I did a post a little while ago about three instances where on call specialists refused to either come in and see or to treat patients in the ER. The first case involved the neurosurgeon who did not want to disrupt his Sunday evening respite to come in a help us tap a cranial ventricular catheter. He still refused even when the assistant director of the dept of medicine politely asked him to come in and help. It would have taken him all of 20 minutes. This was the latest in a string of instances where he has refused to come in when asked by us – for anything from epidural bleeds (“just transfer ‘em”), massive head trauma (“it will be a waste of time”), VP shunt obstruction (“it’s in my contract that I don’t have to deal with shunts put in at other hospitals”),to possible spinal chord compressions (“I won’t come in til there is an MRI”). Anyway, she got very angry and has now made it her mission to get this guy officially reprimanded by the hospital (and hopefully fined) or to get him thrown off staff. She reported him to the CEO and to the medical executive committee. I just found out the other day the the long-time director of medicine is stepping down and that the irate assistant director is assuming his place. This ass may finally get his comeuppance! Now I feel like she can truly put the rack to him! I wonder if he figured he could just say what he wanted to say and refuse to come in just because he is a big-ass neurosurgeon and she is just some “little medicine doctor”. I am waiting to get the call to testify against him – it can’t come soon enough!
Glad to hear justice might be done! But my friend, “desserts” is spelled with 2 s’s. Although I wouldn’t mind seeing this guy get sent to a desert…
You’re right – my bad! Correction made.
Paging Dr. Schadenfreude, we have a case of karma that needs your attention.
I am so glad I don’t live any where near your hospital- In fear that I might need neuro attention.
What a total ASS!
Unfortunately though, there are other Holier than thou specialists out there wasting our air!
He probably thinks he’s safe because of the shortage of neurosurgeons. I imagine the hospital would prefer to have one on staff.
If Dr Asshat, neurologist,is booted by your hospital, it is truly sad to think he will pack up his arrogant attitude and find some other hospital where he can resume treating peers and patients in the same manner. There ought to be a sh*t list for drs like that, modelled after the one(s) for drug seeking pts that play ED roulette…
Ku, he is a neurosurgeon, not a neurologist (who are pretty much never as stuck-up as the pentultimate of arroagnace which neurosurgeons occupy). And interestingly, the hospital finally got a new, rival neurosurgical group on staff – I imagine they will soon be getting all the consults.