, they're going to take stock of the situation. They'll do it very quickly; you might not even notice it. They'll look around and note the conditions of your home. They'll look at your skin to see if you're flushed or pale. They'll notice whether your skin is dry or sweaty. Before they ask the first question or set their equipment down next to you, …
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When The Emergency Is Not Medical

  • Medical emergencies are only one kind of 911 call. Police and firefighters respond to plenty of other types of calls for help. How you behave in those situations depends entirely on what it is. There are too many different examples to go through every possibility here, but you can plan for a couple of common emergencies. Active shooter emergencies are violent attacks usually carried …
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