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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to expect a doctor to read a x-ray

17 replies

cheshirekitty · 25/02/2008 20:20

Last Saturday I fell getting out of the hot tub (I know there goes the sympathy). Anyway, went to A&E on Monday as still very sore, had x-ray. Told no bones broken, take a week off work with painkillers. Did not take any time off work as colleagues would be under pressure (work in the NHS).

Just got my x-ray report validated by radiologist - 2 fractures in lumbar spine.
Maybe I should have taken some time off work.
Have been walking/working/driving around for over a week.

OP posts:

hunkermunker · 25/02/2008 20:23

Oh, you poor thing!

I hope you are resting now.

Weegle · 25/02/2008 20:23

I had a similar thing with my DS - fell off a slide and clearly injured arm. At hospital had x-ray, told not broken. Got a phone call from a radiologist the next day telling us to bring him straight in as it was broken and needed casting. Apparently x-rays aren't always seen by a radiologist if one isn't on duty, but reviewed later. Seems a bit dodgy to me.

Poor you, what are they doing about it now?

Original poster

cheshirekitty · 25/02/2008 20:26

Figure if I have been working for over a week, the worst is over so am going into work tomorrow. Thought I was being a bit of a wimp with the painkillers.

OP posts:

mangojuice · 25/02/2008 20:30

This happened to my husband with a fractured skull. They rang him to come back in for emergeny surgery

hotbot · 25/02/2008 20:35

there is rarely a radiologist present o/c for plain film rfeporting as they cost too much.
hope you are feeling better cheshirekitty

pistachio · 25/02/2008 20:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hotbot · 25/02/2008 20:42

no, a radiographer does the x-ray, or assistant practitioner (cheaper version of radiographer)
tbh an experienced radiographer is often better than a ickle houseofficer or senior houseofficer at spotting abnormalities. When thr radiogrpaher checks the x-ray she is generally ensuring that the area of interets i.e. your spine is of good enogh quality to diagnose any injury. All x-rays taken in our trust are reviewd by radiologists - (qualified drs,and x-ray experts) the next day fro missed #s

hotbot · 25/02/2008 20:43

luckily my skills do not reflect the greatness of my spelling/typing

pistachio · 25/02/2008 21:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HonoriaGlossop · 25/02/2008 21:23

oh my goodness cheshire! That is truly awful. Hope you are better. Surely you shouldn't be going to work - have they given you any advice? I know you went when you didn't know what it was - but now you do, blimey, if you can't have time off for a fractured spine, when can you!

Original poster

cheshirekitty · 25/02/2008 22:12

As I said I work for the NHS. I had 2 days off in Jan when I had an op, so do not want to take more time off.

I once had 2 days off with really bad cold (had not had a day off in 4 years, and had to have a back to work interview which lasted 45 minutes), so you can see why we dont take days off.

OP posts:

HonoriaGlossop · 25/02/2008 22:38

yes, but .....fractured spine!!!!!

ye gods! Surely the NHS should be setting a better example of caring for employees health than that!

Original poster

cheshirekitty · 25/02/2008 22:42

They are only 2 very small fractures. Have had hubby moaning at me about not taking time off all evening.

Do feel a bit stupid to be honest, especially as I am a nurse. Know I should have taken time off.

OP posts:

HonoriaGlossop · 25/02/2008 23:00

cheshire, your hubby is right.

Take some time and heal. the NHS will not fall apart without you (it can do that all on it's own )

hotbot · 25/02/2008 23:03

cheshire, jan is more than 12 mths ago it will not go on your rolling 12 mths allowance.. besides which you have a #ed spine. what of you fell whilst assisting a patient, you could make it worse.,

edam · 25/02/2008 23:17

Very good point from hotbot - there are LOTS of nurses who end up with bad backs. You don't want to be one of them.

I was sent home from hospital after a nasty bike accident when I was a teenager. The doctor said I should be observed because of concussion but they had no beds. They also claimed I had only sprained my wrist when I knew bloody different as I couldn't put any weight on it. Got a phone call the next day to say 'ooh, you have actually fractured it, but it's a bit late to plaster it now'. Grrr. That wrist has been weak ever since.

worley · 26/02/2008 15:01

if the radiographer noticed the fracture they should have "red dotted" the image to bring it to the attention fo the a&e dr, however there are some older qualified rads who dont use the national red dot sytem and so a&e drs have a quick glance and think that if we didnt see anything there isnt anything there, this has been causing lots of trouble in my hospital, drs should be reading the image properly, not relying on us to do it for them!
if its a gp patient and we see something broken then we refer them to the a&e then for treatment instead of finding out a week later that they did brake their foot!!

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