tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16985041.post3021879976393476741..comments2023-08-15T07:47:38.834-05:00Comments on The Peltgrande Blogger: Wanna know where your healthcare dollars are going?... Just One of the ER Problems...Travishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14597855245625233090noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16985041.post-31700804798743695932009-04-05T20:44:00.000-05:002009-04-05T20:44:00.000-05:00Amen, brother.Amen, brother.Travishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14597855245625233090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16985041.post-21416082177713472122009-04-03T00:48:00.000-05:002009-04-03T00:48:00.000-05:00I feel that a lot of people will look at that stor...I feel that a lot of people will look at that story and think "why is that doctor ordering so many tests?" Clearly there is nothing wrong with them.<BR/><BR/>The problem that the Obama administration fails to realize is that without tort reform any big changes to healthcare won't work. <BR/><BR/>For example they cite heart problems in some of those patients. They probably all to some extent have real disease in some form. So, the guy that had a prior MI and now has a stent comes in with chest pain. It is is third visit this week. Obviously it is most likely not his heart causing the current problem. However in a court of law it doesn't matter that this guy has been seen 100 times after his heart attack with nothing wrong if on his 101st visit he has another big MI. Could you imagine yourself on cross-examination..."doctor this patient has a history of coronary artery disease with prior stenting, he came in with chest pain, all you did was an EKG, is that the standard of care?" <BR/><BR/>Well, no it isn't, but this guy always comes in with that complaint and it never is his heart. I screened him and didn't think anything new was going on. Too bad Mr. ER doctor. Get your check book out and start writing. <BR/><BR/>That is the underlying problem. There is no medicolegal backup for me trying to nickel and dime that patient. All I can potentially do is lose. Therefore, I will check all the labs that I know will be normal and admit him to the hospital so I'm not the last guy holding the chart when he has the big one.<BR/><BR/>Very frustrating. Americans rely on their ability to sue, in the same breath they then complain about the 500 dollar ER visit. Who do you think pays for Mr. Johnsons $500,000 lawsuit?Corinne Mattsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03426330048578589629noreply@blogger.com