The Ethical Management of a Psychiatric Patient Disposition in the Emergency Department

Abstract

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.