Undiagnosed Staph Infection

[legalady]

I have a client who has been telling me for over a year that while she was incarcerated on a minor offense she contracted a staph infection.  Due to her having some mental impairments, none of the physicians in our small town will test her.  She has described large pockets of infectious material all over her body and even cut one open to see if anything came out.  One MD told her the pockets were fat globules.  Having been a nurse for over 22 years, I find that to be a substandard answer, however, NOT being an MD, I can't test her for staph.  Due to having no money or insurance, no MD will test her, they will only treat her for "life-threatening" conditions such as a heart attack.  My thought is that if she's had a staph infection for over a year without treatment, that IS life-threatening.

Any thoughts on what I should tell her to look for or explain to an MD to have her blood tested?

Any help is appreciated.

[PlateletGal]

My only thoughts on what to tell her physician is tell him that he better be safe than sorry. If it doesn't test her and she does have staph and spreads it to others, he can expect several lawsuits.

[PlateletGal]

What is wrong with these physicians ? It is their obligation to test her and the test is a very simple one. If they don't test her, then she can pass her infection on to others ! What does it hurt to test her and send the tissue or blood to the microbiology lab ?

The Greek derivation of the word physician means "to teach to heal". Unfortunately there are some physicians who have huge egos and don't know what that means anymore.

[chrisneedshelp]

REPORT THE DR's you are a part of a almost hopeless medical community where it is sadly all to common that the DR's only care about money and what insurance you have. It make me sick that such a great country has lost its way (thanks to law suites, lawyers, and insurance companies.) You have a chance to make a difference (if you ignore the problem then you are just part of the problem) This lady needs help, and you  can make sure she gets it. There was a time when DR's cared (I mean hell they would go to your house and help you back in the old times.) Now they want to schedule your appointment around there golf game. Look I might be a bit bitter about the medical community for there lack of help in my own situation so maybe I am a little impartial, but I know there are huge numbers of people in my situation that have the same frustration as I. I also know that DR's have a very high over head and operating costs (thanks to lawyers, and lawsuites again), but if this is your choice, and you choose to help people. Then dammit HELP THEM ALL OF THEM regardless of how much money they have or what insurance they have. We are all brothers and sisters why don't we all start acting like it, and make this nation great again (only in dreams). sad.