Attack of Robo-Nurse!
Dec. 13th, 2004 11:16 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hiddenmuseDon't get me wrong, I think it's fantastic that many (if not, all) health insurance carriers have a 24-hour line staffed by RNs that people can call, when they're questioning whether or not to seek medical attention on something.
In the past, the Nurse Line staffed by United HealthCare has been very helpful when Dr. Mom wasn't available. :)
However, when I called the nurse line provided by Blue Cross of California - I seemed to get Nurse Ratchet, with an accent. I explained my situation - the dog bite. That I'd been treated after it happened, and I was doing my own aftercare at home - Neosporin and dressing changes twice daily. But, I was still in pain, and experiencing some swelling and discomfort - yet I didn't think it was ER-worthy.
Oh Good Goddess ... you would've thought that I called in and said that "I just had my right arm sliced off with a hatchet - but it's only a flesh wound." I was reprimanded for not getting to the ER post-dog bite *that day*, even though the dog had had all of her shots, and I'd had a tetanus shot less than 6 months ago.
Well pardon me ... I thought I was doing The Right ThingTM, and I didn't think it was something that I should dash my ass into the Emergency Room over. If she'd taken off my toe - or bitten another appendage, or even my face, then hell yes, I'd be in the ER faster than anything.
But, since my internist is doing us all a favor and retiring next week, and I don't exactly want to make an appointment with a new doctor by stating "Hi - I was bitten by a dog on Saturday..." I will appease all involved by going to an Urgent Care clinic this afternoon, to get my foot checked out. To make sure that I have been doing The Right ThingTM until I could get to a doctor, ensure that there is no damage to the joint or nerves in my toe, and most importantly, no infection in the wound site. And, of course, probably get reprimanded again for not seeking help sooner.
My argument would be that "Hey, at least I got it taken care of now, rather than letting it reach gangrene state." :-X
ETA: I went to Urgent Care on my lunch hour, and there is no sign of infection. Yes, my foot is supposed to be sore and swollen - the dog bite was like a glorified puncture wound/tissue trauma. I'd been doing the right things in changing the bandaging twice daily, keeping my foot elevated and taking Ibuprofin. The only changes are using Betadine instead of Neosporin on the bites, and leaving it uncovered in the evening, to help it heal. And oh yeah, I even got a prescription for some Vicodin to help with the pain and sleeping at night. (As though my seizure meds are stopping me from (over)sleeping right now!)
As for the ER - no reprimand. Just an agreement that if I'd have gone on Saturday, I probably would've been seen by now. ;)
In the past, the Nurse Line staffed by United HealthCare has been very helpful when Dr. Mom wasn't available. :)
However, when I called the nurse line provided by Blue Cross of California - I seemed to get Nurse Ratchet, with an accent. I explained my situation - the dog bite. That I'd been treated after it happened, and I was doing my own aftercare at home - Neosporin and dressing changes twice daily. But, I was still in pain, and experiencing some swelling and discomfort - yet I didn't think it was ER-worthy.
Oh Good Goddess ... you would've thought that I called in and said that "I just had my right arm sliced off with a hatchet - but it's only a flesh wound." I was reprimanded for not getting to the ER post-dog bite *that day*, even though the dog had had all of her shots, and I'd had a tetanus shot less than 6 months ago.
Well pardon me ... I thought I was doing The Right ThingTM, and I didn't think it was something that I should dash my ass into the Emergency Room over. If she'd taken off my toe - or bitten another appendage, or even my face, then hell yes, I'd be in the ER faster than anything.
But, since my internist is doing us all a favor and retiring next week, and I don't exactly want to make an appointment with a new doctor by stating "Hi - I was bitten by a dog on Saturday..." I will appease all involved by going to an Urgent Care clinic this afternoon, to get my foot checked out. To make sure that I have been doing The Right ThingTM until I could get to a doctor, ensure that there is no damage to the joint or nerves in my toe, and most importantly, no infection in the wound site. And, of course, probably get reprimanded again for not seeking help sooner.
My argument would be that "Hey, at least I got it taken care of now, rather than letting it reach gangrene state." :-X
ETA: I went to Urgent Care on my lunch hour, and there is no sign of infection. Yes, my foot is supposed to be sore and swollen - the dog bite was like a glorified puncture wound/tissue trauma. I'd been doing the right things in changing the bandaging twice daily, keeping my foot elevated and taking Ibuprofin. The only changes are using Betadine instead of Neosporin on the bites, and leaving it uncovered in the evening, to help it heal. And oh yeah, I even got a prescription for some Vicodin to help with the pain and sleeping at night. (As though my seizure meds are stopping me from (over)sleeping right now!)
As for the ER - no reprimand. Just an agreement that if I'd have gone on Saturday, I probably would've been seen by now. ;)
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no subject
Date: 2004-12-13 12:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-12-13 02:50 pm (UTC)Those can be worse, because kitties have dirty mouths and serious fangs ... lol
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Date: 2004-12-13 05:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-12-14 12:11 pm (UTC)At least doggies do the humans they attack a favor by tearing the skin open some, so infection risk isn't as bad!
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Date: 2004-12-13 03:37 pm (UTC)"California Gimp"
no subject
Date: 2004-12-13 04:44 pm (UTC)I've had my fair share of sprained ankles - about 7 in my lifetime - so I know what a pain in the ass that can be. And always the right ankle, oddly enough.
*smooches* Hope you get to feeling better soon!