“Andrea,” I said, “I need you to listen carefully. Twenty-two-year-old male. Five-hour history of progressive right lower quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting, fever. No diagnostic workup completed. Symptoms consistent with acute appendicitis, likely ruptured or on the verge. The attending on duty is Leonard Vance, and he has been treating the patient as a drug seeker.”
There was a beat of silence, then a muttered curse. “I’m twenty minutes away,” she said. “I’m calling in Raymond Kowalski from general surgery right now to assess him. And Garrison…” She exhaled. “I’m sorry. Vance has been a problem for a while. We haven’t had enough documented incidents to force action. This may be the case that finally does it.”