| 1. |
Typical diseases never present typically and atypical diseases will never present only when you don't suspect them. |
| 2. |
You will never be sued for good communication with the staff or your patients. |
| 3. |
a.) Lacerations always cut through tendons, nerves and arteries until proven otherwise. |
| |
b.) Chest pains are cardiac until proven otherwise. |
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c.) Headaches are subarchnoid hemorrages until proven otherwise. |
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d.) Serious illness is present until proven otherwise--that's why we call it Emergency Medicine. |
| 4. |
Specialists are always awake at 3 am. Remember to call them for consultations. |
| 5. |
Patients who return to the ER department after visiting earlier in the day usually have something seriously wrong. A "bounce back" is a red flag. |
| 6. |
Always talk to everyone--nurses, paramedics, family...they are excellent sources of additional information in the search for the truth about what occurred or why the patient is there. |
| 7. |
Patients are usually quite smart about their own diseases. Give them the benefit of the doubt--and believe what they say. |
| 8. |
When in doubt, admit the patient. |
| 9. |
Senior citizens are always sicker than they appear or state. Teenagers are always pregnant and usually will deny it until asked three times. |
| 11. |
If you think of doing a particular test--do it. You will only regret not having done it later that night when you go home. The worry is not worth it. |
