Sublime Emergencies
On call last night in ED (A&E for non-US readers!). People wonder how US healthcare costs can be so ridiculously high wrt OECD averages, yet the average health outcomes of the population can be so shockingly poor wrt other OECD countries. Here are some of the actual “Chief Complaints” as recorded by triage nurses:
Pt found naked at a porn store after being down for an unknown time, arrives with blood around perioral area.
Unbearable torture since 12/25/2013. Reports weakness and insomnia for past 49 months.
Pt states she got mad her parents would not let her go out.
Cuticles are painful. Per Pt: I bought a new soap but I’m afraid to use it. My fingers are getting puffy.