[Sooth2222]

The electronic medical record didn't tell the doctor about the information that the nurse obtained from the patient. It was all there, neatly filed in the medical record.

Of course the doctor "should" have asked the patient himself. But if the doctor practiced the kind of medicine that might have been expected just a few years ago, and asked the same questions that the nurse did, it would mean higher costs and lower revenues for the hospital.

(Electronic medical records are another aspect of Obamacare that might well kill us.)

[Mouton]

The electronic record fiasco reminds me of the theme in the movie The Verdict.

[bgill]

Asking questions takes up valuable time. These days, doctors are only allowed to spend X minutes with each patient and are called on the carpet if they exceed the time limit. Get ‘em in. Get ‘em out. Next!

[ladyjane]

I don’t think the ebola patient ever saw a doctor. If you go into a big city ER and have a gun shot wound, you’ll get to see a doctor. If you go in there complaining of flu symptoms, a tooth ache or wax in your ear don’t expect to see one.