Oxycodone and halloween don't mix. Those who dressed up threw the patients for a loop. One patient complained of seeing batman the night before and wondered who the hot flapper girl was who was passing meds. He thought it was a part of his high- when in reality, he was talking about the doctor and his nurse.
"What are you dressed up as?" The patient asked me.
"Myself." I replied, at a loss for something clever.
"Well thats not very scary." She replied.
"I'm only on an hour of sleep." I offered, trying to get her to smile.
"Still not scared." She replied. "Happy freakin halloween Dani."
Driving home today some jack-off was driving like a clown. I was on speakerphone with my fiance and told him this. As the guy pulled up next to me I burst out laughing- he was dressed as a clown also.
Happy Halloween folks- hope y'all have some fun.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Changes to the Blog and Pics!
Hey there! When it snows and its a lazy day, I always look to update my blog for you, my loyal and faithful readers. Lately I have been looking to update the blog with new headliners, photos, quotes and more- and thought that step one- the headliner turned out to be a really fun experience.
Here are the final four cuts that I created for the blog. All of these were made on microsoft paint and with NONE of the fonts I wanted- but thats life. The quote on the backdrop of the middle two are the lyrics to 'How to Save a Life' by the Fray, an amazingly inspirational song that hits home to me. The skylines are actual photos from my hometown, and were actually quite hard to find without completly giving away my position.
My favorite is the one I posted at the top, however I wanted to leave this one open to my readers. So, you can vote on which of these four headers - or none- should make the final cut when the blog changes are finished! Leave your comment below and number them 1,2,3 or 4. If there is a reason why you like it, let me know! Keep an eye out for more changes, 
posts, quotes and qips every day! I am looking forward to blogging a little bit more before they cut me open, and then after that you get to hear about all my rehab struggles! (I really do feel bad for whoever decides to keep reading during that period- It'll be boring!)
posts, quotes and qips every day! I am looking forward to blogging a little bit more before they cut me open, and then after that you get to hear about all my rehab struggles! (I really do feel bad for whoever decides to keep reading during that period- It'll be boring!)Until then readers, BSI!
Snow
Snow is beautiful- cold, and I hate it for that- but still a lovely thing to enjoy. However, drivers who think they know how to drive in snow, bug the HELL outta me!
Last night my car slid on some black ice. Why?
Well, to give you a little background on me, I was raised and taught how to drive by drivers. Growing up with parents in safety and transportation, I learned quickly how to drive CORRECTLY. I am not your typical young female driver.
Now that that has been said, let me continue.
In my neighborhood there is a roundabout. For those of you who don't know what it is, it is a circular turn. In Spain they installed all of these and then quickly removed them because of all the accidents. I am waiting for the US to catch onto this and go back to 4-way-stops there.
Last night as I was going into the roundabout I slowed down to yield for a police officer, who was going FAR too fast in that turn. His car slid, but he got it corrected and continued on. His car was heading north, I was heading south. Suddenly he lost control again as my car started to move, and was heading towards my car. Quickly, I hit the gas and tried to get out of the car's way, and ended up hitting a patch of black ice and loosing control onto the curb.
The cop didn't stop, didn't even notice, and kept speeding on. My fiance and I had to get my car un-stuck from the mud and snow. When I find that cop I'm going to give him a piece of my mind!
Last night my car slid on some black ice. Why?
Well, to give you a little background on me, I was raised and taught how to drive by drivers. Growing up with parents in safety and transportation, I learned quickly how to drive CORRECTLY. I am not your typical young female driver.
Now that that has been said, let me continue.
In my neighborhood there is a roundabout. For those of you who don't know what it is, it is a circular turn. In Spain they installed all of these and then quickly removed them because of all the accidents. I am waiting for the US to catch onto this and go back to 4-way-stops there.
Last night as I was going into the roundabout I slowed down to yield for a police officer, who was going FAR too fast in that turn. His car slid, but he got it corrected and continued on. His car was heading north, I was heading south. Suddenly he lost control again as my car started to move, and was heading towards my car. Quickly, I hit the gas and tried to get out of the car's way, and ended up hitting a patch of black ice and loosing control onto the curb.
