When Notes Go Rogue (Part II)

"Have you noticed the cardiologist's notes?"

"Yeah, he does them early."

"No, I mean, they're not correct."

"What do you mean?"

"They do not reflect reality."

"Huh?"

"I don't think he is seeing the patients.  What he is writing in his notes is either cut and pasted from a previous note, or in some cases seems to be completely invented."

"Then you probably shouldn't rely on them."

"No kidding.  But I wanted to know what to do about them."

"What I just said.  Don't rely on them."

"But shouldn't we say something?"

"To an attending?  No."

"Why not?"

"Because he's an attending."

"But he's writing notes on patients he's not seeing."

"You don't know that."

"Either he's writing notes on patients he's not seeing, or all of his patients are crazy, even the ones who aren't."

"Okay, so there's another explanation.  You can't start accusing attendings of things."

"I just thought it might make sense to mention it to someone, in case, I don't know, someone reads his notes and makes a treatment decision based on them."

"Well, like I just said, you shouldn't rely on his notes.  What else do you want me to say?"

"That he shouldn't be making up notes on patients he isn't seeing, and, presumably, falsely billing for consults he isn't doing."

"Come on, I'm not the hospital police."

"I just don't think it's right.  Or sensible.  Or without risk to the patient and the hospital."

"I guess it just means you should make sure your notes are extra good."

"I guess it does."

"Have you seen the patient in 1206 yet?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"No.  See, it's confusing if I say I saw someone I haven't, isn't it?"

"Sure, but you're a fellow, not an attending."

"Okay, I'm going to go see the patient in 1206 now."

"Great.  Thanks."