This case examines the ethical issue of the disposition of a patient who presents in the emergency room with a psychotic disorder when a nurse practitioner is given the autonomy to determine disposition of a patient and the attending physician disagrees. Therein lies the dilemma of an NP lacking emergency psychiatric admitting privileges. The NP ethically needs to continue to act as a patient advocate to ensure patient safety and best outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Lovrin, M.,
& Reinisch, C.
(2007).
The Ethical Management of a Psychiatric Patient Disposition in the Emergency Department.
Journal of Health Ethics, 4(2).
http://dx.doi.org/10.18785/ojhe.0402.03