The moment this physician realized she hated the pain scale

I was surprised when I felt my body stiffen as I became aware that an iPhone had just been fiercely thrown in my direction. “I’m calling security,” shouted a distant voice in the background. “I want the 10 mg oxycodone pills! I am in 10/10 pain!” The patient shouted this to me as he abruptly got up, violently launched his phone in my direction and stomped toward the exit of the consult room. Let’s rewind for a moment. This adolescent patient was already discharged from the hospital. I was called to the consult room to discuss the plan with his mom and to re-emphasize his pain management plan. Upon entering the room, I could tell that the parent was in distress. She looked utterly defeated. She asked me quietly if I could provide her son with the stronger dosage of medication. I calmly explained to her that we were following his documented pain plan, which clearly indicated that he should be prescribed seven 5 mg tabs of oxycodone to use as needed until seen by his pain management physician. I could see the tears forming in her eyes. I said I would speak to her son’s physician and return. I sensed that her son was growing more and more agitated by the second. I left the room and paged the pain management physician on call. 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 Hospital-Based Medicine Medications Oncology/Hematology Source Type: blogs