When I was a newly graduated PT I came across the acronym HOH while perusing a patient's chart. Hmmm, I thought, what does HOH mean? I soon figured it out when I went to see the patient and had to repeat myself ten times at different pitches and decibel levels to get her to hear what I was saying.
HOH = Hard Of Hearing. It's one of those weird abbreviations that medical people use in order to limit the number of words being used when documenting in charts. HOH usually comes up now when I get new referrals for home care patients. The referral will say something like "pt. is HOH - please speak loudly when you call".
Today I called a new patient to schedule for tomorrow. I was told this patient had a history of being "difficult" and "non-compliant". I usually take this type of information with a grain of salt until I actually get to know the person. The referral neglected to mention the fact that the patient was also extremely hard of hearing.
This lady gives HOH a whole new meaning . . .
Patient: Hello?
Me: Hello - this is . . .
Patient: HELLO?? HELLO??
Me: Yes, hello - this . . .
Patient: WHAT? SPEAK UP! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!
Me: This is Alina . . .
Patient: I SAID - I CAN'T HEAR YOU!
Me: This is the physical therapist.
Patient: WHAT?
Me: PHY-SI-CAL THER-A-PIST!
Patient: Physical therapist? What's your name?
Me: Ali ---
Patient: TALK LOUDER! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!
Me: ALINA!
Patient: Shaliya?
Me: No, ALINA!
Patient: Sha-ni-na?
Me: A - LI - NA!!!!!! (screaming now)
Patient: Alina?
Me: yes.
Patient: What do you want?
Me: I'd like to come see you tomorrow.
Patient: What? When?
Me: 10 o'clock.
Patient: 10 O'CLOCK?? That's too early.
Me: Ok, how about one?
Patient: One? Ok. When you get here can you clip my toenails?
Me: No. I'm the physical therapist. I don't clip toenails.
Patient: I need someone to clip my toenails. I'm just sitting here in this chair and I can't reach my feet.
Me: You'll have to ask the nurse about that.
Patient: Who is this again?
Me: Alina, the physical therapist.
Patient: Sha-nee-qua?
Me: A - LI - NA!!!!!!
Patient: Alina?
Me: Yes. I will see you tomorrow at one o'clock.
Patient: I don't know if I'll be here. You'd better call back later and talk to my son.
1 comment:
You make me laugh, cry and I can live a "family life" vicariously through you! This just made my day. And 10 bucks says you are on toenail duty tomorrow! Hope you will keep me on the private list!
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