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[–]NetweaselContinuing the struggle 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Years before that, we were advised by a friend in hospital management always to have family advocates present when a loved one was inpatient,

I've always had a standing rule: Someone else has to be there, if at all possible.

My favorite story: Patient had 103 fever, no discernible cause (apparently). Teaching hospital, new Residents/Interns had just arrived two days earlier.

Appendicitis was suspected but not confirmed. Decision was to keep patient until something changed and a ruptured appendix would confirm suspicions. Exasperated, I said "You've got an ultrasound up in OB/GYN! <points in that direction> Why don't you just go look??!?"

They looked at each other and left. Ultrasound was done next morning. Kidney infection.

(I think ultrasounds are now SOP in some cases.)

[–]3andfro 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Patient was lucky you and your commonsense were there. I recognize the importance of teaching hospitals but no longer allow myself to be a guinea pig for interns/residents or a practice body for recertification credits. Could be seen as a form of NIMBY--the backyard being my physical self--but so be it. Also stopped checking the organ donation box on my driver's license about 20 yrs ago. Now I'm too old for my parts to be of interest. :D