New blogsite folks! Yes, I have been converted to the world of Wordpress.com.
The new site is called Paradise By The Blue Flashing Light (yes, small MeatLoaf tribute there)
and the link to reach it is:
www.bluelightsandtwostripes.wordpress.com
The banter and stories shall continue as before - hope you like the new home as much as I do =]
Keep on reading, cos I'll be blogging y'all soon!
thanks
Monday 7 December 2009
Monday 23 November 2009
Flood
I think the flooding in Cumbria is pretty unmissable.
You can't not hear about it; you can't avoid the fact that it's happened. It's everywhere, on the news, radio, in the papers.
So imagine being one of the people affected by the disaster. Imagine having all your possessions destroyed by torrents of water, lethally rapid, cold and dirty.
Imagine being the person trapped by rising waves, seeing devastation and destruction and wondering if you are going to get out of the mess alive.
Then imagine being the person called to help. The samaratin, the rescue worker, the emergency responder, fireman, police officer, ambulance personel, RNLI volunteer and first aider.
I can't account for the sights my colleagues witnessed while there over the weekend; I wasn't there to experience the damage first hand.
But what I can be sure of - from reports back and from simply knowing my team so well - is that they have worked their soggy socks off to help the people affected by the watery crisis.
With the graciousness of local stores like Asda and Tesco supplying them with much needed goods, the swift water rescue teams worked day and night delivering the supplies to rest centres, and those cut off from any source of necessities.
They also participated in searches, assisting the fellow emergency services in scanning the area for anyone who may be lost, injured and needing help.
The volunteers crewing the rest centres offered a haven of welcome, safety and warmth, with food and drink, clean clothes, and a place to bed down for the duration.
They also gave emotional support, reassurance and advice, and were generally a shoulder that anyone could lean on.
It was a long weekend, with many difficulties and hardships facing all involved. The waters were threatening, but somehow the teams managed to maintain their morale and worked around the clock to help those in need.
I am so proud of the teams I know and love who responded to the cries for help.
That is true humanitarianism, right there. A prime example of the kindness of others, and the sheer determination that arises in the hearts of those who care when a fellow person is in trouble.
I take my hat off to them - each and every one of them. Well done to all who helped, from Red Cross to the other emergency services and responders.
I don't know where we'd be without people like you.
You can't not hear about it; you can't avoid the fact that it's happened. It's everywhere, on the news, radio, in the papers.
So imagine being one of the people affected by the disaster. Imagine having all your possessions destroyed by torrents of water, lethally rapid, cold and dirty.
Imagine being the person trapped by rising waves, seeing devastation and destruction and wondering if you are going to get out of the mess alive.
Then imagine being the person called to help. The samaratin, the rescue worker, the emergency responder, fireman, police officer, ambulance personel, RNLI volunteer and first aider.
I can't account for the sights my colleagues witnessed while there over the weekend; I wasn't there to experience the damage first hand.
But what I can be sure of - from reports back and from simply knowing my team so well - is that they have worked their soggy socks off to help the people affected by the watery crisis.
With the graciousness of local stores like Asda and Tesco supplying them with much needed goods, the swift water rescue teams worked day and night delivering the supplies to rest centres, and those cut off from any source of necessities.
They also participated in searches, assisting the fellow emergency services in scanning the area for anyone who may be lost, injured and needing help.
The volunteers crewing the rest centres offered a haven of welcome, safety and warmth, with food and drink, clean clothes, and a place to bed down for the duration.
They also gave emotional support, reassurance and advice, and were generally a shoulder that anyone could lean on.
It was a long weekend, with many difficulties and hardships facing all involved. The waters were threatening, but somehow the teams managed to maintain their morale and worked around the clock to help those in need.
I am so proud of the teams I know and love who responded to the cries for help.
That is true humanitarianism, right there. A prime example of the kindness of others, and the sheer determination that arises in the hearts of those who care when a fellow person is in trouble.
