Unless I have an extremely clear cut answer, any elderly patient with abd pain gets a CT when they see me.
I have sone away with using the stock discharge instructions in Epic. I take 60 seconds and type out this is what you were seen here for today, these were the tests that were done, these were the medications you were given. These are the diagnoses we discussed, this is your final diagnosis (if available), this is your followup plan, these are your return precautions. I also add my schedule for the week, encouraging them to call with any questions or concerns. I also typically give them copies of any image reports or lab results completed. This way, even if they forget what I said on discharge, they have a written copy of all of it for reference. I don't know if this will ever save me or improve my patient outcomes but I hope so!
Dallas, I completely agree! Though we don't really have data on all these things that you and I do (such as recording the conversation in the MDM, individualized discharge instructions, etc) it certainly can't hurt - and I COMPLETELY agree that if you are over 65, it is a CT scan until proven otherwise!!
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James H. - July 6, 2018 10:19 AM
Abd pain in the elderly. What’s the risk of a CT in someone who’s pretty much 70
Mike W. - July 6, 2018 10:25 AM
Exactly - super surprising a CT was not done on this guy!! Thx for the comments!
Dallas Holladay, DO - July 20, 2018 9:26 AM
Unless I have an extremely clear cut answer, any elderly patient with abd pain gets a CT when they see me.
I have sone away with using the stock discharge instructions in Epic. I take 60 seconds and type out this is what you were seen here for today, these were the tests that were done, these were the medications you were given. These are the diagnoses we discussed, this is your final diagnosis (if available), this is your followup plan, these are your return precautions. I also add my schedule for the week, encouraging them to call with any questions or concerns. I also typically give them copies of any image reports or lab results completed. This way, even if they forget what I said on discharge, they have a written copy of all of it for reference. I don't know if this will ever save me or improve my patient outcomes but I hope so!
Mike W. - July 20, 2018 9:39 AM
Dallas, I completely agree! Though we don't really have data on all these things that you and I do (such as recording the conversation in the MDM, individualized discharge instructions, etc) it certainly can't hurt - and I COMPLETELY agree that if you are over 65, it is a CT scan until proven otherwise!!