Patient Refusal

Course overview

Working in the field of EMS you may wonder if you are at risk of being sued if you don't transport every patienty you encounter to the hospital. This fear can be particularly intense when a patient decides to refuse your care after you've responded to the scene. Understanding the patient's rights and you legal and ethical responsibilities will help to mitigate this fear. You're unlikely to be sued successfully if you deliver emergency care within your scope of practice, follow your local protocols and state laws, and under the parameters within such a patient has the right to refuse your services.