The Bouncing Buns Gentleman's Club

Chapter 2

It was nearing four by the time Beverly had the opportunity to fully review the hospital discharge summary sent by Parkside. The girl had definitely taken a "stroll in the park" as they were fond of calling it at the clinic. The 23 hour unit was mainly for relieving the main psychiatric hospital and emergency rooms about the area from the trouble and expense of having to deal with patients like her.

People were usually sent there after threats of suicide, most often to get attention, but occasionally the intent would be real. It allowed them to be in a secure environment during the evaluation of their safety without being admitted to the main hospital. If they were found after 23 hours to still be a danger to themselves or someone else, there was always that option. Those that did go to the main hospital usually did so voluntarily, but there were others that went by court order after being found by the judge to continue to be a threat and were either unable or unwilling to cooperate. Others would go because they were considered too psychotic to take care of themselves on the street and would continue to decompensate without forced treatment.

Since her patient had not been admitted, Beverly knew she wouldn't have the benefit of a urine drug screen or other lab work to evaluate. Although Parkside did labs and drug screens during 23 hour stays, they were rarely available by the time of the follow-up outpatient evaluation. This would leave the issue of substance use an unknown, but usually safe assumption.

It would've been nice to have the drug screen, Beverly thought. It might have helped me keep the girl honest.

The discharge summary mentioned mood disorder not otherwise specified, a diagnosis regularly seen coming out in Parkside paperwork. It was an unhelpful diagnosis accounting for many possible problems, all of which couldn't be considered in depth and ruled in or out during a 23 hour or less stay mainly designed to ensure safety. These and other issues continually frustrated Beverly and the others in the clinic, but they would all admit they were glad to be doing the seeing, and not to be those being seen.

Beverly had almost finished her review when Sue came in. As expected, she had learned very little from it except that the patient had been considered not to be a danger to herself or others at the time of release, and that medication had not been prescribed. What was unclear was why.

Had it been offered and refused? she wondered.

There was also no indication of any interaction with a social worker, which was unusual, and other than the addition of Parent-Child Relational Problem, the discharge diagnoses remained the same as the initial impressions. This was not uncommon, as there was no real opportunity to fully clarify them in such a short time. What struck Beverly was the observation that the patient, a young girl, was very comfortable around adult men.

I wonder what that's all about, she thought as Sue arrived wearing her usual animated smile. Sue was a big woman and her outfit made her look larger than she needed to.

When will heavy people learn they can't wear horizontal stripes or plaids? Beverly wondered.

Sue, although large, could look much better with a little work. Her long and straight brunette hair would look more flattering with a shorter cut and some curl. She could start working out at the gym next door. On the positive side were her almost iridescent blue eyes and that outgoing personality.

"Doctor Anderson, are you ready for your four pm?"

"Yes, Sue. Who's with her?"

"Mom, and who I think is mom's significant other," Sue said as she rolled her eyes. "We don't have any info on him other than he looks like one of those 'Saturday night cowboy' types," she added as she left to bring them in. After a few minutes, Sue returned with a woman, a teen-aged girl and the cowboy in tow.