Monday, March 15, 2010

Hmmmm

Like most neurologists, I read EEG's (brainwave tests). Usually the study is accompanied by a note from the tech, listing the reason for the test, the patient's other medical issues, and their medications.

So one of the studies I read tonight had this note attached:

"Has history of seizures. EEG ordered to see if patient is safe to drive. She has diabetes, high blood pressure, and is blind."

29 comments:

  1. so...I wonder if the insurance company will refuse to pay for that one?

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  2. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say the patient is not safe to drive.

    <>< Katie

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  3. not being a doctor, im just going to take a stab at this and say... uh, no....? Jeez...


    Uro*Ma

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  4. Yes, of course an EEG is needed to find out if she is safe to drive ... we like blind drivers on our roads!!!!!!!!

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  5. That would be a
    Note from Tech: FAIL.
    Please (for our benefit only!) ask the patient when/if you see them what mode of transport they used get to their apppointment..(-:

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  6. Shouldn't let those diabetics and High BP folks behind the wheel.
    Love, Lo

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  7. Is that how a tech calls a doctor an idiot?

    WV: fooket. No comment necessary.

    Hopalong Ginsberg

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  8. I sure am glad somebody decided to run tests to make sure her seizures weren't going to interfere with her driving while blind. At least we know she'll be able to access her money at the drive up ATM's.

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  9. I'd leave a note for that tech:

    "Yeah, patient is safe to drive. We could use a few more blind drivers on the road...I have no problem having them drive me...'cuz you're driving me crazy."

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  10. not a problem. next.

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  11. But if her EEG's normal then she's good to go! (face palm).

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  12. Blind?! Omfg, seriously?! The stupidity has rendered me speechless.

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  13. sounds like everyone on the road out here!

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  14. The tech didn't do anything wrong here. They just do the test.

    It's the physician who ordered it for driving purposes on a blind person who's in question.

    And EEG's generally aren't as important to the driving question as whether the patient has had any recent seizures.

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  15. There's a reason they put braille on the drive-thru tellers.

    =)

    -Flavius

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  16. I'm going to hope this is a dragonism. Hope.

    Otherwise, I feel much better about foisting my teenagers on the driving public.

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  17. Maybe the patient is a bat and uses sonar.

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  18. Science Marches OnMarch 16, 2010 at 9:58 AM

    I'll bet the tech was smart enough to skip photic stimulation.

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  19. EEG ordered to see if patient is safe to drive

    Well, the times I have been through the DRIVE THROUGH Atm at the bank, instructions are provided in braille. :) Does that count?

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  20. Of course this might just be a "subtle" hint from the ordering Physician who knows the patient is unfit to drive but wants someone else to deliver the verdict.

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  21. Pt must live in Florida

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  22. Reminds me of an episode of Mythbusters. They used a closed course, and Jamie gave intructions to a blind man in the driver's seat. He did quite well, actually.

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  23. The patient/driver would fit right in here in Missouri!

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  24. I assume you passed him with a caveat of: "may not operate a vehicle on public loads".

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  25. I understand you practice in New York State?

    NY has a law on the books specifically prohibiting blind persons from having a drivers' license.

    "Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Part, if the department has received notification that the applicant or licensee has been certified legally blind, such certification may provide grounds for refusal to issue an original or renewal driver license and any current driver license or learner's permit may be suspended." -- 15 NYCRR 1.A.5.10

    So regardless of the EEG, his patient ain't gonna get a license. So why bother?

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So wadda you think?