This I found on JEMS forum, but it would apply to any provider:
I understand what they mean, but after reading a lot of the posts there and the different opinions/disagreements it might be better to think to yourself Stable or not? Since we have some nurses here (not me), I’ll give an example using a nurse, even though I have a few different areas where I have degrees -never got a nursing degree, but I considered it more than once.
Btw, I’m just making this up as I go along. Anyway the head nurse sends you over to assess Mary who was just brought in complaining of you name it -everything & anything. You walk over and as soon as you open the curtain Mary sits straight -bolt up and says “I can’t believe the service in this hospital. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting here?”
Stable or Not? (Sick or not?)
Also, what’s the next step?
#2. The head nurse sends you over to assess Gertrude who was making a nusiance of herself in the nursing home and they got tired of her and shipped her to your ER (or ED for those who like to be technically correct). You open the curtain and Gertrude is lying there and you hear gurgling every couple of seconds.
Stable or Not?
Also, what’s the next step?