Pediatric Community

Hello!

I am wondering if anyone has an SOP, Policy, or Procedure they might be able to share with me about what to do if you have an adult patient present to your pediatric emergency department.

We're a freestanding pediatric facility and do not have any adult services, so we transfer out, but my leadership is looking to have a formalized SOP or something in place to describe this work.

Thanks!

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Elizabeth Leming BSN;BA;CCRN
Clinical Practice Specialist
Children's Minnesota
St Paul MN
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Hi Elizabeth,

We have an EMTALA policy at our pediatric hospital that outlines our responsibilities to provide a medical screening exam, provide stabilizing care within our means, and arrange for an appropriate transfer.  We document the name of the accepting physician before transfer. Our policy also requires every patient presenting is registered so we can document this entire process.  Our staff have to complete an EMTALA module on an annual basis.

We also have a code response team that responds to adult staff and visitor emergencies in the hospital. We have had to educate clinical staff and create pathways for common adult emergencies since our teams were not as familiar.

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Emily Dorosz MSN;RN;CPEN;CPN
Maryland State Council
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