You know those surgeons that when their patient is on their way to OR you ask the universe to please not let the surgeon kill this one, too?
When their patient asks you, "Is my surgeon any good?" You can't tell them the truth, a floor nurse would lose her job. You can't lie, that's not right.
How do you answer this question? I know how I used to do it, how do you respond? You have to admit, there are those surgeons that should be used during war time, operating on the enemy. Doogie Howser could give them some pointers. They are the docs keeping ICU busy.
Not just in the OR. I can technically evaluate our GI fellows. Not as much as the faculty physicians. But as a circulator, you chart things like time to cecum, withdrawal time, etc. And you see which ones take out polyps, even if they think they're probably hyperplastic, just on the off chance that they're not, and which ones don't care enough to. If it's a family member being scoped, I want someone who is statistically quick to cecum, has a lengthier withdrawal (because we do have some who hover in the sigmoid until they reach the mandatory six minute mark and get out), and takes out all polyps to send to path. I also know which ones avoid talking to family members at all costs, because 'it's a hassle.' And I know which one didn't listen to me when I said, "hey I think this patient needs a 12 lead," and which one did, thankfully catching a STEMI.
When you work with docs enough, you know which ones are good and which ones are not. Especially when you work in a teaching hospital, because I ask questions all day every day. It's a different environment from the floor when you see a doc blow through. I spend nine hours a day in a closed room with my docs. And although some of the time is spent playing, "guess how poor the prep on the right side of the colon is" or "what year did this song on the radio come out?" I also pay attention. More attention than a teenager watching Fifty Shades of Grey for the first time.
When I was a nursing assistant in the PACU I always had patients ask me this. I used to say "well Dr. such and such hasn't killed anyone yet so..." KIDDING I would never! I would always say "You're in great hands, your surgeon is qualified and the OR staff is great. Everyone will take excellent care of you." Then I would see them in the PACU afterwards all relieved and recovering :)
I have used "he/she has been around a long time.".. However, if it is a friend or family member asking, I don't hold back. There are a couple of surgeons that my dad got referred to, and I told him absolutely not, don't let them touch you. I then got him referrals to good sugeons,lol.
Awesomocity0
100 Posts
Not just in the OR. I can technically evaluate our GI fellows. Not as much as the faculty physicians. But as a circulator, you chart things like time to cecum, withdrawal time, etc. And you see which ones take out polyps, even if they think they're probably hyperplastic, just on the off chance that they're not, and which ones don't care enough to. If it's a family member being scoped, I want someone who is statistically quick to cecum, has a lengthier withdrawal (because we do have some who hover in the sigmoid until they reach the mandatory six minute mark and get out), and takes out all polyps to send to path. I also know which ones avoid talking to family members at all costs, because 'it's a hassle.' And I know which one didn't listen to me when I said, "hey I think this patient needs a 12 lead," and which one did, thankfully catching a STEMI.
When you work with docs enough, you know which ones are good and which ones are not. Especially when you work in a teaching hospital, because I ask questions all day every day. It's a different environment from the floor when you see a doc blow through. I spend nine hours a day in a closed room with my docs. And although some of the time is spent playing, "guess how poor the prep on the right side of the colon is" or "what year did this song on the radio come out?" I also pay attention. More attention than a teenager watching Fifty Shades of Grey for the first time.