I take my hat off to them - each and every one of them. Well done to all who helped, from Red Cross to the other emergency services and responders.
I don't know where we'd be without people like you.
Diagnosis: Drunk.
Utter fools.
Those club-loving, scantily clad, drink-infested morons who collapse on the steps of night clubs, ko'd by the unimaginable volume of alcohol in their bodies.
And they are surprised to find themselves in A&E once they wake up several hours later, with a needle sticking out of their arm and a bag of saline attached to it, nourishing their poor intoxicated bodies with much needed fluid of the non-poisonous variety.
Then these still drunk buffoons, baffled by their sudden predicament, become angry because
a) they can't remember collapsing unconscious in the street and the thoughtful passer-by who realised that they needed medical treatment, b) we killed their alcoholic high by replacing the stuff with water, and c) we saved their wet-skinned asses by doing so.
Most of them are also angry because they're butt naked. This is because we can't leave them lying in their wet, piss-soaked, vomit-caked clothes while they sleep off the drink, for hygiene and for their own comfort.
From what I've seen, paramedics, nurses and doctors in emergency care only do their very best for every patient, even the drunk ones.
It's just sad (and slightly sickening) that the thanks they quite often get is a mouthful of abuse and occasionally the odd attempted thrash across the face.
Next time you go out on a booze up, try and keep in the back of your mind the place you could end up in if you drink a little too much for your body to cope with.
No one wants to wake up in A&E with a hangover - wouldn't folk much rather have their own bed to cover in spew?
There are some entertaining aspects behind it for the health worker though - drunken verbal abuse can be quite entertaining if it's slurred and total babble.
It also helps us work out how 'with it' you are - I mean, if you're saying "fuck off" in the right context, then at least we know you're orientated to your situation.
Don't be diagnosed as a piss-head.
Those club-loving, scantily clad, drink-infested morons who collapse on the steps of night clubs, ko'd by the unimaginable volume of alcohol in their bodies.
And they are surprised to find themselves in A&E once they wake up several hours later, with a needle sticking out of their arm and a bag of saline attached to it, nourishing their poor intoxicated bodies with much needed fluid of the non-poisonous variety.
Then these still drunk buffoons, baffled by their sudden predicament, become angry because
a) they can't remember collapsing unconscious in the street and the thoughtful passer-by who realised that they needed medical treatment, b) we killed their alcoholic high by replacing the stuff with water, and c) we saved their wet-skinned asses by doing so.
Most of them are also angry because they're butt naked. This is because we can't leave them lying in their wet, piss-soaked, vomit-caked clothes while they sleep off the drink, for hygiene and for their own comfort.
From what I've seen, paramedics, nurses and doctors in emergency care only do their very best for every patient, even the drunk ones.
It's just sad (and slightly sickening) that the thanks they quite often get is a mouthful of abuse and occasionally the odd attempted thrash across the face.
Next time you go out on a booze up, try and keep in the back of your mind the place you could end up in if you drink a little too much for your body to cope with.
No one wants to wake up in A&E with a hangover - wouldn't folk much rather have their own bed to cover in spew?
There are some entertaining aspects behind it for the health worker though - drunken verbal abuse can be quite entertaining if it's slurred and total babble.
It also helps us work out how 'with it' you are - I mean, if you're saying "fuck off" in the right context, then at least we know you're orientated to your situation.
Don't be diagnosed as a piss-head.
A pause for thought...
In my boredom I decided to surf the net for quotes.
How desperate for entertainment can you get?
But I have stumbled across a few words of inspiration which I think are highly relevant to many people I know, care for, and work alongside...
There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.
- John Andrew Holmes Jr., American writer and minister
The broadest, and maybe the most meaningful definition of volunteering: Doing more than you have to because you want to, in a cause you consider good.
- Ivan Scheier
and my fave:
Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless.
- Sherry Anderson
It's too true for many people =]
How desperate for entertainment can you get?
