Best ER shift yet, but don't make me go back there!
Last night was probably the nicest ER shift I’ve had thus far. Fortunately it was my second to last ER shift. That thought alone makes my day better. I was 2 for 2 on my IVs and did a few direct blood draws, fun!
The funniest story started long before I arrived. The patient in question had been seen and discharged twice before my shift started. First he was taken to his ‘home’ by a private ambulance company. Unfortunately for them it was a false address. When no one answered the phone at home the pt. claimed that they didn’t usually pick up. When aforementioned private ambo company discovered the fake address, they brought the patient back to the ED. Said pt. was later discharged again. I must mention here that he was missing an important extremity and had an ugly unhealed abscess in a nasty place. (so yucky that the tech said, “You can come in and help as long as you don’t breathe and don’t laugh.” a worthy challenge) Now, back to the story. At the time of this discharge, he felt it was appropriate to wheel himself into the middle of a busy Baltimore street (apparently waiting to be hit). Genius at work. My good citizen of the month discovered his attention grabbing scheme and kindly escorted him back to the ED complete with police and paramedic escort. This was about the time I arrived for my shift. All the nurses were praying they wouldn’t get this patient. They had already seen him that day, twice. My nurse ended up getting him, she was none too happy. He was cooperative for a while, especially because the doc gave up and admitted him. Later, his colostomy bag “accidentally” broke, gross.
He and another patient who was hopelessly drunk were the comedic highlight of the evening. Drunk guys conversation with every female in the room: “Hi, how are you feeling tonight?” “Better, now that I’m lookin’ at you!” Ah, there is still hope for us single girls!
Last ER shift tomorrow night! (and there is much rejoicing)
The funniest story started long before I arrived. The patient in question had been seen and discharged twice before my shift started. First he was taken to his ‘home’ by a private ambulance company. Unfortunately for them it was a false address. When no one answered the phone at home the pt. claimed that they didn’t usually pick up. When aforementioned private ambo company discovered the fake address, they brought the patient back to the ED. Said pt. was later discharged again. I must mention here that he was missing an important extremity and had an ugly unhealed abscess in a nasty place. (so yucky that the tech said, “You can come in and help as long as you don’t breathe and don’t laugh.” a worthy challenge) Now, back to the story. At the time of this discharge, he felt it was appropriate to wheel himself into the middle of a busy Baltimore street (apparently waiting to be hit). Genius at work. My good citizen of the month discovered his attention grabbing scheme and kindly escorted him back to the ED complete with police and paramedic escort. This was about the time I arrived for my shift. All the nurses were praying they wouldn’t get this patient. They had already seen him that day, twice. My nurse ended up getting him, she was none too happy. He was cooperative for a while, especially because the doc gave up and admitted him. Later, his colostomy bag “accidentally” broke, gross.
He and another patient who was hopelessly drunk were the comedic highlight of the evening. Drunk guys conversation with every female in the room: “Hi, how are you feeling tonight?” “Better, now that I’m lookin’ at you!” Ah, there is still hope for us single girls!
Last ER shift tomorrow night! (and there is much rejoicing)
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