#584 - E is for Emergency

Let me give you an example of what constitutes an emergency...

There's a patient that comes into the ED often,

usually after trying to act like a tough guy

and coming out on the losing end of a pair of fists.

Alcohol is also usually involved.

Mr. Tough Guy messed with the wrong

pair of fists and received several stab wounds

as a reminder that there's some people

you shouldn't mess with no matter how drunk you are.

He got the "homey drop-off" at the entrance

to the lobby of the ED.

As he staggered across the room leaving a trail of red

that quickly caught the attention of the triage nurse,

she rushed out and met him 

escorting him straight back to the trauma room.

Her first impulse was to call out to the passel of people

waiting to be seen for their coughs, sore throats, or

knee pains that had been going on for the last 4 years

and say, "Now, THIS, is an emergency...!"

And the kind of patient that makes up for all the others that show
up on any given day....