Apparently some hospitalists consult rheumatologists for swollen joints that aren't swollen, at least not swollen according to the inpatient rheumatology consult (CPT 99253, 99254, 99255). I can't remember the last time I consulted a rheumatologist in the hospital for swollen joints. Actually, I've never consulted a rheumatologist in the hospital for swollen joints.
Why? Because the answer is always
- It's not a rheumatological disease.
- And if it is, give 'em steroids and see what happens.
- It's never Lupus. Ever.
A rheumatologist's home is in his/her office. Get them in a hospital and you just confuse 'em. Oh yeah, I got asked to see a patient for fibromyalgia pain last week. I refused the consult as being "outside my scope of practice".
Phew. Skinned out of that one. Sounds like a job an inpatient rheumatology consult could tackle though. You know. Job Security.
Phew. Skinned out of that one. Sounds like a job an inpatient rheumatology consult could tackle though. You know. Job Security.
