I couldn't agree more to the whole concept how rare a real STAT carotid truly
is and if I had any contact with the ordering physicians, other than being
the service that comes in on the weekends I would educate.  As an outside
service with no offical standing in the institution I am in a real quandry.
 Do I get as rude as I feel and lose the contract to another provider who
will gladly do a STAT penile if ordered, or do I calmly( ( ;-) sarcasmism)
attempt to tell the charge nurse that changes in mental status do not warrent
a carotid exam in the middle of the night, only to be told that the patient
came back from cardiac cath demented and was going to surgery in the morning
and the cardiac surgeon wanted the exam would I please get on with it and
shut up.

Having just taken my daughter to her first year of (small liberal arts)
college - I did the latter.
And still don't feel very good about it.

It is incumbent upon us all as professionals to educate whenever possible - I
just have to pick my classrooms.

Bart Bean