I had never known this could be done before. I've been up on my floor for 1.5 months or so, and seen 2 patients who were fired by their doctors. First one I don't remember the details, really, but one today....his cardiologist fired him (gave him 4 weeks notice) for chronic noncompliance. (39y.o., coke addict, 2 past MI's).
I never knew this could happen. Another nurse said they can do that, but if he becomes inpatient, htey have to see him even if he's fired, b/c this is not a private hospital, but they don't have to see him in the office if they don't want to. This is a large hospital, we have 2 cardiology groups, so its not like there are no other cardiologists to see him.
I've seen specialist docs refuse to accept patients in the hospital setting, but the GP group on call is expected to see all patients admitted, regardless of how they feel about them.
Once a patient was abusive to a cardiologist and he said "I don't have to take this and I don't have to accept you as a patient. Goodbye." Dontcha wish we could do that.....? LOL!!
:roll Yeah, usually once a week, if not once a day!
Maybe asking for an order for a nicotine patch might be a good idea in this case. Maybe some offer some counseling about smoking cessation programs that might be available during and after the hospitalization. If the pt continues to be non-compliant after these things are done, I would fully understand if the doc fired him.
OT rant: I can't stand smoking in the hospital. By either the pts or the staff. What I can't understand is I can't take meds for chronic pain during a shift (I'm totally stabilized, have been for years) yet someone can take more than a few 15 minute breaks to go out for a smoke break, leaving staff to pick up there work. This gets me to no end. :angryfire
Back to the topic of docs firing pts. This is not an attempt to hijack this thread.
love your tagline . . . even nursing school. How does anyone get through it w/out the help of our lord?
kadokin, ASN, RN
550 Posts
:roll Yeah, usually once a week, if not once a day!