Emergiblog is upset that nurses are being restricted in starting the initial workup for chest pain and obvious fractures.
I agree that this is ridiculous, especially in the emergency setting where every second counts.
Every nurse order eventually has to be signed by a physician. With overzealous regulation by JCAHO and hospital administrations, doctors are often looking over their shoulder, fearing the repercussions of any mistake.
This leads them to be overly cautious in seemingly routine situations.
