jt40ronin 0 #1 July 17, 2003 Alright lets start this from the beginning. About a week and a half ago I dislocated my shoulder on a violent opening (have a history with this shoulder by the way). So I go to the emergency room to get it fixed. Now the problem begins. First I try to explain to them what happened and what is wrong, but they pretty much ignored me and insist on an x-ray before they will work on me (I mean come on this is the 4th dislocation on this shoulder). Then the procedure they use to fix my shoulder includes lots of drugs, multiple ivs, and lots of oxygen. After its put back into place they take more x-rays. Including a forearm x-ray?? which I never complained about and cannot object too because I am unconscious. Ok now I know all of this sounds pretty standard but, the last time I injured this shoulder which wasnt all that long ago the situation was handled very differently. First I did not get nor want an x-ray before they fixed it. They gave me very little drugs, just some morphine and a local in fact I was awake the whole time, no oxygen and only 2 x-rays when I was done. Now My question, is every hospitals procedures different, or is there some sort of standard to this. Do I have a case to make in not payin some or all of the bill because of the way it was handled (bill totals over $3,000). I mean if one hospital was able to do it quickly and without all the extra crap how come I had to go through that long drawn out affair. If there are any lawyers out there I could really use some help, or help from anybody else. Blue Skys Jason Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nubain1 0 #2 July 17, 2003 Every Dr. i sgoing to do the same procedure a different way.I've seen some e.r. docs use concious sedation for a dislocation and seen one who only used nitros on a dislocation.It's all up to the doc on what and how it gets done.Give me Dilaudid of Fentynal.I don't want to be able to feel a thing.Or if I have to feel it then give me Versed so I won't remember it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #3 July 17, 2003 Interesting things: First, here is something that all skydivers should be aware of. On July 1 of every year, new residents come in to the hospitals. This means that ER's and hospitals are populated by deer in the headlights. These are new doctors who are working their first medical jobs. They don't want to miss anything, and don't have the experience to know what is and is not necessary. So, think of the odds that you were treated by a doctor who is in his/her first week of being a doctor. This doctor apparently didn't miss a thing. BE ESPECIALLY SAFE THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS!!! Now that that is out of the way, another pragmatic fact is that you may be well-insured and there is a low census. This means that the hospital ain't particularly busy and your insurance will pay for these things. But, this may nor be the case since you cited the medical bill. On the medical point, I am no doctor. Nevertheless, I am a lawyer who defends them for a living. The doctor is smart for not wanting to work on you without an x-ray. Just because there was no bone damage in the past does not mean you didn't have bone damage this time. Also, the x-ray allows them to view the nature and extent of your dislocation. Thus, they know the best way to fix it. Medicine is as much art as science. There are any of a number of ways to go about treating you. These doctors just cgose to palliate you a bit more than the others probably to keep you from hurting like hell. Chances are this rookie had some GOMER come in with a similar injury who was screaming and yelling in the last week. Rather than deal with that, he'll make you a "good patient." Also, the later x-rays were to verify the proper reduction. Maybe they noticed something in your forearm on a previous x-ray. If it turned out something was wrong and they didn't follow up, your recovery on a lawsuit would make your bills look like peanuts. The IV's and oxygen were probably in the event the morphine did more than just knock you out, as it is known to do. My impression? Rookies playing it safe. They are being thorough. This doctor didn't breach the standard of care. This doctor likely exceeded it. Just know that you can always say no to a doctor unless it is deemed a true emergency. And, saying no in this event would lead to a fuck up. Then I would likely successfully defend said rookie. I know that there are some newbies out at UCLA who had a helluva start to their third week today due to events at Santa Monica. Poor kids.. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #4 July 17, 2003 Damn Jason... $3,000 is a lot of pack jobs.. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluepill 0 #5 July 17, 2003 Stop being a wus, save yourself some buck and just "manipulate" it yourself, as shown by Martin Riggs in many Lethal Weapon films Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
