There is no feeling in this world to equate to a post-call after an eventful call.
And there is no feeling quite like realizing, 'Damn, I have the best colleagues.'
There I was, trying to resuscitate an unstable patient in the Red Zone.
Green cases piling up in the background.
Some yellow cases too- being handled with my other shift partner.
Some friends left a Christmas party in the maternity ward momentarily, just to see how things are in the ETD.
Saw the "festivities" taking place in the ETD (*cough*disaster*cough*).
And immediately began clerking green cases. Helped me and encouraged me in decision-making regarding the resus case. Helped me try NIV and coax the patient to follow through- even though that failed quickly.
Helped look after the patient as I called boss for the nth time that night to aid in decision-making.
When the time came to intubate, they were there at the ready- one holding the BVM, another positioning the patient's head, another holding the pre-meds- in lieu of the SNs and MAs who were busy suturing, serving medication, and registering other patients in the background. Supporting me emotionally as my nerves were tattered and frayed from all that has happened.
When intubation was done, they helped set up the ventilator (I am next to clueless when it comes to ventilator settings), secure the placement, fill out and send the post-intubation CXR form.
Stayed there a while longer to ensure everything else was running smoothly, giving input when needed.
They could have spent that time in the ward singing Christmas carols, enjoying more of the delicious food arrayed, chatting about fun stuff or enjoying the reactions as presents were being exchanged, cheery Christmas music playing in the background, laughter a constant presence.
But they didn't.
They helped out someone in need instead, in a place less desirable: filled with beeping monitors, disgruntled relatives, patients groaning in pain and body fluids galore, air filled with infectious microbes- during their off-hours.
If I could award them with APCs, I would award one to each of them. Because my colleagues put the needs of their friends and patients in front of their own desires.
They are the best Christmas presents I have ever received.
And there is no feeling quite like realizing, 'Damn, I have the best colleagues.'
There I was, trying to resuscitate an unstable patient in the Red Zone.
Green cases piling up in the background.
Some yellow cases too- being handled with my other shift partner.
Some friends left a Christmas party in the maternity ward momentarily, just to see how things are in the ETD.
Saw the "festivities" taking place in the ETD (*cough*disaster*cough*).
And immediately began clerking green cases. Helped me and encouraged me in decision-making regarding the resus case. Helped me try NIV and coax the patient to follow through- even though that failed quickly.
Helped look after the patient as I called boss for the nth time that night to aid in decision-making.
When the time came to intubate, they were there at the ready- one holding the BVM, another positioning the patient's head, another holding the pre-meds- in lieu of the SNs and MAs who were busy suturing, serving medication, and registering other patients in the background. Supporting me emotionally as my nerves were tattered and frayed from all that has happened.
When intubation was done, they helped set up the ventilator (I am next to clueless when it comes to ventilator settings), secure the placement, fill out and send the post-intubation CXR form.
Stayed there a while longer to ensure everything else was running smoothly, giving input when needed.
They could have spent that time in the ward singing Christmas carols, enjoying more of the delicious food arrayed, chatting about fun stuff or enjoying the reactions as presents were being exchanged, cheery Christmas music playing in the background, laughter a constant presence.
But they didn't.
They helped out someone in need instead, in a place less desirable: filled with beeping monitors, disgruntled relatives, patients groaning in pain and body fluids galore, air filled with infectious microbes- during their off-hours.
If I could award them with APCs, I would award one to each of them. Because my colleagues put the needs of their friends and patients in front of their own desires.
They are the best Christmas presents I have ever received.
