You simply can't trust ALL of your patients (Full Version)

All Forums >> [RehabEdge Forum] >> Medical Complexity



Message

Dr.Wagner -> You simply can't trust ALL of your patients (April 23, 2007 5:44:00 PM)

So I had a patient come to the ER to FIND ME...ooooohhh she was unhappy.

I changed her Vicodin prescription from 20 to 4.

Here is what happened.

Our Physician Assistant evaluated a patient for Dental Pain. Apparently she had a chipped tooth with "exposed nerve".

Ok ok, I will break my fundamental rule regarding narcotics and I will trust the PA on this one.

He gave her 20 Vicodin (in retrospect, just way too much, but she was crying and appeared to be in acute pain.).

I receive a call from a Pharmacist the next day that she had JUST FILLED the prescription. Knowing it had been 24 hours later , I smelled a rat.

I changed the script from 20 to 4.


THE PATIENT WENT BALLISTIC!

She called the hospital wanting to talk to me and everyone else.

Then she came to the hospital and was escorted out by security.

I suspect she had already secured buyers for the Vicodin and then I ruined her plans and now she was in a bind.


OOOOh the loving and trust worthy patient.


Patients lie to your face.



3.5fig -> Re: You simply can't trust ALL of your patients (April 26, 2007 12:17:00 PM)

I am a Chiropractor that works in a interdisciplinary occupational medical clinic and I do not evny what you guys(DOs,MDs) have to go through regarding patients and their meds. I have seen so many fishy stories...."I left my meds on the bus" to the ever so often used "it was stolen"...to which our office response is, "fine, just bring in the police report and we can re-fill it for you". Medication seeking patients is one part of health care that I am glad that I don't have to deal with....



VagusX -> Re: You simply can't trust ALL of your patients (May 2, 2007 12:55:00 PM)

I can be pretty sure that she is not making much of a business with 20 pill orders of 5/500 Vicodin. I have never worked in an ER, so I have not been in direct contact with "seekers," but I don't know anybody who would spend a $100 co-pay at the hospital to get 20 Vicodin to sell at $5 a pop on the street.

She is likely just a user and it sounds like she needs some help. Flag her and give her some Ultram next time.



Dr.Wagner -> Re: You simply can't trust ALL of your patients (May 2, 2007 3:27:00 PM)

Ha!

vagus...these type of people don't have insurance and don't pay "co pays".

Many times, they leave false phone numbers...I called once to tell a patient she had Chlamydia and it was a Bar B Q place.

Drug seekers are pretty interesting...they never pay but they are ALWAYS allergic to NSAIDS and Ultram...it is pretty humorous. My PA felt bad that he had been "duped".



VagusX -> Re: You simply can't trust ALL of your patients (May 3, 2007 12:07:00 PM)

LOL

I probobly couldn't visit that BBQ place any longer.

Just out of curiosity, if the same person came in and had payed $100 to see you for "dental pain" would you have a different opinion about prescribing 20 Vicodin?



Dr.Wagner -> Re: You simply can't trust ALL of your patients (May 3, 2007 2:09:00 PM)

I have no idea who has insurance or who doesn't...generally until they are gone, primarily as I don't have any paperwork...but it doesn't matter because I get paid hourly and not per patient or based upon insurance. I get paid the same if I see 30 patients pershift or 10.

"Co pays" are not collected on sight in my hospital. ...

Sometimes at discharge I ask if they have insurance in an attempt to write for cheaper/generic medications.



cej7 -> Re: You simply can't trust ALL of your patients (June 22, 2007 9:49:00 PM)

My husband sent me the following link today (apparently he's been listening to me venting). The 'editorial' seems to sum up what many ED staff are thinking on this topic..

Link: http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/301345524.html



Page: [1]



Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.5.5 Unicode

0.063