We are a level 3 with the same problem. On our last visit the reviewers stated if a PA was present
in the ED who was ATLS that would be OK.
Our 1 physician coverage is only 2 hours from 7 – 9am. We are currently working on having the
hospitalists respond to in-house codes rather than the ED physician.
Good Luck,
Margot
Margot
Daugherty, RN
Trauma
Program Manager
Middletown
Regional Hospital
105
McKnight Drive
Middletown
OH 45044
513-420-5186
513-420-5753
(fax)
-----Original
Message-----
From: Snow Morrison [mailto:smorriso@washoehealth.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2003
7:17 PM
To: Trauma Nurses (E-mail)
Subject: [traumanurses] ED
Physician Coverage
Hi
all
Our last
review, 2002, the reviewer noted we had only one ED physician on at night from
2am to 5am. He also noted this ED physician responded to patients who
coded in the hospital during those hours leaving the ED uncovered for the
duration of the code. His question to us was "What happens when a
Level 1 trauma comes in and the ED MD is somewhere else in the
hospital?"
This time
period in the morning doesn't warrant 2 ED physician coverage. Our trauma
surgeon is in house, but doesn't sleep in the ED. He sleeps about 5 min
away. We are the only trauma center around and see 2200 to 2500 trauma
patients a year. We also do not have residents, all our Doc's are private
practice who take trauma call. If you are a similar center could you let
me know how you handle this.
1. Do you have
2 ED docs on at all times?
2. Does someone
else respond to codes in your hospital?
Any help with
this topic would be greatly appreciated.
