January 10th, 2010 by GruntDoc in Better Health Network, True Stories
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A patient comes in with the entirely understandable complaint of “I have a fishbone lodged in my throat”. Came straight from dinner to the ED. When I ask a stupid question I’m given a stupid answer: “It feels like…a fishbone…”. Duh on me.
Now, I went to a pretty good EM residency, and while there I learned two things: the books say fishbones don’t show up on x-rays of the neck, and, fishbones sometimes show up on x-rays. I’m about 70% positive in my career…
So, I got an xray. See if you can spot the fishbone (hint: there’s an arrow pointing at it…)
So, it’s there… Now what… There are very few wrong answers. Call ENT, etc. My answer: go get it. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at GruntDoc*
January 3rd, 2010 by GruntDoc in Better Health Network, True Stories
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It’s going to take a while to draw all those labs. And the patient will probably need a transfusion at the end of it.
(Reportedly the printer engaged itself in a loop and printed out blood culture label sets 25 times, so don’t panic).
*This blog post was originally published at GruntDoc*
December 13th, 2009 by GruntDoc in Better Health Network, News
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Horrible.
Perry doctor killed by patient
SUSPECT HAD BEEN REFUSED PAIN PILLS EARLIER IN DAY
By Dori Hjalmarson, Bill Estep and Karla Ward – dhjalmarson@herald-leader.com
CORNETTSVILLE — A man seeking prescription painkillers shot and killed a doctor at a Perry County medical clinic Tuesday morning, according to state police. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at GruntDoc*
December 6th, 2009 by GruntDoc in Better Health Network, Humor, True Stories
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I like living on the edge of built-up civilization, but it means our little development has one electric line coming in.
Today it wanted some time off, fortunately only 4 hours. Didn’t get that cold inside, but having an all electric house has some drawbacks in that circumstance.
My wife figured out the electric-less coffee, thankfully.
*This blog post was originally published at GruntDoc*
November 9th, 2009 by GruntDoc in Better Health Network, News
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Wow. Just wow:
Hospital bill stuns slain student’s parents
By Sam Stanton
“It was just devastating and insulting,” Gerald Hawkins said Monday. “It’s just hard to grasp for words. My wife and I were near collapse.”
On Saturday, 10 days after Scott Hawkins was beaten to death inside his dormitory at California State University, Sacramento, his parents got a letter in the mail.
It contained a bill from the UC Davis Medical Center for $29,186.50 along with a form letter addressed “Dear Patient” that implied they were indigent and stated that the hospital no longer could provide them services.
“UC Davis can no longer provide follow-up care or any other non-emergency care to you,” it read. “Please go to a County clinic for all non-emergency care or to get a referral to another doctor.”
For Gerald and Elizabeth Hawkins, it was just too much to bear.
Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at GruntDoc*
