I don’t know what goes through people’s heads sometimes. While I do appreciate that people may think I have incredible deductive reasoning powers, realise that this is an Emergency Room and I am not Dr House!
I hate it when people come in with some random complaint (doesn’t really matter what it is) that has been worked up the wazoo already. I mean, if you have been to um-teen dozen specialists and sub-specialists to evaluate your _______pain/problem/discomfort and they have not been able to find the answer despite tons of blood work, imaging studies, and other tests, why would you think I will suddenly have a diagnosis with my limited resources, time, and scope of practise?!?!
I am truly sorry that no one has been able to work out what subtype of autoimmune disease you have or whether or not you really have a rare form of acquired Maple Syrup Urine Disease, but I am sad to report that I am not going to figure it out either during your ER visit! I can reassure you that you are not going to die in the foreseeable nearby future due to an emergent or urgent condition, but that is it!
Next!
Patients always think you can read minds/auras and see into the past as well as the future.
My favorite line is “when can I go back to work?”
Well…that would depend of course on what you DO for a living…so I don’t know if the 7 sutures on your hand is going to permanently end your hand modeling career or if they will only be a momentary set back for you as a hockey coach.
I guess the good news is…they WANT to go back to work.
I wish I could let go like that. I am one of the admitting docs for our referral veterinary hospital and I feel compelled to figure everything out…set up the case for the internal medicine and surgery specialists. Luckily, I have a great internal med guy that never faults me for only getting half the work up done…have to get to the ones dying the fast first.
Your post hits it on the head. Recently, I had a guy with a recent bipolar diagnosis with a huge workup behind him (MRI, lumbar puncture, labs, etc.) with a diagnosis made by two independent psychiatrists. However, the family wanted to bring him to the ER for “another opinion.” Thank you, family! LOL
Have a good weekend.
You mean you’re not God? You can’t do it all? You don’t know everything?
/end sarcasm.
Ahhh, not so fast Dr. Not-House. That Maple Syrup Urine disease could also be a false positive result as a result of a breastfeeding mother or child taking fenugreek- an herbal supplement that helps lactating women produce more milk, and gives off a distinct maple syrup aroma. (and can cause breastfed babies to test positive for MSUD) (Nursed three kiddos, got tired of smelling like a damn waffle house!)
But yes, I agree- its called an…..EMERGENCY…..room.
Even more entertaining is when the nursing home calls at 3 AM for something like abnormal lab values, when the patient’s doctor examined the patient during regular business hours.
Not exactly the patient to rush in with the difibrillator already fully charged and the paddles in front of me, or so they keep telling me. They don’t appreciate that I’m just trying to put things in perspective.
This is great (and sad). I am always amazed at the stories my friends/coworkers/etc tell me about why they went to the ER. Its for emergencies, not a bad case of acne, standard childhood illnesses (seriously, you need an ER doc to diagnose chickenpox??), or ‘i don’t feel good’ complaints. I feel so sorry for the ER docs that have to put up with these people!