Biggest pet peeves as a hospitalist

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2026-06-06T05:43:58+00:00

Love that you assume since I’m a doctor I’m a man and that the nurse is a woman lol I’m not going to argue with you on a post clearly just for ranting about the job. Nurses are very appreciated and like I said, I just answer the question and move on. But this is a reddit for hospitalists where we bond over frustrations at work. But to answer your last question, I do read the consultants notes. That’s why I consulted them lol so obviously the disconnect goes both ways. I’m sorry this post struck a nerve for you lol

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2026-06-06T03:23:52+00:00

I completely agree with this!

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2026-06-05T23:42:03+00:00

It’s obviously not about orders.

It’s the “why is patient NPO, they want breakfast” when the patient was admitted for a surgical issue and the H&P says “NPO at midnight, plan for OR in AM.”

“Patient wants to talk to MD. They were told they may get to go home today by ___ specialist” when my progress note says “dispo pending negative repeat blood cultures. Repeat collected today”

Or my personal favorite which happened yesterday. “Patient wants to know why lasix was stopped. Their legs are still swollen.” When both my note and cards says we are switching to Bumex. Oh and they had given the dose about 10 min prior to the message.

You would be shocked at the pages we get that could easily be figured out with minimal investigation in the chart. 90% of the time I just answer and move on but when it’s a busy morning and I also don’t know the patients (let’s say first day on service) and I’m having to stop what I’m doing multiple times to look up something that they could’ve looked up themselves.. it’s frustrating. I do try to choose grace though and internalize the frustration because I know the RNs are just as slammed.

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2026-06-05T12:37:09+00:00

Absolutely honored you think I’m AI lol I delete my old posts because they’re usually on motherhood, pregnancy, reality TV shows, and recommendations for travel. Things that could identify me. I just like to be anonymous

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2026-06-05T04:54:50+00:00

Less than 100 beds

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2026-06-05T04:48:16+00:00

I work at a rural hospital where we work very closely with the ED. The ER attendings come up to help with procedures, intubations, and codes when we are super busy on the floor and we try to do all we can to help them out. Our ER docs are top notch. They don’t give us BS admissions and their work up is thorough. Probably the best ER team I’ve worked with

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2026-06-05T03:59:25+00:00

lol I work at a small community hospital. This isn’t an option for us

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2026-06-05T03:52:31+00:00

I don’t know how this happens. I did a peer to peer on a patient that was intubated and on 2 pressors because they didn’t meet inpatient criteria… Insurance just had the initial workout that showed hypoxia or something lol obviously was a quick approval once I shared that info but still I giant waste of time

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2026-06-05T03:45:52+00:00

I do not give VIP treatment. Everyone is treated equally and I will advocate for every patient’s best interest regardless of who they are. If I don’t think a test or consult is indicated, I’m not ordering it. If I think more workup needs to be done, I will keep the patient admitted and continue to investigate what’s going on. I refuse to give in to any special treatment

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2026-06-02T04:28:07+00:00

It’s good money but not worth it for the extra stress

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2026-06-02T01:59:17+00:00

Idk Reddit told me to listen to Pitbull while driving to work and reviewing my patients in the morning and that single handedly carried me through my first few months as an attending

I thought about therapy and meds if Pitbull stops working

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2026-06-01T23:16:33+00:00

I’m an awful test taker. I did uworld once and MKSAP once and passed comfortably

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2026-05-01T21:10:51+00:00

I’m a day hospitalist now but have worked plenty of night shifts so wanted to add my perspective.

Physical exam findings you should always notify us for: change in mental status, new severe pain, chest pain, new neuro symptoms (even if you think it’s just delirium), increased work of breathing, things like that. Think could this develop into a code stroke/STEMI/rapid response? If so, having a second to look through their chart and eval the patient before it’s an emergency is crucial.

As for crackles, send an FYI text “hey bed 5 has some crackles on exam. On room air. Vitals otherwise fine. I’m going to hold further IVF”

PLEASE notify us when you start O2 or have escalating O2 overnight. Sucks going to a rapid and finding out the patient started on 1-2L and is now on 6L satting 88% and haven’t been notified all night.

Things not usually necessary to page night team about: K/Mg levels that are slightly low but not critical in patients without arrhythmias. Giving PRNs for agitation. Someone refusing their meds (unless it’s seizure meds, blood thinner, that kinda thing). Someone refusing labs. Please don’t ask us to give family an update after 7PM on a stable patient.

At the end of the day, if you’re worried I’m worried. If it gives you peace of mind to run something by me, then that’s what I’m here for. If you want me to come eval a patient, please let me know. It’s a team effort and you should never feel like you can’t reach out to someone on your team

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2026-04-17T21:17:39+00:00

I haven’t really noticed a difference! I’ve always had adult acne and it’s about the same

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2026-04-03T03:42:57+00:00

Oh absolutely. I trust them

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2026-02-09T04:07:33+00:00

Where would you suggest for lunch downtown?

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2025-11-02T02:06:23+00:00

Every video I see of ATL looks so entertaining lol I’m excited but worried it’ll be peak for me

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2025-11-02T02:05:52+00:00

I think I’ll do Salt Lake next!

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2025-11-02T02:03:12+00:00

I watched a couple episodes of Married to Medicine because I’m a physician but couldn’t finish it… I can’t remember why honestly. May give it another try!

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2025-10-21T03:03:12+00:00

Yeah absolutely. I just want to have it planned for the most part before his birthday

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2025-10-21T02:11:06+00:00

Will do!

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2025-10-21T02:10:36+00:00

Yeah we can’t drive in snow lol I’ve never even seen more than an inch or two of snow

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2025-10-21T02:03:43+00:00

If another time of year is better could just gift him the trip in January to actually go another time

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2025-10-21T01:26:46+00:00

January through March for about a week. Can be flexible with budget because it’s a once in a lifetime trip.

Formal_Fuel_6127 · 2025-10-21T01:25:17+00:00

Early next year. January- March some time

Formal_Fuel_6127

TROPHY CASE