The Hourly PR: Sweet Medicine – Sour Coating

A fresh MBBS passed doctor newly joined the Dept. of Surgery as Junior Resident in a medical college in Andhra Pradesh. On the very first day he was assigned to night duty. That day a patient with growth in the rectum had been operated. 

            (Rectum and anus: The lower most part of the intestine through which a person passes feaces or stools)

In the patient’s post operation orders, among other things it was written; PR hourly. Since he had growth in the rectum, the doctor naturally thought that PR means per rectum examination. 

 (In per rectum examination the doctor inserts a gloved finger in the anus opening and feels for any abnormality in the anus, anal canal and lower part of rectum.)

 So the whole night, he sincerely looked after the patient and did an hourly per rectum examination. 

            Next day the professor came to take the morning clinical round. When he went near the patient he enquired, ‘How are you?’ ‘Is adequate care being taken care of you?’

The patient replied, ‘Everything is very well but I have been disturbed the whole night by the frequent per rectum examinations’.

The professor was angry and demanded an immediate explanation from the doctor on duty. On enquiring he was amazed that the Resident doctor had thought that PR means Per Rectum examination, while all it meant was to record Pulse Rate hourly.

Avoid abbreviations or jargons. If you do use them, do not assume that the opposite person will understand your instruction. Be especially careful when dealing with person not in the trade or newcomers.

When you are faced with an unfamiliar abbreviation or jargon, confirm the meaning intended. Do not try to guess the meaning. You may be right majority of time, but even a single mistake could cost you or others dearly.

(Based on true incident)

— NKD

© Author. All rights reserved. 

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purpose. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use of the information herein is at you one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Practice should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost. 

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