By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    All-On-4 Dental Implant Surgery: A Guide to the Recovery Process
    All-On-4 Dental Implant Surgery: A Guide to the Recovery Process
    March 22, 2023
    scaling a pharmaceutical product
    Important Steps to Take for Scaling A Biopharma Product
    May 2, 2023
    Liposuction
    The Science Behind Liposuction: How It Works to Sculpt Your Body
    August 23, 2023
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Nursing Shortage Cheerleaders: There You Go Again
    March 22, 2012
    Myth Busters #9: Hysteria Over the Uninsured
    September 27, 2011
    What Causes Inflammation? A Comprehensive Look At The Causes and Effects Of Inflammation (part 3)
    April 10, 2012
    Latest News
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Emergency On-Call Physician Policy – A Doctor Dissents
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Health Reform > Emergency On-Call Physician Policy – A Doctor Dissents
Health ReformHospital AdministrationMedical EthicsTechnology

Emergency On-Call Physician Policy – A Doctor Dissents

Michael Kirsch
Last updated: February 16, 2016 5:30 pm
Michael Kirsch
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE
I am known by my patients and friends for my calm, imperturbable manner.  Yes, I am equipped with the full range of human emotions, but few folks have ever seen me raise my voice or demonstrate bulging next veins.  I am not suggesting this is a virtue or a character flaw, but is just the way I am wired.
 
Sure, I get irritated and frustrated with the absurdities of life, as we all do.   For those who cannot relate here, may I suggest calling any airline carrier to discuss changing your ticke
I am known by my patients and friends for my calm, imperturbable manner.  Yes, I am equipped with the full range of human emotions, but few folks have ever seen me raise my voice or demonstrate bulging next veins.  I am not suggesting this is a virtue or a character flaw, but is just the way I am wired.
 
Sure, I get irritated and frustrated with the absurdities of life, as we all do.   For those who cannot relate here, may I suggest calling any airline carrier to discuss changing your ticket reservation.  If that fails,  then have a go at reaching out for tech support when your home internet goes ‘poof’!
Last week, I did become irritated when I was notified one evening about a patient’s abnormal blood test result.  I was on-call for our gastroenterology group, so I would be the designated physician to notify with concerning test results.  Why, then, was I miffed?
 
Our community hospital uses a ‘new and improved’ system for notifying physicians after hours of significantly abnormal test results.  The hospital loves it.  I hate it.  Here’s how it works.
 
First, I receive a text message notifying me that a patient has a CRITICAL TEST RESULT.  I am then directed to call a 10 digit phone number, when I will be greeted by a robotic menu system.  After enduring this labyrinth, I will be directed to insert a long series of numbers, a code which will lead to either a non-human voice announcing an abnormal lab value, or to a radiologist’s dictation of a CAT scan report or some other x-ray study.  The hospital is happy as once I complete the process, their system indicates that the physician has heard the message and now bears full responsibility.  They are in the clear.  Here’s some of my objections.
 
  • The initial text message often arrives when I am driving.   Attempting this process while driving would be suicidal.
  • The messages announcing the abnormalities are not given with any patient contact information or medical details.  While the hospital is happy, I then have the fun and excitement of trying to find the patient’s phone number, not easy to do at 9 pm.  When I can’t reach the individual, it guarantees a night of insomnia for me.
  • Try listening to any radiologist’s dictation.   I’ve done this many times and often cannot ascertain which language is being spoken. 
 

I called the lab director and begged to be removed from this automated system.  I argued that, while it satisfied the hospital’s documentation police, it was not serving patients or doctors well.  If a test result is CRITICAL, then I want to be called by a living and breathing human being.  The two of us will have what is called a conversation, providing me with sufficient knowledge so that I will be reasonably equipped when I reach out for the patient.  I may want, for example, to hear results of prior tests, so that I will understand the current results in context.  Get the point here?

The lab director couldn’t promise to release me from electronic bondage.  Throughout the medical profession, I witness the duel between documentation and doctoring.  Guess who’s winning.

 
TAGGED:doctor-patient communication
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

healthcare facilities
Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
Global Healthcare Infographics
June 15, 2025
from gut to glow
From Plate to Wellness: How Everyday Foods Nourish Your Body Inside and Out
Dental health Infographics Specialties
June 15, 2025
beyond nutrition
Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
Health Infographics
June 15, 2025
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy
How TMS Therapy Helps with Treatment-Resistant Mental Illness
Mental Health Therapies
June 13, 2025

You Might also Like

Are Hospitals Prepared for the HCAHPS?

April 19, 2012
The Modern and Portable Oxygen Concentrators That You Need
Hospital AdministrationTechnology

The Modern and Portable Oxygen Concentrators That You Need

December 4, 2019
mobile tech at HIMSS 2014
eHealthMobile HealthTechnology

HIMSS14: Early Adopters? Not So Much

February 27, 2014
Obamacare
BusinessFinanceHealth Reform

Millennials: Obamacare Costs Less Than Your Cell Phone Bill

June 30, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?