wolfwyndd
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That might be great advice for the area where you are, but around here, our hospitals run the gambit from 1st class to . . . . . . . I wouldn't take my DOG there.If the pt does not have a choice or can not decide, then offer closest ED.
It is bad practice to refer one ED over another. If a pt asks your opinion, just explain that you can not offer it. Give them the options and let them choose!
You are right about protocols in some respect. Serious trauma's get taken the the trauma center. Beyond that, it's open to patient choice. So what happens when someone just 'driving through' has a medical emergency? They aren't going to be able to know what hospitals are around. If someone asks us what hospital WE RECOMMEND, we'll tell them what we think based on their chief complaint, signs and symptoms. NOT based on what kind of EMS room the hospital has. IMO some of our northern area hospitals would be able to take care of a sprained ankle, but I certainly wouldn't take someone having a suspected MI to them.