The cop didn't stop, didn't even notice, and kept speeding on. My fiance and I had to get my car un-stuck from the mud and snow. When I find that cop I'm going to give him a piece of my mind!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Letter to my first Partner
Dear Em,
I can't believe it has been three years already since we graduated EMT-B class, and high school. Life has changed so drastically since then, and it's hard to believe we've come this far. Some days I wake up, wondering where the time has gone.
We were assigned as partners in our EMT-B class within the first week. Neither of us were pleased- you would have prefered one of the other girls, or even one of the cute guys in our class. You had a few friends in that class- and I was not one of them. I didn't care who my partner was, as long as it was a guy. Soon I discovered that neither one of us got along well with girls and we became excellent friends.
Training became tough, but we exchanged e-mails, phone numbers and spent nights quizzing each other via I.M. since we were so many miles apart (approx 20.). We trained hard with each other and became fearless- overcoming those stupid obstacles that everyone struggled with with ease. Anatomy and Physiology became a breeze. Those papers we had to write each semster weren't as tough for us- we both took lots of college level classes and were able to proof read them with the other. Patient assessments got done quickly and with ease, and before too long we were spending entire afternoons practicing and timing each part of a patient assessment, just to find out who did it better and faster.
When our teacher told us that we would all be good friends, I didn't believe them. I didn't believe that I could trust anyone in that room as much as I came to trust you. When I was sick, you would bring over my homework and cold meds, and I would do the same for you. We told each other crazy stories, secrets and actually were good friends. I have never had a good female friend like you, and still to this day I consider you my best friend.
I will never forget the day we both arrived to school shocked and suprised. My father and your mother actually worked together! We didn't know how to feel, scared, shocked, supried, worried, and we both knew what it meant; we couldn't get in a fight. We never did fight though, and we never argued. Simple arguements were fought like boys, spatting it out quickly, and then forgetting it.
The weekend I lost my grandfather and one of my best friends you let me cry on your shoulder. We had participated in a state EMS competition and we placed 6th. Placing 6th was both of our faults, and we both could have placed 1st. We know it. I couldn't remember all the OPQRST's in order (which the judges required of us) and you couldn't get the oxygen tank completely set up and turned on. I was depressed about the competition, I was depressed about my friend, and I was depressed about my grandfather.
I didn't go to school on Monday or Tuesday, being busy with family plans, viewings and funerals. Once I did come to class though you and Dex pulled together to get me cards and balloons. I cried seeing how sweet the two of you were. It meant the world to me that you guys did anything at all.
Graduation was sad and depressing. I was thrilled to have my EMT-B license, but I was so sad to leave all the friends that I had made. Us Basics were family, and it's hard to leave your family. As we got our certificates and patches I remember our parents having us pose together, taking the one and only picture I have of me and my first partner.
Since then we have stayed in touch. You work at a mall and I work in a hospital. You are a sorority girl who is living and loving the college life, while I took the shortcut to adulthood and is living life opposite of you. My only wish would be that we would've had more time together as EMT-B partners.
Lately you haven't responded to my text messages or my phone calls. We don't e-mail or IM anymore. We have drifted apart. But thats okay, because I can't complain. My first partner was the best partner I could have ever asked for.
Thanks for being amazing Em.
I can't believe it has been three years already since we graduated EMT-B class, and high school. Life has changed so drastically since then, and it's hard to believe we've come this far. Some days I wake up, wondering where the time has gone.
We were assigned as partners in our EMT-B class within the first week. Neither of us were pleased- you would have prefered one of the other girls, or even one of the cute guys in our class. You had a few friends in that class- and I was not one of them. I didn't care who my partner was, as long as it was a guy. Soon I discovered that neither one of us got along well with girls and we became excellent friends.
