This morning I went to my Orthopedic consult as referred by PCP, and I am now perplexed to say the least... First, I was never given a chance to define my pain, give my history, or speak at all really; he was very abrupt (not rude per se, but of the attitude that I had nothing valuable to contribute and thus wasn't interested in giving me an opportunity to speak). Secondly, he interpreted my recent T-spine/L-spine X-ray as abnormal, citing diminished/absent normal physiologic lordosis/kyphosis (curvature) of the lumbar and lower thoracic spine respectively (AKA abnormal spinal straightening) which two other MD's have interpreted as normal 2 view studies of T/L spine. I was dismissed with orders to "look for charity to receive funding for an MRI of the L-spine".
What I am absolutely stumped on is the following. When I was leaving, he gave me a script for diclofenac (Voltaren 75mg Bid). When I got back home and put my receipt, previous imaging records, etc away and put the script on my desk, I realized there was a second, blank script sheet. Now if it was just a blank script I could maybe make the leap that two sheets were unintentionally torn off the pad and it was just a mistake. Problem is, the blank script sheet is SIGNED. It is a completely blank script with preprinted DEA# and state control # and everything, with a VALID, HAND SIGNED SIGNATURE and nothing else handwritten. He only mentioned one medication before leaving the exam room, so it can't be that he forgot to fill out a second med he intended to prescribe. What on EARTH would result in an MD handing someone a "blank check" as it were - an otherwise blank signed and valid script sheet?!?!
As a side note, when I returned home I also had my imaging reports as they were read by radiology faxed to the PM doc I saw in 2007, and am trying to get Orthopedic to fax the reports of the same imaging as he read it this morning (with different interpretation)
Did his secretary write out the first prescription? I wonder if he is pre-signing, just to save time.
I wasn't in visual contact with whoever wrote it when it was written, so I can't rule that out. Technically pre-signing script pads is a violation of DEA license policy though if I am not mistaken, similar to post dating C-II prescriptions so the patient can have two or three physical scripts dated 30 days apart to avoid having to visit monthly...
I feel like I have a like grenade now - just the knowledge of how I could be implicated if found with it...
You shouldn't be at all concerned!! Call the office, tell them what happened and tell them you will be ripping up the additional prescription. The office should be worried, not you!
Some docs pre-sign scripts, which is idiotic. Be smart, call the doc back, let them know what happened and take the blank script back to the office. Eventually they'll figure out what happened and they'll figure out which patient got the blank script.
You don't want to give them any reason to think your not trustworthy.
I ditto what Katlin said....I'd give the exact same advice.
This doctor is not being safe, and yes, I've also heard that pre-signing scrip sheets is illegal. I find it astonishing that any doctor would still be doing this with the way the FDA/DEA is coming down on everyone these days.
The only thing I would add is that I would make sure to get the person's name (FULL first & last name) that you give the blank, signed scrip to & write it down, along with the date you turned it in & keep it in your records. This way you are covered on all sides.
What a careless mistake by that doctor!
Last edited by ozzybug; 04-27-2012 at 08:17 AM.
Reason: Misspelled Kats name, sorry!!
-Given blank script? Confused... 
