isolation

We just picked up a patient who was in "isolation" for a respiratory infection. The guy was in a room in the hospital all by himself for two weeks. He said thanks right away for picking him up since he was WAY ready to leave the place, and after our 15 mile transport to the next hospital we were taking him to he said: "I basically talked your partner's ear off back here.. I haven't talked to anyone in a while."

My heart.

I forget sometimes how our patients must feel, especially the ones who can't verbalize their emotions. Most especially the ones who don't have anyone to talk to.

And it's not just patients that this applies to.. those encountered on a day to day basis need some love and attention. I forget that sometimes.

6am

that's the time i woke up today. for work- of course! i dunno who wakes up at 6am 'cause they want to.. i'm guessing productive people do.

but yes- 8am starts are always fun.. waking up when the sun isn't out yet, battling traffic on the way to work..

wish i had a picture to post from what i did at work today! as a new hire they have me floating around each schedule working shifts at the most random times.. monday i worked a 24hr shift and finally got to spike a saline bag, yesterday i started at 11am and worked a 9hr shift, and today was the special day- a 5hr shift working a fire drill in Montebello..

today was pretty fun.. it looked something like this..

and i looked something like this
doing something like this..
we had a cool simulated mass-casualty incident where we had to wheel patients over to triage areas then transport them on our gurney to the nearest hospital.

had time to relax today after getting off early so after my super exciting shift i baked cookies, watched BOLT finally, drank a 50/50 from It's A Grind and re-watched the last episode of community! I AM SO buying the season when it comes out on DVD... =)

one thing i do in my spare time

77 words

Speed test

from Oakland Children's Hospital Website

Protect yourself and others. Follow these flu prevention tips:

HOTLINE_ 510-428-3080

Swine Flu Information (.pdf)

1. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person to person through droplets transmitted when infected people cough or sneeze. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or with an alcohol-based hand cleaner, especially after you cough or sneeze, and after all exposures to sick people or animals.

2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
That's how germs are spread.

3. If ill, stay at home and limit your contact with other people.

4. Inform your doctor if you or someone in your family becomes ill with flu-like symptoms.
Especially if you have been around pigs, traveled to an area with a known swine flu outbreak, or had contact with someone diagnosed with swine flu.

5. Stay at home if you have a fever above 100ºF (37.8ºC) along with:

• a sore throat and/or cough;
• any more severe respiratory symptoms.

6. Do not go to work and do not send children to school if they are sick with these or any additional symptoms.

7. Carefully follow medical instructions.
If you are a parent visiting a child in the hospital who has known or suspected swine flu you will be given specific instructions about:

• How to use personal protective equipment.
• How to wear gowns, gloves and masks.
• Always washing your hands after leaving the patient's bedside.

8. If ill, do not come into the hospital to visit children.
If you are sick or have any of these symptoms: a runny nose, congestion, watery eyes, or a new or unknown rash, you will not be allowed to visit.

9. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

#371.

Just to see how it feels, for the next 24 hours refrain from criticizing anyone and anything.

#357.

Evaluate yourself by your own standards, not someone else's.

#322.

Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.