Training became tough, but we exchanged e-mails, phone numbers and spent nights quizzing each other via I.M. since we were so many miles apart (approx 20.). We trained hard with each other and became fearless- overcoming those stupid obstacles that everyone struggled with with ease. Anatomy and Physiology became a breeze. Those papers we had to write each semster weren't as tough for us- we both took lots of college level classes and were able to proof read them with the other. Patient assessments got done quickly and with ease, and before too long we were spending entire afternoons practicing and timing each part of a patient assessment, just to find out who did it better and faster.
When our teacher told us that we would all be good friends, I didn't believe them. I didn't believe that I could trust anyone in that room as much as I came to trust you. When I was sick, you would bring over my homework and cold meds, and I would do the same for you. We told each other crazy stories, secrets and actually were good friends. I have never had a good female friend like you, and still to this day I consider you my best friend.
I will never forget the day we both arrived to school shocked and suprised. My father and your mother actually worked together! We didn't know how to feel, scared, shocked, supried, worried, and we both knew what it meant; we couldn't get in a fight. We never did fight though, and we never argued. Simple arguements were fought like boys, spatting it out quickly, and then forgetting it.
The weekend I lost my grandfather and one of my best friends you let me cry on your shoulder. We had participated in a state EMS competition and we placed 6th. Placing 6th was both of our faults, and we both could have placed 1st. We know it. I couldn't remember all the OPQRST's in order (which the judges required of us) and you couldn't get the oxygen tank completely set up and turned on. I was depressed about the competition, I was depressed about my friend, and I was depressed about my grandfather.
I didn't go to school on Monday or Tuesday, being busy with family plans, viewings and funerals. Once I did come to class though you and Dex pulled together to get me cards and balloons. I cried seeing how sweet the two of you were. It meant the world to me that you guys did anything at all.
Graduation was sad and depressing. I was thrilled to have my EMT-B license, but I was so sad to leave all the friends that I had made. Us Basics were family, and it's hard to leave your family. As we got our certificates and patches I remember our parents having us pose together, taking the one and only picture I have of me and my first partner.
Since then we have stayed in touch. You work at a mall and I work in a hospital. You are a sorority girl who is living and loving the college life, while I took the shortcut to adulthood and is living life opposite of you. My only wish would be that we would've had more time together as EMT-B partners.
Lately you haven't responded to my text messages or my phone calls. We don't e-mail or IM anymore. We have drifted apart. But thats okay, because I can't complain. My first partner was the best partner I could have ever asked for.
Thanks for being amazing Em.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Ick. Sick.
Wish there was anything worthwhile to report medibloggers, but alas, I am ill. Going to the doctor tomorrow after a long week of feeling like crap. Here is hoping I am a wuss- but then again- I'm the girl who busted her collarbone and didn't know it.
How is everyone else doing?
How is everyone else doing?
Saturday, October 24, 2009
I Still Don't Get the Bird Reference...
But I became a member of Twitter!
Follow me under the username EMTDani to hear about my everyday woes and battles with patients, family, friends and colleagues. I am still figuring it out, but my phone came with a handy widget for it, and I have since fallen in love with the idea!
Thanks guys!
Follow me under the username EMTDani to hear about my everyday woes and battles with patients, family, friends and colleagues. I am still figuring it out, but my phone came with a handy widget for it, and I have since fallen in love with the idea!
Thanks guys!
Level 6.2 Care
EMS 2.0 is taking off in an amazing whirlwind around the medic blogospheres. It's amazing how a simple idea is going above and beyond. I have loved reading about this great idea and about how we as EMT's plan to change health care for the better.
The CEO of my hospital sends out many e-mails, most of which I don't read. I must have been exceptionally bored or in a go-getter mood because I read one of them today that talked about level 5 care in a hospital setting. All I could think about was 'what on earth is level 5 care supposed to mean?' and 'I thought we were a level 1 trauma center- is level 5 care good or bad!?' So I did some research in and around all the hospitals in my state. The scale is 1-5, the lower your score the worse you are. Aiming for level 5 is aiming for the highest. This got me thinking.
