A Paucity of Words, an Excess of Confusion

Deb begins presenting one of her patients as we start Cardiology rounds. "This is Joe Smith, who has Diagnosis X. His weight today is--"

"Hold it," commands the cardiologist, pulling out his notes, dating one, and putting a name and medical record number on top. "I'm not ready yet."

Deb nods, and gets quiet.

When the cardiologist is ready, he says, "Weight." (We always start our presentation with the patient's daily weight.)

Deb, misunderstanding, nods again and waits.

"Weight!" Now the cardiologist is getting upset, and Deb is getting confused. She spreads her hands, palms up, and continues to wait.

"The weight, Deb, he wants to know how much the kid weighs," I mutter, and she cracks up. To his credit, the cardiologist does too.