June 2020
Date: 01 June 2020
- Details:
A family member had called 111 on behalf of the patient, an 83-year-old woman.
The ambulance crew did not enter the patient’s property but spoke to her at the doorway. They told her it was not an emergency and to call 111, then left.
There was no formal assessment, no observations carried out or any paperwork filled out.
It also transpired that the family could not get the patient into their car and that she had needed an ambulance some hours later.
- Findings:
On arrival the of crew, the patient opened the door and the conversation started on the doorstep. She declined to be further assessed inside the property, and so to avoid unnecessary breaches of social distancing/COVID-19 guidelines the crew did not enter the property, as were the wishes of the patient at the time.
In order to undertake an assessment of a patient the crew required consent from the patient. As she was fully conscious and able to make informed decisions at the time, she declined to be assessed stating that she did not want to go to hospital.
The crew then left the scene advising her to call 111.
- Lesson learnt / action taken:
The crew were interviewed under the Trust’s ‘Variations in Clinical Practice and Clinical Competence’ policy. They have been given further guidance around when a patient refuses an assessment or treatment and how worsening advice is given in a way not to cause any confusion for patients or their families.
The staff members were guided through reflective accounts and produced a written Personal Reflection piece for their own learning and development.
- Date:01 June 2020