You are currently browsing the daily archive for October 23rd, 2008.
Handwritten instructions after “No driving until cleared by your PCP” and “Wash site gently with soap and water”:
Stop cocaine!
This genius decided that, after a CABG x 4 and a mitral valve repair, he had spent enough time at the hospital. Mind you, he still had pacer wires and a pleural drain. (My last day with him had been exhausting. He had refused lab draws, citing old burn scars as evidence of the abuse he’d experienced from the techs. He constantly pulled off his monitor. After being instructed repeatedly concerning his pacer wires, I still caught him showering. This particular day he would complain of pain but refused the darvocet and even the morphine on his profile. According to him, the night nurse had promised to call the doctor and get something stronger.) During the cardiologist rounds that afternoon he insisted that he leave immediately. He’d already called his ride. He just needed to go home and get some rest. He’d come back to his room in the morning so the doctor could see him. Right. The MD spoke to him at length about the grave risks of leaving, but nothing was getting though this guy’s head. The MD made him sign his progress notes. The surgeon was paged, and his PA came by to talk to the guy. This time he needed to get home for a funeral. Whatever. The PA removed the pacer wires and drain. I removed his central line. He signed his AMA form. Sometime later family arrived to pick him up.
Update: This guy returns 3 days later on a neighboring unit, and all day long security and cops are hanging around that room and station. Apparently he decided that no one was allowed to enter his room.
Update #2: The guy became septic and died a few days later.
“Diana, I would like to thank you for being such a wonderful and caring nurse, I wish that I could take you with me to the other floor.
You have helped my stay here more comfortable and pleasant. I hope administration realizes what an assett you are to this hospital. Your knowledge and caring is the epitome of what a nurse should be.
You have such a pleasant and non-Judgemental personality, I don’t think you realize how much easier you have made my stay here.
Thank you for your positive personality and beautiful smile.
Thank you,”
blah blah HIPAA blah
And the Academy Award goes to…
