NP Hospitalist stole my diagnosis and is getting PR for it

[LT_Oneal_PAC]

So, I’m not entirely sure if he claimed credit, or they gave him credit and he didn’t deny it. 
 

While covering the floor on the weekend the nurses called me because a bullous rash was getting worse. She’s a skilled patient that I normally don’t deal with. Get a history and immediately recognize this is bullous pemphigoid that’s been misdiagnosed for months as cellulitis. Call derm at the referral center. They think it’s medication reaction, which I disagree, but it’s treated basically the same. The next note he says he spoke with derm and patient has working diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid. This was a couple months ago. today I read on the hospital FB page that he diagnosed her pemphigoid and tirelessly worked to get her better, changing her life.
 

As EM, I’ve had my diagnosis credited to someone else all the time. But this guy is a complete moron. I’ve sent 2 of his patients to the ICU because he put them in renal failure requiring dialysis. My EM director and I both hate him and think he doesn’t know he a-hole from a hole in the ground. 
 

im thinking I’ll just give it to my director and ask if he can determine if he took the credit or if someone just gave it to him and he didn’t deny it. It is very clear from the notes I made the diagnosis later confirmed on biopsy by derm. 
 

like I said, I don’t need accolades or a FB post about me, but I certainly don’t want anyone thinking he has a single brain cell more than he does. 
 

thoughts? Let it go? Or let my director deal with it?

[newton9686]

Let it go. Give the blind squirrel a nut. 

[UGoLong]

18 minutes ago, newton9686 said:

Let it go. Give the blind squirrel a nut. 

This.

That he is an NP is also besides the point; a-holes come in many varieties and are freely found in all environments. In the end, how you feel about your catch is what's probably the most important. 

Success has many fathers; failure is an orphan. And lots even well-meaning people take credit for their little part in something good. You sir however are the granddaddy this time out. Nice catch!

[ventana]

might causally bring it up to your director, not formally but let him know

it is something he might log away and keep for future use about this "moron"

 

but in general let it go (till the next time you see said moron and then ask him how he came up with it!)

[LT_Oneal_PAC]

To clarify, I’m overall letting it go. I’m not going to whine to anyone. Im not a spotlight kind of guy and prefer my anonymity. I’ve learned the fewer people that know your name the easier life is. 
 

I’m mainly considering bringing it up to my medical director as he has already been compiling complaints such as: him making up lab tests in sign out that support his diagnosis, him putting patients on Eliquis and heparin for a “PE” (there was no PE ultimately) that bleed into their chest, countless unnecessary antibiotics (2 weeks zosyn for small wound debridement), giving fluconazole without checking INRs while on Coumadin, and more. 
 

the only question about bringing it up is does it make me look whiny (not what I want), or will it actually add to the pile to get rid of this guy who will eventually kill a patient.
 

@UGoLongthe fact he is an NP makes me want to give him a pass more than anything. I mentioned his credentials only for completeness. We had an MD Hospitalist before him that was much worse as a clinician and we have several NPs on staff that are excellent. I am, in fact, the only PA in the hospital.

[ohiovolffemtp]

I would definitely have that discussion with your medical director, with a specific question about whether the needed paper trail is being built.

[Reality Check 2]

The Karma Bus moves too slowly and patient safety is the bigger issue.

I have a director title with no supervisory status and certainly no extra pay but I get to “mentor” my directees. 

A problem NP has required me to do write ups several times. They are painfully necessary as the ONLY way we have to work with govt HR on eventually doing something about a problem provider. 

For the sake of your bad provider and patient safety - write it up for a file and ask your director to consider false faith in this provider’s intellect as the potential harm.

You rocked the situation and your boss knows it. And so do you.

Wish that was always enough…..

Rock on!

[LT_Oneal_PAC]

Thanks for the advice all. I sent an email to my director, being very clear I don’t want my name mentioned at all or any kudos. Just a concerning trend regarding quality and integrity. If he wants to do nothing with it, that’s fine. It’s not my place to publicly call him out.