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Question

what are patients rights regarding emergency care in fl.?

Submitted: 343 days and 3 hours ago.

Category: Health

Value: $9

Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION

Age: 50; Female, Florida

Already Tried:
i went to the er oct 25 for a shattered wrist. as i have no ins., i was sent home with a referral to an orto surg. not having ins., i still have not seen a doc for follow up care. don't hospitals have to treat people, regardless of their ability to pay?

Posted by Schuyler_ANP 343 days and 3 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello,

Welcome to Just Answer and thanks for your question. You mention you were sent home. Did they do xrays and immobilize your wrist?

343 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

yes. xrays showed radius was fractured completely across, then splintered down the bone. doc said surgery would definitely be needed, with external appliances quite possible. they splinted the arm, told me to follow up in 2 days.

Answer

Thanks for the additional information. I was afraid from your question that they had not treated you.

What you experienced is standard procedure for an ER. They do what is needed to stabilize the emergency, and send you back to a specialist for the actual "fixing" of whatever was found wrong. In your case, the orthopedic surgeon would need to operate to fix the fracture.

Emergency rooms/hospitals do not directly employ orthopedic surgeons. The hospital has orthopedists who are allowed to practice and operate on their premises, but they have no one who actually works for them that could fix your fracture right there. All ERs refer back to the community specialist of your choosing. Most specialists will work on a payment plan with you, and all accept credit cards. You may want to explore treatment with a public or charity clinic to see if that would be cheaper for you.

Accepts:
Expert:	Schuyler_ANP
Pos. Feedback:	99.5 %
Answered:	12/14/2008

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Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, MS, RN. Private practice and hospitalist experience.

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