#postcallreflections

Inappropriate consults

We’re all busy and can get annoyed by inappropriate consults. Surgery consults that are specialty specific coming to acute care surgery or trauma.

But do we ever pause and put ourselves in our consulting physician’s shoes?

When someone calls you to ask for help, they’re stuck. They’re not sure what the next step is and they’re calling you for guidance.

For us, it maybe as simple as saying call the other specialty service who handles this problem better or suggesting the next set of tests to order.

What about when the person consulting you has an emergency, they’re worried about their patient, and no one else is available or willing to help?

You’re their last resort to help their patient. But it’s not your field. And you’re probably not going to intervene.

What then?

Sometimes your mere physical presence can have a significant impact on a patient’s care. While you may not be able to physically intervene in the patient’s medical care, your position and influence can significantly impact a patient’s outcome.

I learned this important lesson from a non-surgeon. As a 3rd yr (and the most senior) resident at the bedside of a bleeding patient, it was the IR physician who came to the bedside to help me at 2 am.

Did he intervene?

Nope

But he made sure the patient got the treatment he needed and stayed with me until it was done.

Now I try to practice with that same courtesy.

One of my non-surgeon colleagues called me last night worried about a patient. It wasn’t ACS or trauma. But I showed up. And we (he) took care of the patient.

#takecareoftheptient