The House of God

[81FSUseminole]

who here has read 'the house of god' by samuel shem? i had it in my drawer for over 2 yrs and decided to read it not too long ago. really incredible book w/ a lot of validity regarding today's current healthcare state, despite being written in the 70s. please share your thoughts. i really relate to the fat man's approach to medicine, do as little as possible. sometimes i feel the more we (RNs, Mds) do, the worse the pt's outcome and more complications that result.

[oldiebutgoodie, RN]

Remember:

BUN + Age = Lasix dose

Oldiebutgoodie

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

one of my favorite books ever! "age + bun = lasix dose" is one of the maxims that hasn't gone out of style yet. although i did give report to a newer nurse several years ago, passing on that the patient had "positive q signs." the other nurse didn't know what it meant, and didn't want to appear stupid by asking. so he called the doctor (a cardiologist) who hadn't read the book, either.

"i don't know what it is," the newbie told the cardiologist, "but she said it when she was talking about neuro status."

the cardiologist ordered a neuro consult. the neurologist had no idea what a positive q sign was, either, but reported that the patient had "altered mental status and decreased level of consciousness" and needed a head ct. so they called in the on call techs to do a head ct. (it was nondiagnostic.)

in the morning, the cardiologist's older partner (who had read the book) nearly ruptured himself laughing. i guess i'm far enough away from it that i can laugh at it, too, but still use it as an anecdote to illustrate to my orientees why you should ask questions if you don't understand something!

[indigo girl]

...the cardiologist's older partner (who had read the book) nearly ruptured himself laughing. i guess i'm far enough away from it that i can laugh at it, too, but still use it as an anecdote to illustrate to my orientees why you should ask questions if you don't understand something!

rotfwl!!!!

[ILoveRatties]

I read it in the late 70s after becoming an RN and starting work. Loved the book. He has written a sequel.

I will never forget get-out-of-my-emergency-room (gomer). buffing, turfing. there's nothing that a strong arm and a 14 gauge needle/line can't reach, the first action to take in a code is to take your own pulse. Gomers go to ground. All the Fat Man's Rules are hysterical and true!!

One thing, it is about internal med residency, not surgical residency.

Don't expect to see anything enlightening in it about nurses/nursing. Very chauvenistic about nursing.

I think that the sub-plot about him specializing in Psychiatry is very touching.

Another super book that came out about the same time, and really touched me as a nurse, is Heartsounds.

[oldiebutgoodie, RN]

one of my favorite books ever! "age + bun = lasix dose" is one of the maxims that hasn't gone out of style yet. although i did give report to a newer nurse several years ago, passing on that the patient had "positive q signs." the other nurse didn't know what it meant, and didn't want to appear stupid by asking. so he called the doctor (a cardiologist) who hadn't read the book, either.

"i don't know what it is," the newbie told the cardiologist, "but she said it when she was talking about neuro status."

the cardiologist ordered a neuro consult. the neurologist had no idea what a positive q sign was, either, but reported that the patient had "altered mental status and decreased level of consciousness" and needed a head ct. so they called in the on call techs to do a head ct. (it was nondiagnostic.)

in the morning, the cardiologist's older partner (who had read the book) nearly ruptured himself laughing. i guess i'm far enough away from it that i can laugh at it, too, but still use it as an anecdote to illustrate to my orientees why you should ask questions if you don't understand something!

that is too hilarious. man, you can always tell what is going to happen when the patient has a positive q sign.

oldiebutgoodie