Day 26 - Warning Labels

Most people know that they shouldn't drink and drive...

but they do.

Most people should know that they shouldn't use 

certain prescribed medications and drive...

but they do.

And we see the aftermath all the time in the

Emergency Department.

Or, I should say, all that remains from the aftermath;

because those that die immediately in that

rollover,

head on collision,

auto versus pedestrian,

or other accident

never make it to the ED.

We hear about them later in the news,

from family that come to the ED looking for their loved ones,

from the police officer, sheriff's officer, CHP officer, paramedic

or worse when they survive the accident, 

but then are pronounced in the ED because they are

too broken to be fixed.

But the DUI offender...?

They're rarely injured seriously.

There's a saying that there's a god that protects

drunks and small children, 

and never is that more truly realized than in the ED.

Sorry your ankle hurts "really bad,"

but that combination of methamphetamines and norcos

which caused you to cross the center line

should hold you over while you're being processed in jail

for the deaths of those grandparents who were just

traveling to see family.

I know your head hurts.

Bummer that the alcohol you used to wash down

the benzos you have for anxiety can't help that.

I'm sure the family of the child I'm flying out to a trauma center

understand that you needed to "just run out for some cigarettes."

I'm sure they're thinking of several ways to help you

stop smoking... permanently.

The nurses and I realize you think you need your

next dose of pain medications early for your broken wrist

by the endless pushing of the call button with your

good wrist which is, by the way, handcuffed to the bed,

but we're a little busy over here trying

to keep the teen you hit on their bicycle alive

because they've now got more tubes in them than a

1950's television, and the bleeding isn't stopping.

Would you like to make a donation?

Oh, no, sorry, the blood alcohol level is a little

too high, and the cocaine surge probably would be a bad thing.

Yes, back/tooth/arm/leg/stomach/neck pain can be very bad.

Here's your prescriptions for ibuprofen and norco.

Make sure you read the warning label, don't use alcohol

and don't drive or use heavy machinery...

any questions?