But I have stumbled across a few words of inspiration which I think are highly relevant to many people I know, care for, and work alongside...
There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.
- John Andrew Holmes Jr., American writer and minister
The broadest, and maybe the most meaningful definition of volunteering: Doing more than you have to because you want to, in a cause you consider good.
- Ivan Scheier
and my fave:
Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless.
- Sherry Anderson
It's too true for many people =]
Sunday 25 October 2009
What do they expect?
Something caught my eye in the newspaper the other day.
An article pinpointing the consistently high number of student nurses dropping out of their courses mid way through the training.
All because they begin with the impression that ward life is exactly like Holby City or Casualty; sexy, glamorous, non-stop action, blood, guts, and hot doctors.
What do they expect exactly?
TV shows like Holby or Casualty are incredibly entertaining (and as Casualty is one of my fave programmes, I wouldn't change much about it) but they are quite often unrealistic.
Indeed, there are elements which mimic that of real life; many procedures are close to accurate, and I even found one episode of Casualty which came into play the next day in A&E.
So yes, such shows have to hold some realism to be believable, but surely people realise there is a boundary to them?
After all, hot, young doctors are rarely seen on the wards. At least where I've been anyway.
In case anyone is wondering, or hasn't realised this so far, nursing is very hard work.
People may complain about "lazy" nurses hanging around their stations chatting or drinking coffee, but seriously, this is normally during visiting hours when staff give patients and relatives some time together.
For the other 8 hours of the day, they dish out meds and wash patients, feed patients, wash and change beds, assist doctors if need be, transfer patients to other wards, change dressings, fill in bountiful piles of paperwork, and if the ward is full, will grab cups of tea when and where they can.
Being a student, I understand that behind what media and TV depicts is very different, and a slight shock to the system - especially when your expectations are fuelled by fictitious programmes on the telly.
Thanks to my previous care assistant job, I had some cynicism built up already.
So far in A&E, I have found that there are few cute junior doctors or nurses, there is little time for emotional bonds with patients where you share a moment of realisation for your current predicaments, and (in DGH at least) the paramedics don't come bashing in through swing doors announcing patient details at the tops of their voices.
I'll agree with the statement given by some knowledgeable nursing wifie in the paper; students must be given realistic views of nursing to ensure they will continue. People can't enter into the student nurse world with expectations of love, glamour and continual excitement. And that there will be attractive, sexy doctors to swoon over.
Here's an example; I catheterised two patients today, both of which were successful but, let's face it, it's not a very fine job to do.
You don't see anything like that on the telly now, do you?
An article pinpointing the consistently high number of student nurses dropping out of their courses mid way through the training.
All because they begin with the impression that ward life is exactly like Holby City or Casualty; sexy, glamorous, non-stop action, blood, guts, and hot doctors.
What do they expect exactly?
TV shows like Holby or Casualty are incredibly entertaining (and as Casualty is one of my fave programmes, I wouldn't change much about it) but they are quite often unrealistic.
Indeed, there are elements which mimic that of real life; many procedures are close to accurate, and I even found one episode of Casualty which came into play the next day in A&E.
So yes, such shows have to hold some realism to be believable, but surely people realise there is a boundary to them?
After all, hot, young doctors are rarely seen on the wards. At least where I've been anyway.
In case anyone is wondering, or hasn't realised this so far, nursing is very hard work.
People may complain about "lazy" nurses hanging around their stations chatting or drinking coffee, but seriously, this is normally during visiting hours when staff give patients and relatives some time together.
For the other 8 hours of the day, they dish out meds and wash patients, feed patients, wash and change beds, assist doctors if need be, transfer patients to other wards, change dressings, fill in bountiful piles of paperwork, and if the ward is full, will grab cups of tea when and where they can.
Being a student, I understand that behind what media and TV depicts is very different, and a slight shock to the system - especially when your expectations are fuelled by fictitious programmes on the telly.
