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The Medical Thread: We're experts on everything else; why not?

Its the law. It sucks in many cases but they have to be released. It is frustrating as I typically get results to patients (actually call the patient most of the time) within 12 hours of release...yet often my patient is already freaking out. Sometimes appropriately, most often not.

Added to the list of things that make me happy I am retired! I have family that like to look at the results, consult Dr. Bing, declare themselves experts and are already on the warpath to get what they think they need probably before the Provider or Nurse has even figured out there is a result.

Another interesting foible related to this- the number of times staff, Docs, medicals have assumed that we have seen the results to tests FIL les has had done and expect us to know what is going on or asked when we looked on the Portal, like it is our job. We don't have access to the Portal for FIL les.
 
Update on the fiasco that is the medical system. Turns out the local hospital let go most of their lab staff, contracted with Labcorp. The Rehab has contracted with another lab. No such thing as reliably stat labs unless you are admitted in house. Even ER has trouble with some labs.

THankfully FIL les survived and is home but the complete incompetence of the lab systems is really frightening. Last week he spent >20 hours in the ER or being transported from the Rehab. First time he had labs drawn and his Hgb was 5.39 (Holy SH!T!!!). No one called anyone. They faxed labs over at noonish --> trip to ER for transfusion- didn't get home until past 1AM.

Second time he was 5.8, they decided to order a redraw the next day (no one let us know). The results were low, they called at 1 for mr les to transport him to the ER. He was there at 1:30. Sat for 5+ hrs before he was put in a room and then another hour before anyone saw him. By that time he was hemoconcentrated from dehydration so they didn't think he qualified for a transfusion. They finally re-ran labs, he got transfused. Back in his bed after 1AM.

A few days later they ordered blood and scheduled a bed for a transfusion. The lab never drew the blood. The facility called for them to come out to draw blood. They have 4 hrs to respond. After 5p we got a call that no one showed up to draw the blood. The infusion bed was cancelled. They reordered labs. No bed available for 2 days. If abnormal he has to go to the ER again. He has already said he won't go. Thank God he was normal.

THe Nursing staff are superstars. The system ... It would be easier if he were in a 3rd world country where the system works by paying. Here- the system just doesn't work. Even with the 2 of us having decades of experience, calling, asking for a contingency plan, advocating, there was no way to circumvent the completely dysfunctional system. Thank GOd FIL les has the constitution of an ox. WIth his hx (cardiac, diabetic, recent ARF) a count like that could be deadly.
 
Anyone know anyone with an LVAD? Father-in-law might be getting one shortly, wondering if anyone has any stories on them.
 
I hope he’s meticulous with caring for himself. Requires a lot of work to keep the entry point clean of infection, etc. A lifesaving device to be certain. I wish him well.
 
Pro-tip: if a relative is in and out of sedation for a week and you want to pick some TV to have on in their room in the background, don't pick a channel with all police/crime dramas (which they normally like), because then when they come out of sedation they'll think the hospital has a secret drug-running operation.
 
Anyone know anyone with an LVAD? Father-in-law might be getting one shortly, wondering if anyone has any stories on them.

My brothers wife had one for many years, spent a lot of time in Boston at Brigham and Womens hospital. She just passed a month ago but it prolonged her life by a decade or so.
 
Pro-tip: if a relative is in and out of sedation for a week and you want to pick some TV to have on in their room in the background, don't pick a channel with all police/crime dramas (which they normally like), because then when they come out of sedation they'll think the hospital has a secret drug-running operation.

Just give them porn.
 

The amount of money and resources being spent in TX for political posturing and theater is mind boggling. And the amount of money spent by other States dealing with the spillover is ridiculous. If they spent half the money they are wasting to feed, clothe, shelter and provide basic healthcare they might not be 52nd out of 52 States/DC.
 
It’s very clear the health of their residents is not a concern.

maybe this will inspire some of these fucks to vote. While voter suppression is real, way too many people in Texas who are eligible to vote don’t bother. This is their reward.
 
Definitely! I hope you're doing ok, good sir.
All things considered, not doing too bad. I'll tell ya that was the most excruciating pain I've ever felt. 6 and a half years ago when I had to have my right hip replaced due to osteoarthritis and the hip was bone on bone, that was a walk in the park compared to what I just went through.
 
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