Doctor, it is all your fault

Being an emergency physician really takes gut to be one. Several doctors including me are facing an allegation of patient mismanagement at this moment, it started with poor communication between a colleague of mine and a patient’s family. They nearly had argument in ED, and later I took over the case as the shift changed. I didn’t have any quarrel with any members of family but patient made a worse turn in outcome, he suddenly had right side weakness and it became apparent that this patient had stroke. I don’t believe I have done anything wrong or did not do things that could have changed patient’s progression. Legally and morally I stand firmly on the ground as I have done the best for this patient. It just that this incident strikes me deeply in my heart. What I have done to deserve this? Nowadays, I have to say that not a lots, but increasingly the patients and their family take our work for granted if you treat them and make them well, because that’s doctors’ job. When things are not going the way the family plan, or the patient’s condition became worse, doctors are to be blamed for or be responsible. I am not sure if this has to do with our culture, I have seen so many times in my own department in Taipei, but I don’t recall similar issues when I was training in the states. This is really a big stress for being an ED physician here, most local patients came to ED expecting a “quick fix” of their problem as oppose to going to a regular clinic/medical office for a complete evaluation and treatment. And the nature of acute state of the illness, family and the patients want “rapid” change in a better way in ED. They think you are neither incompetent nor not caring enough to their lovely one when patient is not feeling better. It is all doctors’ faults.
What do I do when someone saying that to me? What do I do? What have I done to deserve this? I am a doctor, I am not God. I can do my best to help every single patient, but I can’t make everyone lived happily and healthy.

Yesterday's blue mood

Yesterday I was in a bad mood, well! blue mood actually. The minute I stepped into my emergency department, the blue cloud came over my head. The emergency room was full of the patients, my department is small, I was the only doctor to care all patients with medical problems. There were more than 20 patients left from day shift, plus 3 new patients waiting to be seen. 15 minutes later after arrival in ED, my colleague called me and told me about the update of a patient complaining of ED service, the development was not promising and in fact upsetting. Suddenly my blue mood was worsened, I felt speechless but at the same time, I felt like to raise my voice and yield at someone at once. Then I realized that my patient was sitting right in front of me, staring at me with a puzzle look, as if the doctor was going crazy soon. In the other end, one nurse was telling me new complains from patients in the observation area regardless no attention to her from me at all.
Life goes on, yesterday was history already, I survived as usual.

Elton John's concert in Taipei

I have been to many outdoor concerts, but this one is my first one that I have to wear a raincoat. It was a raining day in Taipei, not pouring really hard, but enough to open an umbrella or wear a raincoat.
Another "first time" in this concert is that I have a front row seat, yes, the very first row. The ticket costs me NT 6.000. At the end of concert, people just get off the seat and gather in front of the stage. Sr. John is very frinedly to fans, he shakes hands, signs autographs on CDs for audiences.
The concert is great, not the typical popstar concert, it is all about the music, he sings and plays the piano. The stage is pretty simple, no exotic dancers. His voice is immaculate, and just sound like in CD. He is really talented.

Never say "good day" in ED

The minute that I logged off, my ED (emergency department) was flooded immediately with patients, I had a patient who was DOA ( dead on arrival), an old man who had a hole on his neck can't breath, and one young man vomited fresh blood several times at home. And if it were not bad enough, one grandpa who was very pale and had tarry stools inside his pants....... Gee! I am not really a superstitious guy, but there are something you just don't want to say or do if working in ED. Saying " good day " is one of them. Well... From the other hand, I can always think in this way that hospital is not paying me just to sit in front of a monitor, typing my thoughts and not seeing real people and savin lives.

My first blog

Not really knowing what to say on my fiest blog post,........ actually I am working at this moment in the hospital. Thanks God! Although it is a Saturday, my ED is not "flooded" yet with sick people. I spend most of my time this morning seeing patients stayed overnight. Let some people go home and few just need to stay a little longer before I can let them go home. I am also able to admit those really sick people to the wards for further care but ICU, the intensive care unit (they are always full), ...anyway I consider today so far has been a good day for me.