Quick Visit

A mother brought her son to the emergency department with a rather non-emergent complaint … chapped lips. The registration clerk started taking the registration information. “Can I get the patient’s name and date of birth please?” “Yes, it’s Johnny …” The clerk got distracted by the patient who first licked his lips, then smacked his lips, then rubbed his finger back and forth over his lips. “You know, you shouldn’t do that. That’s probably why your lips are so irritated.” Back to the mother. “His name is Johnny Smith. His date of birth …” The kid licked his lips, made a smacking sound, and rubbed his finger over his lips again. “Maybe you could get some Chap Stick from your mom. You really shouldn’t rub your lips like that.” Back to the mother. “Sorry. What was his date of birth again?” “December 17, 2008.” The registration clerk started typing and all of a sudden, the registration clerk slams her hand on the desk and yells “STOP THAT!” The kid looked at her in horror. She started to apologize. “I’m so sorry …” This time the mother interrupted. “That’s EXACTLY what he needed! He don’t listen to me. You gonna listen to HER now? Huh? You gonna listen to HER when she tells you not to do that?” The kid kept his eyes fixed on the registration clerk and slowly nodded his head. Then the mom t...
Source: WhiteCoat's Call Room - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Patient Encounters Source Type: blogs