Problem:
A 64-year-old patient presents to the emergency department (ED) with chest pressure. The ED provider evaluates the patient, continues appropriate initial management, and consults the on-call cardiologist. The patient is ordered to be admitted to the cardiac unit, but no beds are available, so the patient remains in the ED. The cardiologist completes the evaluation including EKG interpretation but leaves the ED. Several hours later, during an 80-minute period, the patient has worsening symptoms including acute breathing difficulty, increased chest pain, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. The ED provider manages the patient during this event, performing endotracheal intubation and 20 minutes of CPR. CPR is unsuccessful, and the patient is pronounced dead after 44 minutes of critical care time, exclusive of other billable services. Need Assignment Help?