Here follows....:
Stupid Shit in Healthcare

Two weeks ago I sat next to a senior person in the Dept of Health at a meeting while we listened to a case study about rural pathways. We heard some wild things.

Here are some examples.
Then you can play too.

Thread!

One example came up about inability to access the Stroke only telehealth machines. Even when other specialties want to use them and they’re available =I thought that was an example of stupid shit in healthcare.

GPs not being able to refer directly for iron infusions the way they should be able to and having to resort to ED...=seems like stupid shit in healthcare too.

Mandatory handwashing modules?
Definately stupid shit in healthcare.

This morning I posted this challenge in a private online Drs group which has about a large number of Aussie doctors. They have come up with some corkers!

No funding for obesity medications or surgery even if patient is dying of their obesity and its complications

See your GP for a medical certificate for the day you were in surgery. Really?

NEAT targets in Emergency Departments for older age patients with incredibly complex presentations.

“Not exactly exactly healthcare. I'm just baffled at the lack of accountability for non-health professionals spreading misinformation or overtly giving medical advice.”

Having to get a new provider number every time you move as a Reg/anytime...why can’t it be linked to provider like the prescriber number?

Can’t get PBS for steroids & gastric protection...

Outpatient wait lists that patients and doctors and GPS have no idea how long they’ll actually be on there and when they’ll be seen. Across one city huge variability.

Some fracture clinics at local hospitals won’t take referrals from local GPS so patients have to rock up to ED to get access

NT they won’t fund people to travel from remote communities into Darwin for breast screening even though it is part of our national guidelines and the cancer council guidelines & if they miss the Pink Bus that comes every 2 years then that’s it.

“Large regional maternity. Hospital refuses to stock/buy/fund implanons for postpartum contraception as can't access PBS subsidy for them ($171)...

Would love to know how far the $171 for a non funded implanon goes in covering the costs of caring for their next pregnancy...”

Registrars in theatre all day with no one else available to take referrals

GPs paid a teensy amount to do complex work and no time to do it in. And no increase in the Medicare rebate since forever.

Anyway...I’m keen to collate your collective wisdom on other Stupid Shit in Healthcare.

Hit me!
Go!
#stupidshitinhealthcare

@JudkinsSimon @andrewjtagg @DrEricLevi @catherinecrock @Nishaobgyn @inquisitiveGyn @anneelizpowell @traceymtay @char_durand @RachelleBuchbin @rpcounat @jilltomlinson @eyerait58 @theMJA @JPCHonline @DFTBubbles @TessaRDavis @claski @MyaCubitt

Wow this is a goodie:
GPs being asked to chase results on discharge summary.
But then not being able to get pathology results from hospitals without signed patient consents sent to pathology +/- medical records.
#stupidshitinhealthcare

Getting patients to drive for 4-6 hours to a city hospital for a 15-20 minute outpatient appointment.
#stupidshitinhealthcare

It’s 2019 so why do we have electronic prescribing systems where the discharge scripts have to be printed off for the hospital pharmacy?
And they aren’t accepted by outside pharmacies?

#stupidshitinhealthcare

Sending patients home from hospital who are immobile/recovering/vulnerable/on the weekend with only a short supply or inadequate supply of medications on discharge.
They’re going to run out, predictably, ya? Ya!
#stupidshitinhealthcare