Only
It was only 25 feet long, housed 3 computers and had lots of open space as well as a multitude of shelves and racks for books. We were told it was the 'charting room' - for use equally by the doctors...
View ArticleWhen Does the Nursing Start??
I had a busy shift in triage recently. Often there was a line-up and I'd be required to move on through ~ ABCD and focused assessment, two-three minutes per patient, no more ~ but every once in a while...
View ArticleYou'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my best....
What do you get when you place a group of Emergency personel (nurses, paramedics & ancillary staff) in close proximity to large quantities of alcohol and loud music with a beat after a really busy...
View ArticleRed is Blue
"Everything is changing. You're looking for the cure.And you feel like you're the loneliest girl in the world.Trouble in your head now, don't know what to do.Seems like up is down and red is blue"(Red...
View ArticleBlast from the Past
I saw the name on the chart I'd just been handed and my heart skipped a beat. It couldn't be - but it was... Suddenly I was transported back to my high school days and I blushed miserably.I'd tried so...
View ArticleLines
Coworkers ... are they your friends or are they friendly acquaintances? Where is the line? How far do you go for the people you work with?What about the colleague who is clearly depressed and stating...
View ArticleBogus Bolus
I made small talk with the paramedic hovering above my desk.As I registered the patient that him and his partner had just brought in, we discussed the usual workplace pleasantries. When we ran out of...
View ArticleStories
There is nothing more enjoyable or more educating than a good story. As a child I would read for hours, and short stories were among my favourite (as well as frequent re-reading of my collection of...
View ArticleI just want to be Noticed
It must be some funky moon phase because we've had more people presenting with psychiatric concerns than usual, and most of them have had more drama than the usual Tylenol overdose or suicidal...
View ArticleStolen Property
Today I woke up in stolen property. Let me explain. It all started about a month ago.The rain storm got the best of me. And by the time I arrived for work, my clothes were soaked through and stuck to...
View ArticleBroken Heart
Last time it was the newborn baby with the fatal diagnosis.This time it was the four month old with a 'non-accidental injuries' list longer than my arm.Memo to self – do not work evenings on...
View ArticleOpen to interpretation
Twice a year, I go through a routine process of bloodwork. Each time it happens, i anxiously await the test results. Please be normal, please be normal.Usually, I get my blood drawn at work. I can...
View ArticleThe Danger Zone
"'Cause it’s another overcast day, Like it’s been for weeks, And I would blame feeling down on the weather If I had no other reason to be." (In Perfect Time ~ Jill Barber)Ever wondered why so many...
View ArticleFull Moon.... Full House
I never believed the full moon theory of chaos until I started working in Emerg. But after one HECTIC shift last night, there isn't even a shadow of doubt.I had an errand to run early in the day which...
View ArticleRatios
How many people does it take to run an emerg department?Today, it felt like too many.It was a busy shift. Staff wise. Patient wise. Not so much. There were always patients to be seen. There was a short...
View ArticleHead case
I don't like to second guess people. But I do feel that I have a certain amount of responsibility to ensure that the orders I receive are written on the correct chart. Because lets face it, we all make...
View ArticleJunkie
While driving in the car the other day, my friend mentioned a horrible accident and the outcomes of the victims. As the other friends (who don't work in hospitals) discussed, my friend the RN and me,...
View ArticleLet Go
I just heard the helicopter in the distance. They were faster than expected. It's going to the hospital I just came from.About half an hour before the end of my shift, there was news of a transfer...
View ArticleThe Cat Came Back
The patient arrived from a rural St Elsewhere to see our social worker. He had disclosed to his friends during their weekend getaway that he had been having some vague thoughts of suicide. Thus his...
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