'There have been cases in which liability has come back to the bartender and, in some cases, even to the bar,' Trosty says. The liability would be similar to a bartender who continues to serve patrons who have had too much to drink, then the patrons drive home and injure or kill themselves or others. When someone is injured in such a case, the facility may be sued, he warns. The accidents detailed in the study that fact, says Stephen Trosty, JD, MHA, CPHRM, risk management consultant in Haslett, MI. 7-9 'Home readiness is not equivalent to street fitness,' they say. Even after very short procedures, most patients aren't fully recovered by discharge, they say, citing other references.

3-6Įducate surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses on the importance of escorts, the authors advise. Actually, psychomotor impairment and cognitive deficits are common postoperatively, they say. 2Īnesthesia providers may wrongly think that short-acting anesthetics will wear off by discharge, or that the amount of sedation isn't enough to affect the patient's psychomotor function, the authors say. Think it can't happen in your facility? One survey indicated that 11% of anesthesiologists would be willing to anesthetize patients without an escort. 'Driving after ambulatory surgery cannot be considered safe, and caregivers need to verify a safe ride home,' they say. The authors recommend that patients not be discharged without an escort regardless of whether the patient receives general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, monitored anesthesia, or sedation.

Both patients drove themselves, had accidents, and sustained serious injuries. 1 The authors discuss two malpractice cases of patients who were discharged without an escort after ambulatory surgery procedures. Reluctantly, the case continues, and the patient drives himself home.Ī recent study indicates the results of this practice can be devastating. There is no cab or public transportation available. Despite the nurse's insistence, the patient indicates he doesn't have anyone who can escort him. Study shows accidents can occur - take steps to avoid liabilityĪn outpatient surgery patient shows up without an escort to drive him home.

What are your options when patients show up without an escort to drive?

Surgeon simulator call yourself