September 22, 2013

Emergency & Trauma = ETD

When I first started this posting, I was terrified- first responder, first person to clerk the patients and manage them before referring them to respective department or discharge. What if we missed clues? What if we managed wrongly?

However by the time we came to the end of this posting, I can only say that I had a blast in ETD- most of my colleagues were final posters, those whom we’ve worked with before in previous postings which of course made things easier as we knew our capabilities and limits; the MOs were superb, not only were they our superiors, but they acted more like friends so it was easy to consult and communicate. The specialist was awesome, someone admirable and well-respected. The staffs were team-players- from SNs, to MAs to PPKs... well, I can’t say everything or everyone’s perfect but you get the overall picture.

Lately I’ve been reading comments, reviews and articles perhaps about how patients were treated in ETD and how ETD was being over-abused by patients.

Please note that this is just my two-cents, I may be right but I may be wrong as well. 

4 months isn’t a long time in ETD but at least we know what is considered ‘emergencies’. Initially I thought that this only happen in the district where I was working but upon discussion with friends from different places, I know that this happens elsewhere as well.



My night shifts in Green Zone after Eid were pretty much no-sleep shift; colleagues who were with me could pretty much testify how J I was. Saying that, I still couldn’t understand why people would go over the troubles to come at 3 or 4 a.m. in the morning when they noticed their child has a fever starting at 2 a.m. It would perhaps be more beneficial to give paracetamol to your child and let them sleep the fever off and go to clinic the next morning if fever still persists rather than waking them up and make them feel groggy freezing under the aircond at the waiting area.

I also still couldn’t fathom the idea of patients insisted on imaging even after assessment, they don’t need one; perhaps were more willing to be radiated by the x-ray radiation? If so, then be it. And if you think 166/92 is so high of a BP, then tell me how does 202/120 sounds to you?

Seeing varieties of cases, I can sometimes understand parents/grandparent’s worries if there’s no stock of medicine for their children/grandchildren at home. Sometimes being woken up at night due to intense pain, continuous retching, difficulties in breathing etc; or complaint that has been for weeks or years like whole body itchiness for one year, right knee pain for 6 months, back pain for 2 weeks etc- these are all the things that public considered as ‘emergencies’- they don’t read medicine so it’s fair enough.

But while public think it’s emergency enough to come to hospital at that particular time, we have procedure called ‘triage’. If clinically you look well enough and your vital signs are stable, then you’ll be triage as ‘green’- non-critical cases and even in green, there are priority cases to be seen first.

If you are sick enough to be triage as yellow (semi-critical) or red (critical), we would really appreciate it if you or family members could provide us with information enough for us to pinpoint the main issues and manage accordingly. It’s a little frustrating when people come and expect medical personnel to know exactly what’s wrong just by one look and on examination only. No, we need history too.

The point is, while you think your condition is serious enough to come to ETD, we will assess and re-assess your condition according to priority. What you may assume as emergency may not be emergency enough for us to attend there and then, and we will make way to those cases that are real emergencies.

So while we can understand your concern for your ‘medical emergencies’, please, PLEASE do understand that we are doing our best based on what we’ve learned to attend to critical, semi-critical and non-critical cases according to priorities.

If fast lane is what you’re looking for or VIP treatment, it’s perhaps the best to go to private sector where you don’t have to wait for hours and every basic investigation are done.
If MCs is what you’re looking for, know that if you’re well enough to wait for hours and then be discharged with stable vital signs and no fever, then know that you are well enough to work... we’ve had colleagues who’s temperature 39 or keep on purging and couldn’t afford the luxury of MCs because of pending works....

Similar topics- Jump to:
What Public Doesn't Know
In The News: 6-Hours Waiting Time

Hope this will at least give some overview of what's going on 'behind the scene'.
I guess the bottom line in the end lies on public education.

September 16, 2013

Universal Studio Singapore & Legoland Malaysia

Along. Ira. Zahir. Zeze. Sham. These 5 people had been in a study group since Year 4. Occasionally Amal joined in. We all decided to go to different places for housemanship; never really planned to meet up every year although occasionally during end of posting break, we tried to meet up.

Last year we had Mini-Reunion Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Unanimously everyone agreed we just have to go to USS before we finish our housemanship, add JPO and Legoland while we're at that.

