Conversations
An embarrassing conversation with a coworker, D., I attended 2 weeks of orientation with when first hired (as I am in the process of emptying a patient's colostomy bag):
Me: Just be careful. (My day trainer) Sandra told me about someone she trained before me who emptied the bag & was trying to read how much was in the canister while trying to open the bathroom door...and there was an incident...
At this point I looked at D. who had a weird look on her face.
D: Yeah, that was probably me. When I was holding the canister too high and the bathroom door hit it?
Me: Oh, shit (literally). Good going, Kim. Open mouth, insert foot. Mumbles: Ummm, yeah. She was just trying to let me know to be careful. {changes subject}...
For the patients who have urine & colostomy bags, we have to empty them into a clear canister and note how much is in them before dumping them in the bathroom toilet. Let's just say she was holding the canister full of the patient's colostomy output at eye level while opening the bathroom door (all of which swing out). The door hit the canister & she got splashed in the face.
Another conversation:
Me (to my coworker, K): We're all out of plastic spoons in the pantry*. Are there any more somewhere?
K: In F's office. Do you know where that is?
Me: I've been there a couple times, but I still don't remember exactly where it is. If you could point me in the right direction...
{K. leads me to F's office which is also the main supply room}
K: Here is where all the supplies are if F hasn't yet restocked the closets in the halls. {Points out various items}: The plastic spoons, forks, knives; cups; gloves... The slings for the lifts for newly admitted patients... {points to items on a bottom shelf} Here are the body bags down here...Hmmm, these aren't the body bags. But they're usually kept here.
Me: Hopefully I won't need to get one any time soon.
K (matter of factly): Oh, you'll need them. Just remember they are usually kept here on this shelf.
Me: Body bags on the bottom shelf. Got it.
*The pantry is kind of a broom closet type/mini kitchen room right at the front of one of the halls where there are such things as a coffee maker for employees, a fridge, microwave, ice & water machine and various cupboards where handy items like juices & beverage thickeners (for patients who have problems swallowing naturally thin beverages) are kept.
Also? The hospital has a gift shop. The (Tenth) Doctor would be gleeful.
Me: Just be careful. (My day trainer) Sandra told me about someone she trained before me who emptied the bag & was trying to read how much was in the canister while trying to open the bathroom door...and there was an incident...
At this point I looked at D. who had a weird look on her face.
D: Yeah, that was probably me. When I was holding the canister too high and the bathroom door hit it?
Me: Oh, shit (literally). Good going, Kim. Open mouth, insert foot. Mumbles: Ummm, yeah. She was just trying to let me know to be careful. {changes subject}...
For the patients who have urine & colostomy bags, we have to empty them into a clear canister and note how much is in them before dumping them in the bathroom toilet. Let's just say she was holding the canister full of the patient's colostomy output at eye level while opening the bathroom door (all of which swing out). The door hit the canister & she got splashed in the face.
Another conversation:
Me (to my coworker, K): We're all out of plastic spoons in the pantry*. Are there any more somewhere?
K: In F's office. Do you know where that is?
Me: I've been there a couple times, but I still don't remember exactly where it is. If you could point me in the right direction...
{K. leads me to F's office which is also the main supply room}
K: Here is where all the supplies are if F hasn't yet restocked the closets in the halls. {Points out various items}: The plastic spoons, forks, knives; cups; gloves... The slings for the lifts for newly admitted patients... {points to items on a bottom shelf} Here are the body bags down here...Hmmm, these aren't the body bags. But they're usually kept here.
Me: Hopefully I won't need to get one any time soon.
K (matter of factly): Oh, you'll need them. Just remember they are usually kept here on this shelf.
Me: Body bags on the bottom shelf. Got it.
*The pantry is kind of a broom closet type/mini kitchen room right at the front of one of the halls where there are such things as a coffee maker for employees, a fridge, microwave, ice & water machine and various cupboards where handy items like juices & beverage thickeners (for patients who have problems swallowing naturally thin beverages) are kept.
Also? The hospital has a gift shop. The (Tenth) Doctor would be gleeful.