A Blog detailing the insanity of my medical practice and the stupidity of everyday life.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Thank you for this interesting consult
Actual chart note I saw on Friday:
"Patient has history of Alzheimer's disease. Currently has obvious memory deficits. Will consult neurology to see if they can find a cause for his memory loss."
Just don't forget to check the thyroid profile, do a short synacthen test, check electrolytes, check inflammatory markers, do a CT brain +/- MRI and an MMSE.
Hopefully you'll find a cause for his confusion.
Also, wonder what new subtype of Alzheimer's that the patient had that regresses...
This made me want to laugh and cry at the same time. Over half the health care professionals I came into contact with while dealing with my father's Alzheimer's seemed to be rather clueless. Even though I told them in advance that my father had severe Alzheimer's, they would still ask questions such as, "Have you noticed your father is confused?" "Has he seen a neurologist to help with the memory loss?" Duh... Then I would give my 2-minute education on Alzheimer's, which was usually ignored. This is why a fair share of my time and money goes to Alzheimer's awareness and research, and I wish it could also go toward educating all health care professionals on at least the basics of this heartbreaking disease.
Methinks whoever wrote that note might have Alzheimer's himself.
My mom died of Alzheimer's. Her meds got out of whack, and she was admitted to the local hospital's psych ward. They told us they were going to teach her the tasks of daily living, and she would be expected to do her own laundry. At the time, she couldn't speak, didn't recognize her family, and would not eat her food because the staff didn't remove the covers from the tray and she didn't recognize the tray as food.
How can healthcare professionals be so clueless about such a common disease?
I beat you can figure it out! We have faith in you.
ReplyDeleteIt would really be impressive if could treat it...
ReplyDeleteJust don't forget to check the thyroid profile, do a short synacthen test, check electrolytes, check inflammatory markers, do a CT brain +/- MRI and an MMSE.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you'll find a cause for his confusion.
Also, wonder what new subtype of Alzheimer's that the patient had that regresses...
I think the patient wrote the note.
ReplyDeleteJust has to know.
ReplyDeleteIt's July, perhaps it's a new resident?
ReplyDeleteYep. Note by new resident should have finished "ask for neurology consult."
ReplyDeleteIF the Grumpy one had a cure for AZ, he would not be peddling his blog on Kindle.
This made me want to laugh and cry at the same time. Over half the health care professionals I came into contact with while dealing with my father's Alzheimer's seemed to be rather clueless. Even though I told them in advance that my father had severe Alzheimer's, they would still ask questions such as, "Have you noticed your father is confused?" "Has he seen a neurologist to help with the memory loss?" Duh... Then I would give my 2-minute education on Alzheimer's, which was usually ignored.
ReplyDeleteThis is why a fair share of my time and money goes to Alzheimer's awareness and research, and I wish it could also go toward educating all health care professionals on at least the basics of this heartbreaking disease.
Very apt wv: veryflaw
Whoever wrote that needs to go back to school. I can't believe there is no "warning warning" post against using that doctor/nurse.
ReplyDeleteDoctor or nurse?
ReplyDeleteMethinks whoever wrote that note might have Alzheimer's himself.
ReplyDeleteMy mom died of Alzheimer's. Her meds got out of whack, and she was admitted to the local hospital's psych ward. They told us they were going to teach her the tasks of daily living, and she would be expected to do her own laundry. At the time, she couldn't speak, didn't recognize her family, and would not eat her food because the staff didn't remove the covers from the tray and she didn't recognize the tray as food.
How can healthcare professionals be so clueless about such a common disease?
Been discussing the Dunning–Kruger effect - sounds relevant!
ReplyDelete