Thanks to my previous care assistant job, I had some cynicism built up already.
So far in A&E, I have found that there are few cute junior doctors or nurses, there is little time for emotional bonds with patients where you share a moment of realisation for your current predicaments, and (in DGH at least) the paramedics don't come bashing in through swing doors announcing patient details at the tops of their voices.
I'll agree with the statement given by some knowledgeable nursing wifie in the paper; students must be given realistic views of nursing to ensure they will continue. People can't enter into the student nurse world with expectations of love, glamour and continual excitement. And that there will be attractive, sexy doctors to swoon over.
Here's an example; I catheterised two patients today, both of which were successful but, let's face it, it's not a very fine job to do.
You don't see anything like that on the telly now, do you?
Monday 19 October 2009
In A&E today...
I have good shifts this week. I've already worked one set of 12 hours today, and now I'm off until the weekend. Bonus.
All day in A&E on a Saturday and Sunday... imagine the thrills and spills...
Anyway, today was a good day. I think I'm beginning to find my feet within the department now.
At least I can actually find things for people now, although saying that, a few things went missing today which I had to undertake epic journeys to find.
When relatives ask for a cup of tea, they don't expect it to take 20 minutes, right? Well, as the ward had run out of cups, I had to go in search for more. After ransacking the kitchen, I realised I would have to look further afield for the bloomin' things.
Onwards to the canteen!
A rather miffed cafeteria lady met me at the canteen doors, and after explaining my predicament to her, she somewhat reluctantly led me into the main kitchen.
Tea cups galore!
But she had to ask the head cafeteria wifie if I could nick them first, whilst giving me a lecture on why we shouldn't be taking the kitchen items from them; it wasn't their job to hand them out, blah blah blah.
When in truth they'll only end up back on the wards anyway.
However, being a student (with some charm) has its advantages. Playing the "pity me, I'm a poor student sent on an errand I don't want to be on" role usually works in getting what the ward wants and needs.
I suspect that's why the nurses will send the students on errands; so other wards feel sorry for them and give them what they ask for.
However, other staff members just shoot the messenger. That's when the "I'm a student and I'm assertive" role kicks in. Well, generally. Either that or you just take the verbal beating and give them the finger as the ward doors swing shut behind you.
Not that I've ever done that, you understand.
Our second missing item - which was thankfully recovered - was one of the controlled drugs' (CDs) monitoring books. It actually cropped up in the most obvious place; on the receptionist's desk, yet everyone was too busy looking high and low to actually notice it.
So apart from this, I can now find the items which the nurses and doctors ask for.
Patient wise, we had a few varieties during the day, including two swine flu cases (one of which ended up being tonsillitis... how hard can it be to confuse the two?)
We also had a fractured clavicle (collar bone in non-medically-boney terms) and chest pains, an OD on paracetamol, a phantom pregnancy (yep, they do happen) and a little old lady who had fallen and hit her head, causing a lovely big bruise over her eye and a very bloody wound. The cut itself was relatively small and not exceptionally deep, yet the blood had poured from it; you could tell by her red, matted hair (I always find it strange that head/face wounds will bleed as though the injury is serious, when it can actually be a tiny cut.) Yet she was in good spirits and very sweet.
I always love how elderly people who really need help are immensely apologetic to you, every time you walk into the cubicle, even when you've just nipped in to get something out of the cupboards.
"I'm sorry to be such an inconvenience," or "I'm sorry for being such a nuisance," or "I'm sorry for taking up your time," and so forth.
When, on the other end of the scale, you have the time wasters sitting outside the door.
I triaged my first patient today, and for being so simple it was actually quite difficult.
His GP had referred him to A&E with fevers and sweats. Someone tell me which one it is, 'cos I honestly think it's neither an accident, nor an emergency.
And neither did the rest of the A&E staff.
