An experience we all have from time to time. One would have expected clever
people like this to learn from their experience, but it never seems to
translate into a "better" attitude.
Yesterday, as we had 33 in-patients "bedded" in our 10 cubicle (2 per
cubicle!) + 3 resus + 2 minor injuries "offices" Dept, which accidentally
lies on the route to the staff restaurant ad changing facilities, I got
security to seal off the through corridor. Only patient movements were
allowed. Announcement on the Public Address system thet the route was
closed"for operational reasons" certainly led to much speculation in the
hsopital as to what might be happening.
I went home at 8pm, after a 12.5 hour day, leaving 9 patients waiting for
beds. This morning, they are still there- but not lonely, as they have 12
more waiting with them.
I think I'll pull the same trick again today - at least people won't be able
to simply ignore it. But I doubt that they'll learn anything!
Patrick Plunkett
-----Original Message-----
From: John Chambers [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 06 February 2002 01:29
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: The entitled patient and the "others"
Last Friday night was very busy in our Department
At 9 pm the place was crazy and I was asked to help our young
orthopaedic registrar by giving some ketamine to a 7 year old child with
a rather nasty paronychia of a little toe. I was somewhat surprised to
find one of our senior orthopaedic surgeons sitting by the patient. The
patient was his son.
"It really is pretty awful out there John" said my colleague with some
sincerity.
"I know it is" said I noting and trying to cover the bloodstains on my
shirt
"Thank goodness we have connections and did not have to wait like the
others" said my colleague quite humbly
Everything went well and we discussed the rediscovery of ketamine etc
etc
I write this as we prepare a document for our management board to ask
for more staff and more space to treat our patients more efficiently. A
presentation for a group of people who all have "connections".
At the end of the presentation one of them will surely ask. "How can we
persuade more of the patients to go to their GP instead. Then you might
not need an increase in resources?". Then could follow a long discussion
about everything but the ED staffing situation.
I suppose that they will mean some of the "others". It never ceases to
amaze me how intelligent people can be judgemental about (other) people
who present to the Emergency Department, why they are there and what
there needs really are.
I had a fleeting impression that my orthopaedic colleague had suddenly
got the point on Friday evening. But I wouldn't bet on it.
Dr John Chambers
Clinical Leader
Emergency CPG
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