The phenomenon of incompetence has seemingly gone viral in our society. Case in point - medical incompetence. Today, a physician that I consulted with gave me a prescription for Magic Mouthwash, which is compounded by the pharmacy. It includes various ingredients of the type that the last thing you want to do is take them systemically. Ingredients such as Dexamethasone, Lidocaine, etc. I noticed when I got home that the prescription had the instructions: Swish and Swallow. Knowing that some of the ingredients in the mix were not the type one of sound mind would swallow, I called the local CVS pharmacy. The technician assured me that the prescription was in error, but knowing that this physician is quite credentialed, I asked to speak with the pharmacist who also confirmed that Magic Mouthwash must be expectorated on completing of the swishing process, and it was not to be swallowed. I telephoned the physicians office asking to speak with either him or his nurse and when the nurse got on the telephone (I believe she actually wrote the prescription from the stored formula), she confirmed that one was supposed to swallow it. I asked however if she could check with the doctor and in that he was with a patient, she indicated that she would call me back. While awaiting the call back, I researched the substance on the internet where it was very clearly pointed out that magic mouthwash was was not to be swallowed, but expectorated on completion of the swishing process. The telephone then rang and the nurse indicated that the doctor indicated that it was up to the patient whether they swallowed it or expectorated it. Up to the patient - how stupid is that - you should not have options on how you choose to use pharmaceuticals! Now I dont know if she was covering up a mistake in her writing of the prescription, but instructions like that can kill people. When you read about the substance, it warns that your mouth might be numb to the extent that you cannot swallow or might bite your tongue. It points out that the effects might frighten some. Can you imagine what it would be like going down the pipes and landing in the stomach? I feel badly for people who dont become advocates for their own care. I had to give a lecture to my board certified physician pointing out things he was not particularly aware of regarding the issue that I sought his counsel for, but I had done my own extensive research prior (fortunately based on how things were progressing until I educated him) prior to the appointment. Again, incompetence is going viral and I see it getting worse! :( BTW, had I done my job as people so commonly do today, I would have managed to perhaps kill a few people and bend up some aircraft.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 21:07:35 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015