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Call for ED patient charter

Case Management Weekly, October 16, 2007

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An emergency physicians group is attempting to build support for a charter of patient rights, including an entitlement to move from the ED to inpatient status on admission. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) said it was reaching out to patient and consumer groups to finalize the 'Statement of Rights'.

"Emergency physicians believe emergency patients and their families should have access to timely emergency care, essential equipment, medical specialists, privacy, and dignity," said Linda Lawrence, MD, ACEP president, in a statement. "If a patient has been admitted to the hospital, he or she should be cared for in an inpatient hospital unit, not 'boarded' in the emergency department."

The announcement followed the release of survey results showing that 80% of emergency physicians had 'grave concerns' about the crowded conditions in their departments. Of the nearly 1,500 polled, 200 said that they knew of a patient who had died while waiting for an inpatient bed.

Source: American College of Emergency Physicians

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