Improper consultation process in emergency departments and its medico-legal aspects

Abstract

A talented and well-informed emergency physician (EP) should be competent to evaluate and organize any necessary procedure to emergent patients in a short period. Death, organ failure and dysfunction should be avoided within this considerable time frame and the aim should be directed to re-acquire the patients’ previous social life. Although physicians’ referral right (consultation) constitutes an important role in the continuity of emergency department (ED) patient management, troubles at consultation and with consultants arise when managing, evaluating and treating the emergent patients in the health care facilities of Turkey. We present a case based on the information obtained from the Supreme Council of Health records. Although the patient presented to the hospital consulted with multi-consultants, at last no decision was taken and is resulted with death. Interdisciplinary consultation system in emergency medicine will be discussed in this case report.