ON CALL...again
Bad start to a good day....2 elderly (all of them are elderly in my ward) passed away this morning while we were doing the rounds. One of them was admitted by me from the clinic yesterday. She was 95. a frail chinese woman who has been bed-bound for the last 6 months and developed a very bad and smelly bed sore. Her children brought her from one GP to another.
Altogether she had 1 month of Augmentin, then another 2 weeks of Amoxillin and the bed sore was applied with Fucidin Cream for over 2 months! Not once did anyone attempt to clean her sore or deslough her. When I saw her yesterday, she was skin and bones, barely conscious and in pain. What really touched me were her 2 children who accompanied her. They were also very old (above 60).
When I requested for her to be placed on the bed to be examined, these 2 elderly people gently carried their mum onto the bed, huffing and puffing away. Their mum was in a bad state. I decided to admit her for nursing of the bed sore. It was badly infected and very smelly. You can even see her pelvic bone!
And less than 24 hours later, she breathed her last. Her son was by her side. She went away silently. Her son didn't make a big fuss. I guess he expected it. He said it was better that she went. She has suffered long enough. And indeed she had.
What really bugged me was the suboptimal care that she was given. I think the doctors failed her and ultimately took her life or at least hastened her death.
The rounds was over by 11.45 pm. It was made very unpleasant by the many intrusive relatives. The afternoon was more of the same. Relatives that dump their elderly folks in the A&E leaving us without a clue as to what is wrong with the patient; relatives who turn up 10 days after the patient has been admitted and demanding to know everything about the patient; relatives who hang around the patient even when requested (politely) to leave....the list goes on and on. Sigh!
So why is it a good day? Here are the reasons:
1. some of my patients are actually getting better! Miraculously!
2. I got some wedding flowers this morning from the office clerk. I couldn't go for her nephew's wedding over the weekend (because i had to work u see); so I send a gift. Now I got flowers in return. I wonder if I should eat the eggs that came with it.
3. I got a cheque for my travel claims. Not much but at least I won't starve till the next salary
4. I am taking a bunch of medical students for rounds later. I so like to teach. It's a great priviledge to teach. Each medical student is a potential consultant in the future. Plus, it makes me feel a little like Dr HOUSE. Heh heh!
So, I do feel good. I pray it will stay this way. Amen
Bad start to a good day....2 elderly (all of them are elderly in my ward) passed away this morning while we were doing the rounds. One of them was admitted by me from the clinic yesterday. She was 95. a frail chinese woman who has been bed-bound for the last 6 months and developed a very bad and smelly bed sore. Her children brought her from one GP to another.
Altogether she had 1 month of Augmentin, then another 2 weeks of Amoxillin and the bed sore was applied with Fucidin Cream for over 2 months! Not once did anyone attempt to clean her sore or deslough her. When I saw her yesterday, she was skin and bones, barely conscious and in pain. What really touched me were her 2 children who accompanied her. They were also very old (above 60).
When I requested for her to be placed on the bed to be examined, these 2 elderly people gently carried their mum onto the bed, huffing and puffing away. Their mum was in a bad state. I decided to admit her for nursing of the bed sore. It was badly infected and very smelly. You can even see her pelvic bone!
And less than 24 hours later, she breathed her last. Her son was by her side. She went away silently. Her son didn't make a big fuss. I guess he expected it. He said it was better that she went. She has suffered long enough. And indeed she had.
What really bugged me was the suboptimal care that she was given. I think the doctors failed her and ultimately took her life or at least hastened her death.
The rounds was over by 11.45 pm. It was made very unpleasant by the many intrusive relatives. The afternoon was more of the same. Relatives that dump their elderly folks in the A&E leaving us without a clue as to what is wrong with the patient; relatives who turn up 10 days after the patient has been admitted and demanding to know everything about the patient; relatives who hang around the patient even when requested (politely) to leave....the list goes on and on. Sigh!
So why is it a good day? Here are the reasons:
1. some of my patients are actually getting better! Miraculously!
2. I got some wedding flowers this morning from the office clerk. I couldn't go for her nephew's wedding over the weekend (because i had to work u see); so I send a gift. Now I got flowers in return. I wonder if I should eat the eggs that came with it.
3. I got a cheque for my travel claims. Not much but at least I won't starve till the next salary
4. I am taking a bunch of medical students for rounds later. I so like to teach. It's a great priviledge to teach. Each medical student is a potential consultant in the future. Plus, it makes me feel a little like Dr HOUSE. Heh heh!
So, I do feel good. I pray it will stay this way. Amen
posted by Jimbo @ 5/16/2006 06:45:00 PM
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