EM Didactic - January 2, 2017 - By Noor M
"A lot of patients come to the emergency department with various issues ranging from a simple fever to other life-threatening conditions like arrhythmias etc. It’s the responsibility of the emergency physician to decide who needs to be admitted and which patients are safe to be discharged home. About 4 out of 5 patients who come to the ED are discharged home. Failure to provide safe discharge advice can have significant clinical as well as medico-legal consequences. A lack of understanding or providing discharge advice can cause avoidable return to the ED within 72 hours or more, medication non-compliance, dissatisfaction with the care, progression of the illness and even unexpected death...
Take home points:
1. Communication is the key.
2. Provide safe discharge advice to all patients getting discharged from the ED.
3. Clear verbal advice that is documented is better that written advice."