Implications of stupidity....

Take a good look at this picture. Does this remind you of someone? Maybe you think he looks intelligent. Perhaps stern. His eyeglasses perched on the tip of his nose. What are his thoughts? Does he look angry to you?


His picture reminds me of an infamous surgeon that I have had the pleasure (note the acute sarcasm here)of dealing with on several occasions. If I ever have the misfortune of landing in the ER and this guy is standing over me, then I will know that I have died and gone to hell. Alas, if I ever have need of a surgical consult for me or a family member in the middle of the night, I will contact the ER and see who is "on call" for the night.

What has led me to be so wary of Dr. Mad you might ask? He has quite a reputation (and it's not a good one I can assure you) throughout the hospital. One of his patients was scheduled for an AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) repair. Before surgery, after insertion of an arterial line and PA catheter in PACU, she became extremely anxious. She stated that she did not want the surgery, she wanted the lines removed and then to be discharged home. Dr. Mad comes in to speak with her as we requested and sternly informs her that she "can have the surgery and live or go home without surgery and die." Meanwhile, all the nurses are screaming inside, "Get off that stretcher NOW, run for your life!!!" She continues to insist upon leaving when Dr. Mad orders another nurse to give her Versed 2 mg IV now. Isn't that considered using chemical restraints? hmmmmmmmmm.....

Well, to make a long story short, Dr. Mad gets his day in the OR and it turns out that Ms. AAA was right. Poor woman barely survives his 6 hour gauntlet. She ends up on a ventilator for a few days in ICU, sick as hell. Finally manages to get off the vent, then is scheduled for (more than one) hematoma evacuation. Ten bucks says he's not her surgeon anymore.

Dr. Mad is also infamous for fem-pop bypasses. Mr. S/P fem-pop presents to the PACU in excruciating pain in his left lower extremity. Nurse Do-good is unable to palpate any pulses distally. No pulses per doppler either. Dr. Mad is summoned and patient's condition reported. He tries to palpate pulses... nope, not there. Attempts to obtain pulses with the doppler... nope, nothing. Tries another doppler.... still no pulses. Calls the OR to bring another doppler. By now all the nurses are silently exchanging the "you can't find it if it's not there" look.

The doppler arrives from the OR. Dr. Mad finally obtains a pulse, a popliteal pulse that is. Excitedly rants for all to hear, "There it is! Those dopplers aren't working! Get them fixed now!" We get Mr. Biomed to examine them and, of course, they are both in perfect working condition.

Mr. Biomed confronts Dr. Mad elsewhere who attempts to show him they do not work by example. Mr. Biomed informs Dr. Mad that there is no pulse at that particular anatomical location, places the probe on his own radial artery and.... swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.. what do you know? It works.

Dr. Mad then tells Mr. Biomed to "go back and tell them that you had to replace the battery or something." Naturally, Mr. B returns with our equipment and the entire sordid story of what really happened.

Dr. Mad did not grace us with his presence for quite some time after that. Perhaps it was the raucous laughter of nurses floating from the recovery room as our dopplers were returned by Mr. B that drove him away. We don't miss his ranting and raving to say the least.

Don't misunderstand please. There are some excellent physicians and surgeons to be found. Just be careful who you choose, it could be your last.


Thought for the day:
If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.