Twas about this time last year that I came out of retirement to help out at our local COVID-19 testing clinic. I ended up working there for a total of 3 months. By that time, Australian COVID-19 numbers were tapering off and business at the clinic was slow. I figured that was my curtain call […]
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You never know when an unexpected medical problem will interrupt your trip with a hospital visit. Here is a list of useful items to take with you. Even better, if you (or a family member) are about to go to hospital, or you frequently require admission, why not make an admit kit. A small pre-packed […]
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Life was pretty tough for a junior nurse back in the day*: Military hospital, France 1945: the flatus nurse does her rounds. At precisely 7 AM each morning the flatus nurse would commence her round.Patients would assume the Schlemberg’s position (recumbant with legs held high in the air) and one by one, amidst much grunting, […]
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William is a 68 year old man who has just died in hospital.He could be your friend. He could be your spouse. He could be a close family member.This is the story of what will happen to William next. Immediately after William has died. William’s death might be expected: he has been receiving palliative care, […]
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Every day, all over Australia patients that have been treated in Emergency Departments (ED’s) and need admitting to hospital are moved out into ED corridors because there are no ward beds available. Nationally, emergency department waiting times are steadily rising. A recent report (pdf) released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that for […]
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How come I have been waiting to be seen in the Emergency Department for 2 hours, and that lady walks in and goes straight through? That is just not fair. Everybody understands what a queue is. And it seems like a fair and reasonable way to be seen. After all, it works for banks, and […]
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Here are 3 remarkable true stories about the very same bed space in the emergency department where I worked: Resuscitation Bed 1. The first story I wrote after an incident with a colleague at work. The second two were written by others as responses to that story……
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Some time ago we had a 98 yo lady (whom I will call Betty), transferred to our emergency department from a local nursing home. Betty was having palliative care at the nursing home and was well aware that she was soon going to die. Betty had completed an advance care directive (ACD) stating her wishes […]
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