No Safe Haven

I was thinking about workplace violence again last night

as I dealt with what seemed like my 10th irrational patient of the night

 with their unrealistic expectations about their perceived complaint

which they had been seen for in the past

and for which they had yet to follow any

of the recommendations we had given.

As they trounced out the door, calling back over their shoulder

how much the hospital sucked, the staff sucked, and how

I had treated them so badly, thoughts of going out the door

at the end of my shift to find my car vandalized,

tires flat, windows broken, or even worse

to be faced with a verbal confrontation outside of the hospital

began to fill my head.

There's a reason I don't go shopping at the local grocery store.

But, even those random thoughts that I've had from time to time

couldn't prepare me for the news headlines when I awoke

later this morning:

Doctor Seriously Injured, Suspect Dead in Brigham Shooting

The Brigham in Boston.

I spent a glorious year training in the care of 

critical cardiac surgery patients.

I was a junior fellow, and I came to find out that

my senior fellow from that time was shot today.

Another example of healthcare workplace violence.

And it scares me.

It scares me to think that healthcare workers get

yelled at

menaced

assaulted

and shot

because someone didn't like the outcome, 

or the treatment plan;

whether their own or a family members.

And, that those of us who dedicate our lives to helping

and healing others might become victims because

of something that is sometimes completely out of our hands.

My prayers are with my colleague and their family.

And, my prayers are for the staff at the Brigham

who have to continue to work

despite this tragedy

which hit a lot too close to home

this morning.

**Updated at 1900 PST.  I was just informed by one of the RNs

that Mike died from his injuries.  My heart is heavy with the

news and full of sadness for his family.

#538 - M is for Mass Casualty Incident

My training is in Emergency Medicine.

My subspecialty is EMS (Emergency Medical Services.)

My interests are in Mass Casualty Incidents

and Disaster Medicine.

Days like today are what we train for.

One of my colleagues from residency was at the race today.

She also was in my subspecialty group,

and her interest is in mass gathering medical services.

I don't know if you realize that when you have a sporting event

you have to have x amount of emergency medical services per x amount of people.

The more people, the more extensive the list of 

emergency medical personnel you have to have on hand.

She was working the medical tent at the race.

Usually she deals with sports-related injuries.

Today turned out to be a little different.

When you watch the video of the explosion,

and you start to see people running away,

pay close attention to those who run toward the danger,

those who started pulling down the barriers even as the second bomb exploded,

who immediately went into Mass Casualty Mode 

and started helping.

That's EMS.

That's my friend,

who ran back to help start up triage

to help the injured.

This is what we train for,

and she did what I would have done/would do

in the same situation.

I loved Boston the year I lived there training at BWH.

We watched the marathon from the Common as the first racers came into view

the year I lived there on one of my random days off.

I pray for those affected by this incident.