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Paul D. Thompson, MD's avatar

Dr. Doerwaldt - Your comments are "on the money" especially your observation that emergency department clinicians often (almost always ?) don't see the patient before ordering a bevy of tests. Interviewing and examining the patient allows the clinician to select which tests will really help, which can shorten the stay and reduce costs. I couldn't agree more with your comments. Paul

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Hartmut Doerwaldt's avatar

100% on target. Every day my students or PA’s/ NP’ start with the blah blah blah until I stop them and ask what in the world the CC is !

ER Providers(formerly known as doctors) should be required to take a history before ordering tests.

Ordering tests and waiting 3 hours for the results before seeing the patient contributes to the ER log jams

Finally, the vast majority of patients come out of the ER not having a clue what might have been worng with them. What they leave with is either “ you did not have a heart attack, go see your doctor” or “you did not have a appendicitis go to your doctor” and if all else fails the 90 year old with dizziness and headache leaves with a diagnosis of UTI

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