Word: sicked
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...patients often have compromised immune systems and may need to be treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics--which increases the chance that antibiotic-resistant strains of staph and other bacteria will make the rounds of the intensive-care unit. As a rule, doctors decide where to go based on how sick they are. For fairly routine care--a hip replacement, a hernia operation--they will often opt for the convenience and comfort of a community hospital. But if there is any mystery about the symptoms, the rule is Get Thee to a Teaching Hospital. The meals will probably be worse...
...doctor-patient nightmare. It started when his son had a medical emergency in July, which every doctor knows is the worst of all months to go to a teaching hospital. "The new interns and residents begin July 1," he explains. "There's a very morbid joke: don't get sick on the July 4 weekend." But years ago, when he and his wife were new parents, they were visiting her family in Connecticut for the holiday when their 9-month-old son became cranky, ran a fever, got diarrhea. They went to a local pediatrician, who essentially said...
...time they arrived back in Boston, it was clear to both of them that the baby was very sick. "He was flailing and arching his knees to his chest. So we rushed to the emergency room of the Children's Hospital." Their son was seen by a brand-new surgical resident, who diagnosed an intestinal obstruction. "This resident said to my wife--this is now midnight--'Well, in my experience, this can wait until morning.'" Since his experience at that point in his residency amounted to roughly three days on the job, the Groopmans pulled rank. They called someone...
...office, she listens carefully. I hardly ever have to repeat myself with Doris (not her real name). She asks questions--mostly good ones. She needs lots of tests, various therapies. I ultimately recommend an operation on her shoulder. Sick, weakened by multiple symptoms and with lousy insurance, Doris is--surprise--a really good patient. She communicates efficiently with her doctors and treats us with respect and trust. She has reasonable expectations. I can tell she looks things up, but her knowledge is helpful--never challenging. I've talked about her with other doctors, and we agree on this: when...
...Well, I don't need to have good manners--I'm sick--and I'm not going to be a patsy for some smooth talker in a white coat. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, you know...