Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Dear Dr. Dumpster,

I appreciate you sending Mr. Etoh to my practice.

We had an appointment scheduled for him, but after further review of your notes I cancelled it, as I feel seeing him at this time won't be possible.

It was very helpful that you sent his MRI reports, and the EMG findings, and the list of medications he'd tried in the past.

But most helpful was the handwritten note (and I recognize your handwriting) on the last page of the fax, which simply stated "December 14, 2009. Mr. Etoh came to appointment inebriated and punched receptionist. Police notified, patient fired from practice. Told to see a neurologist, given Dr. Grumpy's name."

Anyway, it looks like I'm not currently accepting his insurance, whatever it is (even if it's cash), and have referred him to my former colleagues at Humungous Neurology, Inc.

Wishing you a Merry Christmukah,

Ibee Grumpy, M.D.
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23 comments:

  1. CelesteDecember 23, 2009 at 9:45 AM

    I love that you stand up for your staff and won't take a risk on a repeat of this man's behavior. I'm also glad the handwritten information was shared with you in time to avoid harm to any of your staff. Close call!

    ReplyDelete
  2. myoclonicjerkDecember 23, 2009 at 10:08 AM

    I'm disappointed in Dr. Dumpster. If he truly wanted to step up to his title, he would have buried that little addendum, in fine print.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Grumpy, M.D.December 23, 2009 at 10:10 AM

    Yeah, I think it wasn't supposed to be sent.

    ReplyDelete
  4. stewbertDecember 23, 2009 at 11:08 AM

    That's hilarious that he included it, and good for you for canceling the appointment and keeping your staff safe! Wow.

    ReplyDelete
  5. LilorfnannieDecember 23, 2009 at 11:17 AM

    Maybe the receptionist that got punched "accidentally" included that handwritten bit when she faxed it to you!!

    Yeah, like the others said- close call, & good for you standing up for your staff!!

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  6. Grumpy, M.D.December 23, 2009 at 11:20 AM

    I will ALWAYS stand up for my staff.

    They are my friends and extended family.

    Without them I wouldn't have a practice.

    ReplyDelete
  7. KimDecember 23, 2009 at 11:23 AM

    Doc, I sincerely hope that when I graduate from Hygiene school, I'm privileged enough to find employment with a dentist who values his staff the way you value yours!

    ReplyDelete
  8. OMDGDecember 23, 2009 at 11:36 AM

    Wouldn't he be Dr. Dump-er? You'd be Dr. Dumpster in this case.... Lucky you!

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  9. Grumpy, M.D.December 23, 2009 at 11:50 AM

    Old MD Girl- Good point. But Dumpster sounded less excretory.

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  10. ndenunzDecember 23, 2009 at 12:22 PM

    Let me guess- Dr. Dumpster gives you about two referrals a year and both of them are these type of "stellar patients". With referring Dr.s like this who needs enemies?

    ReplyDelete
  11. OMDGDecember 23, 2009 at 12:28 PM

    Perhaps Dr. Dump-er deserved the name. So nice of him to pass his belligerent problem patient on to another unsuspecting doctor's office!

    ReplyDelete
  12. mommy-medicDecember 23, 2009 at 12:28 PM

    Whaaa????

    what a great blog story his visit would have made though!!! Just have the mace on hand.....

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. The Rizesse ManDecember 23, 2009 at 1:38 PM

    Do any of the doctors at Humungous Neurology, Inc., have a blog?

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousDecember 23, 2009 at 2:30 PM

    I wish some of my past employers had stood up for their workers like you do!

    To that, I will wish that your Diet Coke always be fizzy and delicious!

    (Why does that sound wrong?)

    ReplyDelete
  15. ignorantDecember 23, 2009 at 4:00 PM

    If the patient had not been violent, what can you as a neurologist do for an alcoholic?

    Or did he have other problems, as well?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Grumpy, M.D.December 23, 2009 at 4:06 PM

    He had other issues, but I don't want to deal with a patient of this sort, regardless of what they have.

    ReplyDelete
  17. ERRN4UDecember 23, 2009 at 4:18 PM

    Just out of curiosity is the dumping doctor obligated by law to refer the patient he fired to another practitioner? Or is it just a (ahem) "courtesy". In other words can you fire a patient for just cause?

    Seems to me that it then becomes the responsibility of the patient to find new care -- after he gets out of jail for assault.

    Sallie

    ReplyDelete
  18. Grumpy, M.D.December 23, 2009 at 4:19 PM

    ERRN4U- varies from state-to-state. Here it's a "courtesy". Or, in this case, a discourtesy.

    ReplyDelete
  19. GeePeeDecember 23, 2009 at 4:38 PM

    So are your colleagues at Humungous Neurology, Inc. going to form the same opinion of you that you now have of Dr. Dumpster?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Grumpy, M.D.December 23, 2009 at 4:42 PM

    GP- Who cares? In the part of town they practice they have security guards in the lobby.

    ReplyDelete
  21. The Evil ReceptionistDecember 23, 2009 at 7:24 PM

    I once had a pain management patient throw her keys at me through my window because *I* wouldn't change the date on her prescription. I picked up her keys and put them in my drawer, which enraged her even more.

    I told her she could have them back when she apologized. She's still a patient there, amazingly enough.

    ReplyDelete
  22. donnaDecember 23, 2009 at 11:48 PM

    OMG !! My mouth is still open! One
    question: What in the world did you
    do to this doctor? JK I know from
    being a grumphite that the freaks,
    mental/demented, and those with very
    simple minds without the benefit of
    an illness....FLOCK to you droves!
    Oh, the humanity.

    Wonderful Christmas and a safe and
    happy new year to you and yours.
    Also the same shout out to fellow
    Grumphites.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Doctor DDecember 25, 2009 at 3:41 PM

    Lemme guess, Mr. EtOH was being referred to Neurology to work up his "unexplained falls" right?

    It never ceases to amaze me how many million dollar syncope work-ups are done on drunktards! It strikes me that the blood alcohol level of 300 explains the fall well enough.

    ReplyDelete

So wadda you think?