January 5th, 2010 by Edwin Leap, M.D. in Better Health Network, Humor, True Stories
Tags: Addiction Medicine, Drug Seeker, Emergency Medicine, Identity Theft, Narcotics, Narcotics Seeker, Pain Medicine, Primary Care, Ruse, Trick
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My genius partner, RKM, was lately confronted by a patient seeking pain medication. Due to a very nice system instituted by the state of SC, providers can search for their patients’ prescription histories. Turns out this individual had received multiple narcotic prescriptions from multiple providers all over the state, and had done it using at least three separate addresses.
Ever the resourceful doc, my partner confronted this patient with the following information:
‘Sir, it appears that you have been the victim of identity theft! Fortunately, we were able to discover that someone has used your information to obtain narcotics under false pretense! But rest assured, we have contacted the authorities and we’ll catch the SOB who did this to you!’
He was met, I am told, by wide-eyed, open-mouthed silence.
No prescriptions were dispensed. Though it is entirely possible the patient will be needing a big bottle of Jim Beam for his nerves, and adult diapers for irritable bowel, for the next several weeks.
Bless you, RKM, for the theatrical, perfectly passive-aggressive genius you are!
Edwin
*This blog post was originally published at edwinleap.com*
January 4th, 2010 by Toni Brayer, M.D. in Better Health Network, Health Policy, True Stories
Tags: Blood Thinners, Clots, Complications, Dartmouth, Knee Replacement, Orthopedic Surgery, Pain Medicines, PE, Physical Therapy, Regional Variation, TKR
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It has been proven than there is tremendous variation in the practice of medicine across the United States. The Dartmouth data (Wennberg et al) has documented the differences in how medical resources are used and how different physicians practice medicine, depending upon where they live. The Dartmouth studies are mainly focused on cost and outcomes and make the case that improved quality is often inversely related to the cost of care. More (expensive) care is not necessarily better care.
Now that I am recovering from a total joint replacement, I am amazed to see the differences in how physicians, doing the same surgery, treat the patient. Total knee replacement (TKA) is one of the most common orthopedic procedures done today. Despite this, the patient cannot expect the same post op care. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at EverythingHealth*
January 3rd, 2010 by KerriSparling in Better Health Network, True Stories
Tags: Blood, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Finger Stick, insulin, Primary Care, Type 1 Diabetes
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You know you’re a diabetic when …
… a few blood stains on the computer power button are almost expected.
*This blog post was originally published at Six Until Me.*
January 3rd, 2010 by CodeBlog in Better Health Network, True Stories
Tags: Blogging, Nursing, Pain Management, Polite, Thank-You
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I took care of an elderly man recently. He’d been dealing with multiple medical problems for almost 30 years. Despite being in some very significant pain, he still made eye contact, still said “please” and “thank you.”
He wasn’t faking the pain. He was very stoic, but I could tell he was hurting. That tight-lipped grimace, the tachycardia, not moving a muscle unless it was absolutely necessary. Still, manners prevailed.
My colleagues and I went above and beyond for him and his family. There’s just something about being polite to others that makes those others want to help you and help you and help you some more.
I’m not saying that we don’t want to help those that aren’t overly polite. It was just nice to be treated, well, so nicely. I wouldn’t expect everyone in severe pain to maintain such decorum. Every once in awhile you just click with a patient and it makes being a nurse so enjoyable. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at code blog - tales of a nurse*
January 3rd, 2010 by GruntDoc in Better Health Network, True Stories
Tags: Anemia, Blood Tests, Computer Error, Emergency Medicine, Error, Hospital Error
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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*
