Calls a positive blood culture…
Doctor: So you’re saying it’s a VRE
Me: No, it’s gram positive cocci in pairs in chains. It has to grow first before any ID can be performed.
Doc: Oh ok, so it’s VRE.
Me: No doctor, please understand I am only reporting the gram stain. There is no ID yet.
Doc: When will sensitivity be done on this VRE?
Me: ID and sensitivity will be done as soon as there’s growth (pre-Nanosphere days).
Doc: Well I need sensitivity on this VRE stat.
Me: Doctor, I cannot call this a VRE yet. It just came up positive and all I have is the gram stain.
A day later my medical director sternly reprimanded him for insisting the ID was VRE. It turned out to be a Streptococcus viridans contaminant.
Submitted by:
Cathie Williamson
Medical Technologist/Scientist
Minnesota, USA
My head hurts from reading the conversation 🤦♂️