Code Blue

[FloatingCloud]

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Would a resident be responsible to participate in a Code Blue response team? Would a resident know how to clear the patient's throat of stomach fluids as the patient is being bagged with oxygen? Would a resident know how to start an IV drip? Are residents assigned to draw blood all the time?

I am currently reading Internal Bleeding: The truth behind America's terrifying epidemic of medical mistakes, and the stories make me question my interest in pursuing medicine as a career (I am currently pre-med.).

My exposure to medicine has been from shadowing private practitioners in pediatrics and dermatology. To me I saw nothing that was gross or revolting. These happy experiences made me interested in becoming a doctor. Yet, I now realize that these wonderful doctors were at their pleasant phase AFTER their 'scut' work phase.

I have worked long hours before, however the long hours at the hospital that a resident is exposed to when responsible for patients' welfare seems (beyond words). The last thing any resident would want to do is harm their patient. Fatigue-related errors worry me!

Perhaps how much exposure to the phlem, vomit, smells, feces, and fatigue a resident/fellow/practitioner has depends on where they choose to work.

Any comments to enhance or sooth my discomfort are welcome. Thanks.

 

[BadVB750]

Perhaps how much exposure to the phlem, vomit, smells, feces, and fatigue a resident/fellow/practitioner has depends on where they choose to work.

Well, I cleaned feces off a women's stomach yesterday and I'm just a third year. The truth is, people get sick and produce foul smells. Bad smells and gross looking substances are apart of many fields in medicine. Attendings, residents and students all deal with smells and bodily fluids.

 

[Mirror Form]

Would a resident be responsible to participate in a Code Blue response team?

well yeah ofcourse, residents are often in charge of the code. How else would they become competent to teach other people the day they graduate residency? It's just an algorithm anyway.

Would a resident know how to clear the patient's throat of stomach fluids as the patient is being bagged with oxygen? Would a resident know how to start an IV drip? Are residents assigned to draw blood all the time?

Usually the resident instructs nurses to do those things. However, most residents could do those tasks if necessary.

I am currently reading Internal Bleeding: The truth behind America's terrifying epidemic of medical mistakes, and the stories make me question my interest in pursuing medicine as a career (I am currently pre-med.).

My exposure to medicine has been from shadowing private practitioners in pediatrics and dermatology. To me I saw nothing that was gross or revolting. These happy experiences made me interested in becoming a doctor. Yet, I now realize that these wonderful doctors were at their pleasant phase AFTER their 'scut' work phase.

I have worked long hours before, however the long hours at the hospital that a resident is exposed to when responsible for patients' welfare seems (beyond words). The last thing any resident would want to do is harm their patient. Fatigue-related errors worry me!

Yep, being a resident sucks, and being an intern is even worse.

Perhaps how much exposure to the phlem, vomit, smells, feces, and fatigue a resident/fellow/practitioner has
depends on where they choose to work.

They do depend on which field you go into to. However, expect a lot of all of those things during the last two years of med school and especially during internship. After that, if you want, you can go into a residency that doesn't involves them as much.

 

[Blade28]

If you spend any time at all in a county hospital, then yes, you'll learn how to draw blood, start IVs, etc.

 

[edinOH]

I like the words "terrifying" and "epidemic" in the title of the book.

Makes me doubt the author has any kind of agenda.

Probably an honest look at medicine and how it is practiced and taught in the U.S.

 

[kungfufishing]

I like the words "terrifying" and "epidemic" in the title of the book.

Makes me doubt the author has any kind of agenda.

Probably an honest look at medicine and how it is practiced and taught in the U.S.

You mean, the terrifying residency epidemic? Good luck this weekend - looks like you guys will get more of it than we will but hopefully not eat the whole thing.

 

[edinOH]

I'm actually heading to Jackson in the early morning for a flight to D.C.

For some reason the pilot is too big of a wuss to fly out of Baton Rouge.

It isn't like it's a category five or anything. Sheesh. 😀

 

[gwen]

if we worried about fluids and vomitus and feces...man, there wouldn't be just medical mistakes (considering we're human despite trying our best to be otherwise)...there would be NO medical care. if you're interested in medicine, i'd go shadow a physician who works inside a hospital to see how much you can handle (not a dermatologist...i personally question if they're doctors...ok, just joking), and do not read that medical mistake crap...that's for malpractice lawyeres. if we all worried about mistakes and malpractice, no one would be treating patients. every job has its risks...and medicine probably has the highest risks...but someone with balls has to take it. also, you will get used to the fluids, smells, etc slowly as you progress from third year to residency. trust me, i used to pass out if someone just drew my blood when i was a little kid...and now i can handle almost anything that the hospital has to offer. the only thing i couldn't get over was episiotomy...don't ask why...its just gross. but whatever, you deal with it temporarily and move on to something you like.

perhaps you should try to watch "dirty jobs" on the discovery channel...gives you a whole new perspective on your job...

peace!

gwen

 

[Solideliquid]

Gwen-

I have to agree with you on episiotomies...scissors just DON'T belong...down there...*retch*

lol and the thing is I'm not at all squeamish.