Calls for Help

Part of my job is to take call, usually over the weekend, but more recently to fill in for a nurse who had surgery, and another who resigned. You never know what'll happen and I suppose that's what makes it interesting.

The problem isn't being on call, or going out in the cold night, it's that sometimes there's simply nothing we can do, or the person needs to go to the hospital rather than wasting time talking to us.

Last night a call came in from a former patient, in dire need of help. Since the person was discharged some time ago, I couldn't call the doctor, couldn't advise, couldn't do anything. The patient called 911, the hospital, and the doctor, and was denied help.

Why? Because the person is well known amongst the medical community, too well known. The problem is one the patient should have had under control years ago, but hasn't. And now, when the patient calls for help, it's seen as a "Cry Wolf!"

Would I have gone out to help? Yes. Absolutely. Legally, and per company policy I'm not allowed to go see discharged patients. Big lawsuit type stuff.

So my hands were tied. I couldn't do anything but tell the patient (repeatedly) to call the doctor. Unfortunately, the doctor made him or herself unavailable to this patient. So did 911. So did the hospital.

Unreal.