The things people try...

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

So, working walk-in clinic now, and I am just astounded at the crap people pull. I shouldn't be, but I am. And with a number of people that see patients here, there's always a chance of getting someone that doesn't know the history of said crap. I'd like to hear some of my fellow comrade's tales, too. Here are just a few...

*Same guy, 4 times in 3 weeks, c/o pain. Has a primary and a surgeon, says he's scheduled to have surgery later this month. Has already been told that he will not be treated for pain here, but in he comes. C/o new injury, fairly minor fx in an odd spot. X rayed, referred to ortho. Denied narcs, reminded of the conversation he had with another provider in which he was told that we would not treat his pain (he is under a treatment plan elsewhere). He replied that this pain was different. The clinic as a whole is wondering if the aforementioned injury wasn't self-inflicted, with no intent to be as bad as it was, just as a ruse...

*Patient presents, c/o 'anxiety attack', requests a specific benzo (always a flag for me). States that he has been seen here for the same thing previously. States that his PMD was busy and could not get him in. So, I called his bluff. Looked up his prior visits, never seen for this here. Called his PMD, they had not heard from him in 2 years. Of course, there was the "Yes, I did!" argument, but when the records show otherwise, there's not a whole lot there to argue with. We set him up an appointment with his primary the same day, as the patient stated thatthis problem was ongoing.

*And then there was the one that said the only thing that would work for her UTI was Percocet...

Anyone care to share?

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

Sounds like a typical day in the ED.

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

You know, you're right...I had nearly forgotton how bad it can get there, and that's where I did residency.

[prettymica, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN, APRN, NP]

LOL... Percocet for a UTI... No mention of ABTs? My day would go by very smoothly from laughing my butt off :)!

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Nope, that was it. And yes, I did giggle all the way home. Some of them are laughable, some make you shake your head and winder, and the rare few might aggravate your TMJ. But they are interesting.

[Dixielee, BSN, RN]

One of my ER peeps posted this on facebook yesterday and it says it all :) There is some language in it that may offend some, so if you are offended easily, please don't go there. It is advice from an ER doc to the drug seekers we see everyday. It cuts to the chase! I wish we could print and laminate it and post it in triage. Hopefully this will be enjoyed and not criticized for being insensitive.

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/301345524.html

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I have that saved as a favorite on my computer at home. I love, love, LOVE it!

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

I have that thing from Craigslist posted in my office. Angelfire, welcome to my world..LOL. I am so tired of the garbage some of these patients try to pull. That's why I'm leaving my community health center and going to a private specialty practice where narcotics are not an option. You just gotta keep laughing....

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I'm very. very conservative with controls of any kind...I never have been a fan of them, just because I know the potential for abuse. So, I've already made a name for myself in here, lol. Barring an acute injury, if you came in c/o pain that required constant treatment, you need to follow with your PMD, that's not a safe thing to have treated in a walk-in. It requires maintenance.

That being said, had a migrainer come in, and I ordered a Nubain shot for them. The nurse that took the order off found me, checked the validity of said order, and then checked me for fever.

Please don't thin me heartless. In cases that require such, I do prescribe. Just not willy-nilly, and not to save myself a fight.