The sad direction of hospital care

My 74-year old obese, poorly controlled diabetic patient with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea has been difficult to motivate to improve his lifestyle and his health. He is bright, sweet and caring but just not very disciplined. At each office visit, we review his medications, review his dietary habits and go through the check list of check-ups for diabetic complications including regular ophthalmology exams and podiatric exams to prevent diabetic retinopathy and foot skin breakdown and infection. His spouse is always present, and we discuss seeing his endocrinologist regularly, and a dietitian who specializes in diabetes care all the time. To no avail, I have suggested seeing a psychologist. Three months ago, two weeks after his last office visit, his wife self-referred him to our local community hospital Emergency Department for a small ulcer at the base of his toe. He was seen, treated and referred to that hospital’s therapy and wound care center. I was listed as his primary care doctor. He was seen by the ED, but I was not called or informed of the visit. He has continued to see wound care regularly but, to date, I have received no notification of the problem, the visits, the ongoing therapy, the prognosis and/or the results. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Physician Diabetes Emergency Hospital Hospitalist Infectious disease Source Type: blogs