During nurses week we had a comment on our poster that said 'thanks for the level 5 care.' Another scribbled message said 'enough of this level 5 crap- I got level 6.2 care here!'
That poster is still sitting in the hallway, staring us down, reminding us why we do what we do. I have no idea what level 6.2 means, but it's much better than level 5!
So folks, I am issuing another challenge to us all. Let's all give level 6.2 care.
The standards that all the hospitals I looked up had in common were:
1. Compassion: As stated in yesterdays post, I am the first to admit that sometimes I am not as compassionate as I need or want to be. Let's all try to genuinely listen to our patients, knowing that everyone lies, but acting towards them as if this rule never existed. Synonyms of the word compassion are; sympathy, empathy, heartfelt and caring. All traits we should work on.
2.Responsibility: Being on the bottom of the food chain is easy. Being at the top is hard. Either way we are loaded with responsibilities for another human life, and sometimes its a life we aren't fond of. It's easy to love your child and care for them, but it is very hard to have a psych patient and keep calm around them. Stepping up is the hardest, biggest thing any of us in a hospital can do, and its a rare occurrence when anyone does it. I personally am vowing to always do my glucometer checks, fridge checks and take the equipment out of the rooms on Friday nights, even though that's not my job to do.
3.Diversity: Everywhere I go there is little to no diversity. I live in a VERY white state, and I am not just talking about snow and minerals here, I mean to tell you that in my high school there were roughly 2500 students. 300 were Hispanic and 5 were African American. That leaves 2295 white kids. Diversity comes in many different packages, in skin color, in religion, in political beliefs and so many other ways. It wasn't until I got my second job that I got to dealing with different kinds of people. Until then I had never met anyone who spoke Somalian, Iranian, dialects of Chinese and heaven only knows how many other languages. I had never seen anyone wear a turban in real life and thought that I would see so many different forms of religion through clothing choices. Each day I see and learn more and more about the world I live in, but I cannot become a better health care professional if I don't try to learn. Let's all try to talk to our patients about their lives, their beliefs and themselves, which will not only lead to better care, but more comfortable relationships with their caregivers.
4.Quality: When we play the alphabet game we always look for this word, and are always so sadly disappointed when it becomes a hard word to find. It's a hard word to find because its a rare thing for anyone to have or to give. Quality. We work in a devastating field. People who should live, die. Children get incurable diseases. Families are torn apart. We see this happening right before our eyes, so who am I to ask you to give more quality of care? I know I'm asking for alot. But the patients deserve it.
Whether it be giving a patient an extra can of soda, or taking five minutes to help them apply some lotion to their back, the little things are the things that our patients like the most. I am vowing to take 5 minutes of free time on shift to spend with each patient, talking with them, fetching them odds and ends, even straightening up their rooms for them. I am vowing to hold more hands, pass more tissues, sit at more bedsides and to listen to more stories. If I was a patient that person would be a quality aide, and that is who I want to become.
5.Trust: We work with them from anywhere between 4-16 hours. We may or may not see them again the next shift we have. There is no consistency in the hospital, but we can still gain trust with a patient. Trust is an incredibly hard thing to gain, the world is full of mean, horrible people and whats worse, the media makes doctors, nurses, even aides out to be the bad guys. In television shows the nurses are the mean grumpy ones, the aides are ditzy and worthless. We need to fight barriers to gain a patients trust. I have no idea, no advice and no words of wisdom as to how to accomplish this, I just hope that as level 6.2. care givers we can.
I am taking a vow to be a better caregiver and to do a better job. To focus more on my patients and to see what we can do to not only save a life, but to change a life.
If you're with me, leave me a comment and set yourself a goal as well. We may be thousands of miles apart, but that doesn't mean that we can make a difference inside the hospital while these Paramedics are making a difference on the streets.
The CEO of my hospital sends out many e-mails, most of which I don't read. I must have been exceptionally bored or in a go-getter mood because I read one of them today that talked about level 5 care in a hospital setting. All I could think about was 'what on earth is level 5 care supposed to mean?' and 'I thought we were a level 1 trauma center- is level 5 care good or bad!?' So I did some research in and around all the hospitals in my state. The scale is 1-5, the lower your score the worse you are. Aiming for level 5 is aiming for the highest. This got me thinking.