With no other problems other than this presenting complaint, there really wasn't that much to ask or talk about. Hence why it was awkward.
Obs were all fine (no high temperature there then) and the patient appeared to be in good form.
Could the diagnosis be a case of the lazy GP?
The patient denied any recent colds/coughs/infections, as had the GP in the referral letter.
So what was the problem?
Well, we dipped his urine, and we found the answer. The guy had a urinary tract infection (UTI).
The doctor prescribed him antibiotics, and away he went - another happy customer.
Only he needn't have come to A&E and taken up our time.
He needn't have waited the hour he did to be triaged and treated.
The GP could have referred him to a practice nurse in the surgery, who would have tested the urine there and then. Hell, the GP could have even done it themselves. They could then have prescribed him the medication.
Standard procedure. Quick and easy. No fussing about with A&E waiting times.
It was inconvenient for the patient, and for the emergency staff.
Still, at least we got the guy sorted.
Aside from the emergency department, I also made a return trip to Ward 9 to visit my last mentor.
I don't think I'll get the chance to bond with another mentor like I did with her. Our constant excursions to every ward in the hospital brought us closer together, I think. Two nurses for the price of one, so to speak.
Now she's more of a friend, someone who I can still go to for advice and help in the nursing realms, and for a reference when it comes to getting a job - an added perk.
It was great to see her again, and I think she was pleased to see me too! I know now that if I ever have any issues whilst at DGH, I can always talk to her about them.
I'm sure we'll catch up again at some point, maybe before I head back to uni. But it would be nice to be able to keep in touch from time to time.
So overall? An interesting and varied day.
I just can't wait until my next few shifts, when I can see what the weekend will have in store for me.
All day in A&E on a Saturday and Sunday... imagine the thrills and spills...
Anyway, today was a good day. I think I'm beginning to find my feet within the department now.
At least I can actually find things for people now, although saying that, a few things went missing today which I had to undertake epic journeys to find.
When relatives ask for a cup of tea, they don't expect it to take 20 minutes, right? Well, as the ward had run out of cups, I had to go in search for more. After ransacking the kitchen, I realised I would have to look further afield for the bloomin' things.
Onwards to the canteen!
A rather miffed cafeteria lady met me at the canteen doors, and after explaining my predicament to her, she somewhat reluctantly led me into the main kitchen.
Tea cups galore!
But she had to ask the head cafeteria wifie if I could nick them first, whilst giving me a lecture on why we shouldn't be taking the kitchen items from them; it wasn't their job to hand them out, blah blah blah.
When in truth they'll only end up back on the wards anyway.
However, being a student (with some charm) has its advantages. Playing the "pity me, I'm a poor student sent on an errand I don't want to be on" role usually works in getting what the ward wants and needs.
I suspect that's why the nurses will send the students on errands; so other wards feel sorry for them and give them what they ask for.
However, other staff members just shoot the messenger. That's when the "I'm a student and I'm assertive" role kicks in. Well, generally. Either that or you just take the verbal beating and give them the finger as the ward doors swing shut behind you.
Not that I've ever done that, you understand.
Our second missing item - which was thankfully recovered - was one of the controlled drugs' (CDs) monitoring books. It actually cropped up in the most obvious place; on the receptionist's desk, yet everyone was too busy looking high and low to actually notice it.
So apart from this, I can now find the items which the nurses and doctors ask for.
Patient wise, we had a few varieties during the day, including two swine flu cases (one of which ended up being tonsillitis... how hard can it be to confuse the two?)
We also had a fractured clavicle (collar bone in non-medically-boney terms) and chest pains, an OD on paracetamol, a phantom pregnancy (yep, they do happen) and a little old lady who had fallen and hit her head, causing a lovely big bruise over her eye and a very bloody wound. The cut itself was relatively small and not exceptionally deep, yet the blood had poured from it; you could tell by her red, matted hair (I always find it strange that head/face wounds will bleed as though the injury is serious, when it can actually be a tiny cut.) Yet she was in good spirits and very sweet.
