Question

An alert and oriented male patient with chest discomfort refuses treatment and transport to the hospital. He is angry with his family for calling 911 and refuses to sign the refusal of care form despite several requests. Which of these is your next best​ action?

A.Have a family member sign as a witness to the​ father's refusal
B.Carefully restrain the patient and place him on the stretcher for transport
C.Call dispatch on a recorded telephone line and notify the dispatcher of the situation prior to departing the scene
D.Contact the police to place the patient into protective custody

Answer 1

Call dispatch on a recorded line to report the patient's refusal of care, ensuring an official record and respecting the patient's autonomy while documenting the incident.

Step-by-step explanation:

When an alert and oriented male patient with chest discomfort refuses treatment and transport, and he also refuses to sign a refusal of care form, the next best action is to call dispatch on a recorded telephone line to notify the dispatcher of the situation prior to departing the scene. This ensures that there is an official record of the patient's refusal of care and the efforts made by the emergency medical professionals to obtain consent. It is important to respect the patient's autonomy while also taking steps to protect yourself and your team legally by documenting the incident thoroughly.