E.R. Patients Often Left Confused After Visits

[groovedaddy]

A vast majority of emergency room patients are discharged without understanding the treatment they received or how to care for themselves once they get home, researchers say. And that can lead to medication errors and serious complications that can send them right back to the hospital.

In a new study, researchers followed 140 English-speaking patients discharged from emergency departments in two Michigan hospitals and measured their understanding in four areas — their diagnosis, their E.R. treatment, instructions for their at-home care and warning signs of when to return to the hospital.

The study, published online in July by the Annals of Emergency Medicine, found that 78 percent of patients did not understand at least one area and about half did not understand two or more areas. The greatest confusion surrounded home care — instructions about things like medications, rest, wound care and when to have a follow-up visit with a doctor.

“We’re finding that people are just not prepared for self-care, and that’s what is bringing them back,” said Dr. Eric Coleman, director of the Care Transitions Program at the University of Colorado, who was not involved in the study.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/16/health/16emer.html?th&emc=th

[lilymidnite]

1. My husband was released from ER ...

... last year, only to end up in there again within 24 hours (and sub sequentially admitted to hospital for 12 days). He had terrible chest pains caused by pulmonary embolism. They drugged him until the pain was "bearable" and said *nothing* about what to watch for. Thankfully, we got him back to hospital and he did not die.

[groovedaddy]

2. My sister-in-laws father went to e r a few years ago feeling very badly.

They couldn't figure anything out and sent him home, still feeling bad. His then wife read the pamphlets on the drugs he was taking. 2 of the drugs should not have been prescribed together. As soon as he stopped taking one of them, the symptoms went away. The e r NEVER asked what drugs he was taking!

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

3. That's a terrible miss I hope you didn't get a bill.

If you did you should see an attorney.

David

[MountainLaurel]

4. I have to wonder

To what extent the amount of time most people spend in the ER plays a role. After you've been waiting 2 hours in a room for someone to return with your lab results (after the hour you waited for the specimen jar after the two hours you sat in the waiting room), you just want to get the hell out of there as soon as possible, so as the healthcare practitioners are explaining things, you're thinking "Shut the fuck up and get me out of here."

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

5. Our biggest ER, one of 6 in the city just started a new program,,,

They call every patient within 16 hours of them leaving the ER to see if they understand the instructions, have their medication, are experiencing any problems. They have caught quite a few mistakes, wrong medications, etc.

David

[beam me up scottie]

6. That's an excellent policy.

My doctor's office did that last year after my surgery.

[supernova]

7. That's a terrific idea

Because most of the time, it's only after you're home and trying to follow diretions that you realize you didn't understand everything or missed something.

Also, sending people home with written instructions for meds, appliances, and wound care also helps.