DEAR ABBY: I am responding to the letters in your column about patients being referred to as "the boy in the wheelchair" or "the liver." Often physicians refer to symptoms and diagnoses so they won't have to disclose patients' names. (A breach of patient confidentiality can have serious legal and moral consequences.) In this way, doctors can discuss symptoms or treatment approaches with colleagues without disclosing confidential information.
I have worked for many years in medical records, and we often refer to patient files by the person's name. Some references that I have heard include: "Has anyone seen Mary Smith?" "Yes, I think I saw her lying on the doctor's desk."
"Who left Bob Jones on the copier?"
"I'm looking for May Fong." "Well, she isn't in my basket. Let me check my drawers."
"Can you bring Mike Williams to me? I have to put him in this envelope."
Of course, we're talking about the patient's file, but if someone were listening, I'm sure it wouldn't sound like that. -- A NURSE IN NORTH CAROLINA