Is there any bleeding?

Hey, can you look at a CT for the patient in ###?

Sorry I don't know patient rooms or even how to find that information. Do you know the patient's name?

Hold on let me look. ... ... ... ... Oh ya, it's ###, ###.

Ok so there are several scans from today. Did you have a question?

No, I was talking about the one that hasn't been read yet.

Oh, the one ordered routine. I don't read those at 4am while on call but I'd be happy to take a peek and answer a specific question you have.

Ya so is there any bleeding?

What do you mean? Like what kind of bleeding? Retroperitoneal? GI?

Oh just any bleeding. I want to start lovenox but I need to make sure there isn't any bleeding.

Is there a history of bleeding or any specific reason you'd think there would be bleeding?

No, I wanted to start lovenox and needed to make sure there wasn't any bleeding.

... ... ... ... So this is a noncon CT abdomen and pelvis and not really a good way to detect bleeding. I can see a hematoma or a huge bleed but this isn't a good test for that indication.

Oh. Ok. So no bleeding then?

... ... ... Ya, no bleeding.

Thanks for letting me know things don't get read if not STAT. I didn't know that. I would have ordered these STAT if I'd know. Oh I have another one. A CT head on ### ###. Is there any bleeding?

ADDENDUM: Hey quick question if I order a CT abdomen and pelvis would you be able to see prostate stones?

Do you mean bladder calculi?

No the patient and his wife are adamant he has prostate stones. His has seen a urologist who disagrees but they're adamant.

Well prostates don't get stones, they get calcifications. Like in the prostate. And they don't do anything. We just don't even talk about them usually.

Ok but if I wanted to see them would they be on the CT abdomen and pelvis?

Why would you need to see them? They're benign. They don't cause issues.

We want to confirm he has them.

And what will you do with that information?

Nothing, but the family really is adamant he has them even though the urologist said he doesn't.

... ... ... ... How about you get a KUB.

You'll see them on that too?

Ya, sure.