Movies like this aggravate us doctors

The main character being given the wrong results may have made for an interesting foray into comedy, but what really aggravated me was the doctor. Did the MD really not even look at the name on the file, and just give the results to the wrong person??!! STUPID! What if there was a sudden change of rooms? What if the doctor was giving the test results to a woman, would the doctor tell the woman, "Hey, it seems your testosterone levels might be a little higher than normal for a woman, let's put you on HRT to get that estradiol up." Yes, mix ups do happen ALL THE TIME in (even the best) hospitals, but looking at, and confirming a patients name is the first thing we doctors are taught before doing clinical rotations. That is why, if you have ever been in a hospital before (getting a test, having surgery, giving birth, etc) EVERY SINGLE PERSON that has contact with you will ask you your name, have you tell them your name, and then confirm your name with the one on your ID bracelet. I know that this is annoying to the patients (it is also annoying to us doctors), but it could be the difference between life and death. Think of it being akin to washing your hands before and after examining each patient. As a patient, you wouldn't want a doctor to touch you, without washing their hands, after examining a person with oozing pustules. As doctors, this redundancy helps keep patients alive and on the correct meds, it also helps to keep our malpractice insurance low (although some specialties and some states ideas of the term "low" can be more than half of our yearly income). I am a neurosurgeon, and know why this is done, but during times that I have been a patient, it always annoyed the hell out of me having to give my vital info (name and date of birth) to everyone who walks into my room. This has to be done even if the person asking my info knows me as a colleague or a friend, even if they were in the room just an hour ago, Hell, even if they are family, they still must ask these two questions as a normal part of hospital policy. This is more than just a way to ensure the hospital and doctor(s) don't get sued, it is to ensure that the proper procedures and meds go to the correct person. The lawsuit part, I have found, is a problem that I have only encountered (to such an exaggerated extent) in America. Don't get me wrong, I am a born and raised, and very proud, New Yorker. Being born in America, specifically New York City, goes far back in my family, so don't think I am a first generation with a hatred, or an agenda, regarding this fabulous nation. My great-great-great-grandparents on all sides of my family, with the exception of one person, were all born in the US. That one person was my great-great-grandmother on my fathers side. She was born in Italy before coming to America at the age of ONE YEAR OLD (I knew that I had a long lineage of family members being born in the US, but I didn't know how far, until I had to do a genealogical study for a Physiology class in university). I love my country, but while working in England, I didn't encounter people so ready to sue for something as small as, for example, getting a subcutaneous hematoma (blood clot/bruise) after the removal of an IV. A friend of mine (along with five other doctors, two radiologists and 9 nurses) was actually given a subpoena from a patients lawyer for such a small, common, non-life-threatening thing. This was thrown out of court, but sadly, some innocuous things, that are the result of careful and proper healthcare, are exploited by some people trying to make a lot of money at the expense of those trying to save, or improve patients lives. Granted some lawsuits are not frivolous, and those patients deserve compensation, and the medical professionals involved deserve to be punished, either financially, by suspension, and in some cases loss of their medical license. Sadly, mistakes like the one seen in this movie (and so many other movies and TV shows that love to show doctors as incompetent - although some are) DO HAPPEN. Asking those 2 questions (name & date of birth) and checking the answer against the records in your hand against the patients ID band can help prevent these mistakes on the doctors side of things.
Patients must also be vigilant in their own healthcare. Make sure that you answer questions truthfully, even if the answer is embarrassing or has to do with something illegal. We are here to save your life, not judge you. Many people who are in this country illegally will forego medical care until it is too late, or nearly too late. Doctors treat the illness/injury first, we don't contact I.C.E. unless we have confirmed gang or drug trafficking info. You can be registered as a John/Jane Doe w/o insurance (ask to be billed for the service. If you have insurance, you can submit the bill later), and still be treated.
Some people don't get proper treatment for easily remedied or treatable conditions, because they don't speak English. This is very stupid, no one is going to get deported because you don't speak English (almost every hospital will have someone to act as a translator if you don't have one with you). Remember that many people who are legally in America don't speak English, nor are they required to. The US does NOT have a National Language. For some reason most people are under the assumption that we have one, and that the language is English. They are mistaken.
Also, many people are not aware that only in extreme cases do we report illegal activity to the police (an exception being gun shot wounds, since they all have to be registered with the police). Even drug use, and drug possession, can be made into a NON ARRESTABLE offense, if you ask the medical professional for help with your addiction. You might have to stay on a 48-72 hour observational hold, but that might be the best start toward recovery from that addiction, since you will be given meds to help with withdrawal symptoms, as well as private and/or group therapy to help learn ways to stay sober.