I always love how elderly people who really need help are immensely apologetic to you, every time you walk into the cubicle, even when you've just nipped in to get something out of the cupboards.
"I'm sorry to be such an inconvenience," or "I'm sorry for being such a nuisance," or "I'm sorry for taking up your time," and so forth.
When, on the other end of the scale, you have the time wasters sitting outside the door.
I triaged my first patient today, and for being so simple it was actually quite difficult.
His GP had referred him to A&E with fevers and sweats. Someone tell me which one it is, 'cos I honestly think it's neither an accident, nor an emergency.
And neither did the rest of the A&E staff.
With no other problems other than this presenting complaint, there really wasn't that much to ask or talk about. Hence why it was awkward.
Obs were all fine (no high temperature there then) and the patient appeared to be in good form.
Could the diagnosis be a case of the lazy GP?
The patient denied any recent colds/coughs/infections, as had the GP in the referral letter.
So what was the problem?
Well, we dipped his urine, and we found the answer. The guy had a urinary tract infection (UTI).
The doctor prescribed him antibiotics, and away he went - another happy customer.
Only he needn't have come to A&E and taken up our time.
He needn't have waited the hour he did to be triaged and treated.
The GP could have referred him to a practice nurse in the surgery, who would have tested the urine there and then. Hell, the GP could have even done it themselves. They could then have prescribed him the medication.
Standard procedure. Quick and easy. No fussing about with A&E waiting times.
It was inconvenient for the patient, and for the emergency staff.
Still, at least we got the guy sorted.
Aside from the emergency department, I also made a return trip to Ward 9 to visit my last mentor.
I don't think I'll get the chance to bond with another mentor like I did with her. Our constant excursions to every ward in the hospital brought us closer together, I think. Two nurses for the price of one, so to speak.
Now she's more of a friend, someone who I can still go to for advice and help in the nursing realms, and for a reference when it comes to getting a job - an added perk.
It was great to see her again, and I think she was pleased to see me too! I know now that if I ever have any issues whilst at DGH, I can always talk to her about them.
I'm sure we'll catch up again at some point, maybe before I head back to uni. But it would be nice to be able to keep in touch from time to time.
So overall? An interesting and varied day.
I just can't wait until my next few shifts, when I can see what the weekend will have in store for me.
Wednesday 14 October 2009
Like Casualty off the telly...
Week 1 in A&E, and things have been going smoothly for the student nurses...
Yes, I have finished my first week's worth of shifts for placement - 3 consecutive stints in Dr Gray's A&E department.
Dr G's; it's like I can't get enough. I've even been back on ward 7 twice, just to say hello and to transfer a patient. I'll never get away now. I guess it's good to know I'm still remembered. Whether those memories are of a fond nature, well, that's yet to be said...
But A&E - that's right where I want to be!
In the midst of the quiet corridors, empty cubicles, abandoned resus rooms...
Not quite right, is it?
Yet that's what my three days have been like (for the mornings at least) until things pick up slightly towards the evening time. The time when, having already been on for almost 10 hours, you can't quite be bothered to deal with drunken patients, screeching kids, and what ever other trivial condition walks through the doors.
Saying that, A&E has not been entirely uneventful. In my opinion it's still better than a ward, because of the great variety that comes with the job.
In the past 3 shifts I have learnt quite a lot, and any confidence with some procedures or equipment is partly thanks to the RC experience. Already I have had to put someone in an arm sling and elevation sling, and help log roll someone off a spinal board and onto the bed. Surprisingly, you don't learn these basics in Uni.
Anyway, this is what I've witnessed/been involved in so far (not in any precise order of events as my memory isn't that good - patient confidentiality taken into account):
Now one of the nurses has organised a day out for me and my friend with the ambulance crews, to observe the emergency work from a paramedic's point of view.
