I must admit, I am a medical blog junkie. It started with shrinkrap, a blog I stumbled upon while doing research on some random topic for school. I then found links to other mental health providers, Foofoo (one of my favorite bloggers). Then I stumbled upon other health providers like bongi, Dr. Rob, and Midwife with a knife. Then…I stumbled on docs and nurses from the ER life whitecoat and Nurse K…and then I stumbled upon some very bitter and over the top writings like MDOD….
At times I got annoyed at some docs complaining about charity care and non-urgent ER visits. At then many stories were read about drug seekers, people who go to the ER for a band-aid, and the “Medicare bank.” I have been accused of being a bleeding heart liberal. I like to say I am tolerant. I try to be tolerant of existing in a troubled world, and yes I went to social work school to try to change it a little. As I have been an accountant and managing a finance office of a medical clinic, I know a wee bit about medical finances.
So anyways…
I am bitter and pissed off. I am pissed off at the government, insurance providers, other health agencies, the administration, the family members, and the god-damn patients!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I am mad, angry, and waiting for a fight. I am interning as a discharge planner in the inpatient acute rehab (think physical therapy) of a level one trauma center.
Thing that piss me off:
Patients who think that the hospital is a hotel: Many of our patients need handicap assessable housing or home modifications to return to the community safely. We do everything in our power to ensure that this can happen. We order DME (equipment) and have it delivered to their house! Our therapists will go to the home to do a professional evaluation. We will make sure people have Medicaid. We will ensure they have an income (ssi) We will even secure an apartment for people! But! There are always a couple of people who think that the hospital is a hotel with maid service! One of these wonderful hospital tourists complained to us because they had a semi-private room! UGH!!!! Some patient had their 6 year old daughter stay the night! WTF! The administration is even involved with these cases!
Asshole family members: Seriously, one more complete spinal cord injury patient’s husband, or mother who thinks Suzy is going to walk home …ugh! One more stupid mother**king family member who give there peg tubed and trached loved one a big drink of water cause they look thirsty! Ugh!!!!!! I can understand if the patient like asked for a glass of water…but gee, when you keep giving your dad glasses of water after multiple times that he had choked and almost code, after how many teaching moments….when we have to supervise family members….people should go byebye.
Nursing homes: Of course! You don’t have any Medicaid beds!! You are evil you know. All of you are evil.
Medicaid: you pay for so many things! Yeah! Yippie! But no one takes you! Boo! Seriously, can we charge some copays? Like….hm….$5 for a medical transport, $25 for a ER visit, how about $100 for having a baby? Sure Outpatient visits can be free (I am down with that!), prescriptions can be free! But seriously, can someone buy their own damn cough syrup (or even a little bitty copay!) Can we have copays to encourage responsible healthcare usage? And then we can have waiver programs (to waive fees) when people are sick as crap and cannot afford cough syrup?
Customer service: I’ve been on hold for 20 min and you just told me to hang up and call the person who just told me to call you!!!!
Anyways, I will do all in my power to make your discharge as smoothly as possible. I will be pissed as hell on your behalf when you get screwed over… I will listen to you complain, I will even order a horse driven chariot for your travel home. All I ask…..
Go to therapy some of the time. Don ‘t scream at the staff or your relatives ( and if you are altered in any way we will forgive you immediately with a big smile). No drug dealing on the floor. Take a shower when it is offered. But please….when we fix you…..GO HOME!!!!