Dr. Hamilton, Dr. J. Hamilton...

Got a call about my grandmother.

Let's see, abdominal cramps, tenderness in the lower right quadrant, abdominal distention, nausea, and an elevated WBC count.

Diagnosis: Pneumonia.

WTF?

Holy misdiagnosis, Batman!

Talked to the doctor today. Seems that the hospital's original diagnosis, pneumonia, was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay off. About as far off as you can get while still remaining inside the same patient.

Let's recap the symptoms: Abdominal cramps, nausea, distention, tenderness in the lower right quadrant, and elevated WBC count.

Dr. Packrat diagnosed appendicitis. Hospital diagnosed pneumonia.

Turns out I was closest. Her Primary Care Physician indicated it was either colitis or diverticulitis. THAT fits the symptoms a heck of a lot better than pneumonia.

This does not say much for the quality of care at the local hospital...

S-M-R-T!