Citation

Johnson R, Trimble C. JACEP 1975; 4(4): 333-335.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1975, American College of Emergency Physicians, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0361-1124(75)80086-4

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The management of the verbally abusive and uncooperative emergency department patient is discussed. The authors recommend the use of basonable therapeutic restraint to allow examination and treatment. A signed form stating that the patient left the emergency department against medical advice does not protect the physician or hospital in a Malpractice suit. Four cases describing the handling of verbally abusive patients and the subsequent outcomes are reported.