During nurses week we had a comment on our poster that said 'thanks for the level 5 care.' Another scribbled message said 'enough of this level 5 crap- I got level 6.2 care here!'
That poster is still sitting in the hallway, staring us down, reminding us why we do what we do. I have no idea what level 6.2 means, but it's much better than level 5!
So folks, I am issuing another challenge to us all. Let's all give level 6.2 care.
The standards that all the hospitals I looked up had in common were:
1. Compassion: As stated in yesterdays post, I am the first to admit that sometimes I am not as compassionate as I need or want to be. Let's all try to genuinely listen to our patients, knowing that everyone lies, but acting towards them as if this rule never existed. Synonyms of the word compassion are; sympathy, empathy, heartfelt and caring. All traits we should work on.
2.Responsibility: Being on the bottom of the food chain is easy. Being at the top is hard. Either way we are loaded with responsibilities for another human life, and sometimes its a life we aren't fond of. It's easy to love your child and care for them, but it is very hard to have a psych patient and keep calm around them. Stepping up is the hardest, biggest thing any of us in a hospital can do, and its a rare occurrence when anyone does it. I personally am vowing to always do my glucometer checks, fridge checks and take the equipment out of the rooms on Friday nights, even though that's not my job to do.
3.Diversity: Everywhere I go there is little to no diversity. I live in a VERY white state, and I am not just talking about snow and minerals here, I mean to tell you that in my high school there were roughly 2500 students. 300 were Hispanic and 5 were African American. That leaves 2295 white kids. Diversity comes in many different packages, in skin color, in religion, in political beliefs and so many other ways. It wasn't until I got my second job that I got to dealing with different kinds of people. Until then I had never met anyone who spoke Somalian, Iranian, dialects of Chinese and heaven only knows how many other languages. I had never seen anyone wear a turban in real life and thought that I would see so many different forms of religion through clothing choices. Each day I see and learn more and more about the world I live in, but I cannot become a better health care professional if I don't try to learn. Let's all try to talk to our patients about their lives, their beliefs and themselves, which will not only lead to better care, but more comfortable relationships with their caregivers.
4.Quality: When we play the alphabet game we always look for this word, and are always so sadly disappointed when it becomes a hard word to find. It's a hard word to find because its a rare thing for anyone to have or to give. Quality. We work in a devastating field. People who should live, die. Children get incurable diseases. Families are torn apart. We see this happening right before our eyes, so who am I to ask you to give more quality of care? I know I'm asking for alot. But the patients deserve it.
Whether it be giving a patient an extra can of soda, or taking five minutes to help them apply some lotion to their back, the little things are the things that our patients like the most. I am vowing to take 5 minutes of free time on shift to spend with each patient, talking with them, fetching them odds and ends, even straightening up their rooms for them. I am vowing to hold more hands, pass more tissues, sit at more bedsides and to listen to more stories. If I was a patient that person would be a quality aide, and that is who I want to become.
5.Trust: We work with them from anywhere between 4-16 hours. We may or may not see them again the next shift we have. There is no consistency in the hospital, but we can still gain trust with a patient. Trust is an incredibly hard thing to gain, the world is full of mean, horrible people and whats worse, the media makes doctors, nurses, even aides out to be the bad guys. In television shows the nurses are the mean grumpy ones, the aides are ditzy and worthless. We need to fight barriers to gain a patients trust. I have no idea, no advice and no words of wisdom as to how to accomplish this, I just hope that as level 6.2. care givers we can.
I am taking a vow to be a better caregiver and to do a better job. To focus more on my patients and to see what we can do to not only save a life, but to change a life.
If you're with me, leave me a comment and set yourself a goal as well. We may be thousands of miles apart, but that doesn't mean that we can make a difference inside the hospital while these Paramedics are making a difference on the streets.
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