Obviously I am ecstatic over this, and can't wait until November when I get to join a crew for the day. I might try and pursuade my mentor for another day out. Thankfully she's very cool, hip and trendy, and if I ask nice enough she might just sort that out for me.
So yes, from the list it doesn't sound like a quiet stint, but it's very slow for Elgin A&E and even the nurses agree with me on that point!
Of course I have another 8 weeks to spend in the company of the emergency care workers, so there's plenty of time for things to pick up to full speed.
As one nurse commented on our first day, "it's just like Casualty off the telly."
Yes, I have finished my first week's worth of shifts for placement - 3 consecutive stints in Dr Gray's A&E department.
Dr G's; it's like I can't get enough. I've even been back on ward 7 twice, just to say hello and to transfer a patient. I'll never get away now. I guess it's good to know I'm still remembered. Whether those memories are of a fond nature, well, that's yet to be said...
But A&E - that's right where I want to be!
In the midst of the quiet corridors, empty cubicles, abandoned resus rooms...
Not quite right, is it?
Yet that's what my three days have been like (for the mornings at least) until things pick up slightly towards the evening time. The time when, having already been on for almost 10 hours, you can't quite be bothered to deal with drunken patients, screeching kids, and what ever other trivial condition walks through the doors.
Saying that, A&E has not been entirely uneventful. In my opinion it's still better than a ward, because of the great variety that comes with the job.
In the past 3 shifts I have learnt quite a lot, and any confidence with some procedures or equipment is partly thanks to the RC experience. Already I have had to put someone in an arm sling and elevation sling, and help log roll someone off a spinal board and onto the bed. Surprisingly, you don't learn these basics in Uni.
Anyway, this is what I've witnessed/been involved in so far (not in any precise order of events as my memory isn't that good - patient confidentiality taken into account):
- An elderly lady who had fallen and hurt her shoulder, ?fracture.
- A paediatric resus alert, where a baby had lost consciousness - this turned out to be a false alarm, as when the baby arrived from the ambo it was crying its lungs out and fully awake and alert, and had apparently been this way since the call out. Phew...
- A burnt penis.
- A Myocardial Infarction (MI, or a.k.a. heart attack) and the protocol which comes with it - the patient was still alert and conscious by the way (prior to RC/nursing, I always used to think of MIs as collapsed/unconscious/dead, but obviously this isn't always true).
- A construction site worker whose circular saw thing (the spinny one with a serrated edge) had bounced off the metal he had been cutting, and had sliced back into him, cutting through his chest. Thankfully it hadn't quite reached the bone, and being rather stocky his thick fleshy layers had taken the blow. A very nice, deep laceration.
- Suspected CVA (a.k.a. stroke)
- A man who had jacked his van up to check on a tyre. The jack gave way, and the van fell, crushing the man underneath. He entered A&E with a ?spinal and a very sore ?broken shoulder. Apparently this incident is also classed as an RTC.
- A fractured femur.
- A variety of old breaks and torn ligaments/tendons, which were all plaster-casted. Myself and my fellow student even got the chance to practice plastering thanks to the very nice Orthopedic technicians of the A&E dept. Very good fun, and very funny.
- A patient with a head injury who was choking on his own saliva (very briefly, before he was whisked away to get a CT scan).
Now one of the nurses has organised a day out for me and my friend with the ambulance crews, to observe the emergency work from a paramedic's point of view.
Obviously I am ecstatic over this, and can't wait until November when I get to join a crew for the day. I might try and pursuade my mentor for another day out. Thankfully she's very cool, hip and trendy, and if I ask nice enough she might just sort that out for me.
So yes, from the list it doesn't sound like a quiet stint, but it's very slow for Elgin A&E and even the nurses agree with me on that point!
Of course I have another 8 weeks to spend in the company of the emergency care workers, so there's plenty of time for things to pick up to full speed.
As one nurse commented on our first day, "it's just like Casualty off the telly."
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