12th to 15th September, 2013
Almost semi-impromptu trip after short discussion via Whatsapp.
It was the time where people who knew each other so well gathered- where Along again was being bullied despite her age, Ira’s ‘tempurung’ came to light again, Sham’s non-stop chatter as always, Zeze’s childlike persona lashed out, Zahir being teased mercilessly and Amal’s diva-self appeared. And of course, Emmet joined in the party ;)

To make things easier, we stayed at Tune Hotel, Danga Bay where we also bought our shuttle tickets to Sentosa Singapore and Legoland from; convenience was more like it, places to eat are also nearby with walking distance away.

Met up on the 12th at Johor Premium Outlet, Kulaijaya while the lot waited for Emmet, Zeze & I to finish our shift at 4 p.m. Had dinner at George & Dragon. Nothing beats good food with good company. More so when you have things in common and many stories to exchange; where I don’t feel weird talking about work and people actually understand. Precious moment.



13th September- Universal Studio, Singapore!
To summarize it all, we took our own pace because of the Express Pass. But we did miss a lot of rides. Skipped Madagascar and Battleship Galactica totally, the later due to closed for technical purpose. And yet we still ran short of time for picturesque photos at the back of the NY alley and shopping. Later I realized it was because of the rain, the fact that we watched the B-Boyz’ performance twice and because we were wet most of the time, it was more tiring to move.... Energy drained too fast.

But it wasn't really what we did that mattered most, but who was there ;)

//Upon arrival

//Dry pod that's not working

//Purposely went on this first to get wet. Even with ponchos we were quite drenched!

//Disappointed that these roller coaster not working

//And got soaked again in Waterworld xD Our theme for the day was really "Wet"
                                     

//After it stopped raining

//I call them the dramatic lot

//Yup.... Tall enough to get in XP

//Went on this TWICE ;)

//Chocolate Monsters in NY, contemplating our future~

//Because they were awesome!


//Went on this TWICE too ;)

14th September- Legoland, Malaysia!
Emmet went back to KL so that left 8 of us. I read mix reviews about Legoland but the conclusion that the place is more for kids rather than adult holds true. Kids will definitely enjoy their time here with 'classes' and 'lessons' and shows, it was fun mixes with education.
I was also expecting hot sunny day but half of the time it was rather cloudy (we thought it was going to rain at any time). It's worthwhile to bring umbrellas and lots of water. I was expecting to find water coolers around but couldn't spot any.

But put the nice weather with a bunch of Chocolate Monsters who made fun out of the littlest things, yes, it was a fun day! We made up for the lack of photos in USS here. Scenery was awesome, except for lack of shades and trees. And music too. They also had 4-D movie show and one Rapid Adventure ride really soaked you well, just beware of it.
Some of the attendants/hosts could be more enthusiastic though, considering it was mostly kids who went on the rides. Exception, and many kudos for the staff in The Dragon and the staff who took our group photos for their energy!

We also heard that they will open the water theme-park in October and a hotel nearby by next year. Perhaps that will attract more grown-ups to come :)


//The ever-so-enthusiastic staff who took our pictures

//Yup, tall enough again to go in! ;)


//Dramatic lot on action...

//...As prisoners

//Had fun seeing Jester being bullied!

//The scenery from rotating tower. The site where water-themed park will be opened soon
//Looking at this, we knew we had to go on it. Totally didn't expect a wet ride but it was worth it! 

//Went on TWICE just to get wet evenly xD

//But at least the drying pods are working here

//Told you we are a bunch of dramatic lots...

//Who made fun out of nothing and littlest things!

//Magnificent Magic Show- where the boy stole the limelight and made the show his instead. Precious!

//We should go to the real KLCC and took the same shot and put this side by side

//Mini-Port Klang

//Was having tough-yet-fun-time to capture Amal 'touching' the tip of Taj Mahal

//So impressed with the detail of the structures reconstructed in MiniLand

//The Brainstormers




That night session was even more precious- Girls’ Gossip Session! Updated everyone on everyone else’ stories and planned for our next trip!

It was a short break- very tiring but worth every cent & moment. A short gate-away from work just to hang around people who mattered in your life. Really thankful that everyone could spend a little time and create some memories ♥

September 7, 2013

Note to Self

This is for myself, a reminder, so I won't astray:

6:162
“Say, ‘Indeed, my prayer, my service of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.’” (6:162)

Redirect to: Fall in Love with the Real Thing

There are bigger goals to achieve, sweeter end to attain, insyaAllah,
Ameen.