Friday, June 11, 2010

Attention patients!

The emergency room is for EMERGENCIES!!!

I'm sorry if you're frantic to have your test results back from Local MRI, but going to the ER, hoping that maybe they'll be able to get them faster for you, for the same damn symptoms you saw me for 2 days ago in my office, is an absolute waste of everyone's time and money, including YOURS.

In fact, we'd already left a message on your answering machine AND voice mail that the test was fine (surprisingly, it even showed a brain), but you'd already gone to the ER for this incredibly stupid reason, and had turned off your cell phone when you got there.

16 comments:

Tanya said...

(Sorry for the double post, if it occurs)

That's the trouble with today's 24/7 culture - people don't develop any sort of patience, because they don't need to.

It could've been worse, though - what if she'd phoned your office every 5 mins to see if you;d received them yet? Mary would *not* be happy.

Mop said...

And were you called in to the ER for this consult too? That would have been funny.

Albinoblackbear said...

At least they turned off their cell in the ER.

That proves at least reptilian brain functioning intact.

*facepalm*

(On the upside, in the US the pt/insurance companies pay for it...in Canada we all get to pay for this kind of studpidity).

JoAnna Wahlund said...

"surprisingly, it even showed a brain..."

This cracked me up.

Sparky Barksdale said...

This is the same person who grumbles that they haven't been seen faster when I've just staggered out of a full trauma on a kid who has been run over by a car. Oh, the fantasies I have of the things I will say and do on my last day as an ER nurse...they bring me joy.

Anonymous said...

Well, at least they had the courtesy to turn the phone off. That's a rarity. Most jackholes are on the damn phone yapping away. Or interrupt your assessment to answer the stupid thing!!
Sallie

Uro*MA said...

Do you also get the patients that want to cancel their appt but still want the results? Ugh!! That is so annoying... It's not like we make appts for the fun of it!

Albinoblackbear said...

Hahah. Joke is on me for spelling 'stupid' wrong.

I blame it on too many hours staring at the medulla.

Make. Next. Week. Oveeerrrrrrrr....

Anonymous said...

And I bet they're upset that everything WAS normal on the MRI...I know a few people/idiots that get upset cause some blood/mri/other tests come back normal, when you think they would be happy, and they're convinced that the doctor has no idea what they're doing, eventhough they have nothing to do with the results...some people just make no sense...

Hirra said...

patience is a virtue and most people just don't have it

Captain Crab said...

Working in an Air Force ER 40 years ago, I learned ............

never mind, it would take an effing book to tell.

Anonymous said...

Damn, DAMN, Double-Damn EMTALA!! We have absolutely, positively got to rework ER processes. Get an inital exam, and if life or limb are not in danger....home you go, or cough up the $500 or so deposit to be seen over in the "Minor Illness" wing.

And the above would also apply to Medicaid patients....even if it is only a $5.00 fee, it would put some "skin in the game" for these folks. How much longer can three or four hard working adults support ten or twelve freeloaders and malingerers!!

Pattie, RN

Anonymous said...

And the above would also apply to Medicaid patients....even if it is only a $5.00 fee, it would put some "skin in the game" for these folks.

Some states are doing this - around here, it's $3 (assuming the patient isn't pregnant, a kid, etc.).

ERP said...

Urgh. And to think, usually I prefer people to turn their cell phones off in the ER.

Spook, RN said...

Cell phones don't work in our ER (no signal) - I guess we line our walls with extra-good stuff! :-)

Loren Pechtel said...

Obviously the MRI was defective. You said it showed a brain, something they obviously don't have.

 
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