America's Stunningly Overpriced Healthcare System In 2 Charts

[magical thyme]

52. depends on the symptoms...if it appears systemic

say, spiking a high fever, then we can run tests at the ER that they can't run at the doctor's office, and get the results faster.

We had a patient recently with a post-op infection. The symptoms were such that they ran blood cultures. If the infection had gotten into the bloodstream, we'd be able to pick it up within hours and although it will take some time to identify the pathogen and sensitivity, at least we can let the doctors know they're looking at bacteremia or possible septicemia.

Luckily for me in this case, they only ordered one set of blood cultures and the nurse pulled all the specs off the IV setup. Lucky because I've had to draw very ill 6 year olds who were more stoic than this young adult, who, quite frankly, was a big, fat baby. Admittedly with no veins, but still, crying, begging, shaking, refusing, while his mommy sat there all upset at her poor widdle baby.

I was very, very nice, which I always am to patients, but inside I heaved a humongous sigh of relief when I got out of there scott free.