ER Scenario 3: Inappropriate Discharge

Information and Instructions

This scenario can result in failure to do a capacity assessment when there is valid reason to do so, putting the patient and others at risk, lack of resolution of symptoms, continued instability in the community, cycling illness and return to ER or a more tragic incident.

Level 1, 2 and 3 letters for this scenario are sent to the position/person you complain to. Identify the appropriate person to send the complaint to at the links below. You may have to phone the hospital, as leadership positions vary from facility to facility.

In Nova Scotia, depending on the hospital, the various level positions will be different. For example, the QE II will have an ER Doctor, Chief of ER and a CEO, whereas a regional hospital may have an ER Doctor, Chief of Staff and a Nova Scotia Health Zone VP as the three levels.

Instructions: Review the sample completed letter as an example of specific details that may be similar in your situation. Fill in those details in the appropriate places in the associated “Fill In” Letter. It is important to have names of doctors and other health care professionals you interacted with, dates and times of the interactions, details of relevant history, dates of incidents related to lack of appropriate care, and details on any harm that came to your loved one or someone else due to the lack of care. Subsequent letters to higher levels should refer to the Level 1 complaint and may not require the same level of detail.