My Strong Medicine

The adventures of a male nurse navigating through life, staying fit, surviving the journey.

Archive for July, 2009

Let's Talk About It

Posted by Sean on July 31, 2009

So the ‘Beer Summit’ came and went. It was a proposed meeting to help squelch any misunderstanding and disheartening feelings between not only the parties involved, but everyone else who had been reading about the incident.

” the conversation centered on moving forward, not reliving the events”

“Crowley described himself and Gates as “two gentlemen who agreed to disagree” about the confrontation that led to Gates’ arrest.”

The concept of the ‘Beer Summit’ is a great one. In fact it’s something we human beings have been doing for years- Not necessarily finding fault, but simply agreeing to disagree and MOVE ON.

I’m curious. Why did it take the foul up of the President to create this ‘public’ meeting. Something that we respectable human beings do quite often?

Why the over-done press?

What was so significant about this incident that it was deemed so important?

I mean we went so far as to give the incident its own name - The Beer Summit.

This type of arrangement is nothing new folks. What was so different?

Better yet… why did the Beer Summit take precedence in the media over that little thing called a War?

Somewhere, somehow, some way, the ‘people’ of America got their priorities mixed up?

So, the next time we have another incident like this? Will their be another casual meeting at the White House?? I hope the President’s schedule is clear. It could get crowded.

Gates arrest a delicate matter to hash out over beer – Los Angeles Times.

Posted in opinion | Tagged: | 8 Comments »

Practice What You Preach – King Tut!

Posted by Sean on July 30, 2009

writerpen

"What’s that word?" …

"No, not that word… THAT word." …

"Look like twice? Err… maybe toast?"

Does this scenario sound familiar to anyone? “Dr. Cursive” just wrote an order and it’s your job to interpret the results note the orders.

By noting the orders you’re verifying their presence, following all policies and procedures, doesn’t violate any laws, not contraindicated for that particular patient, follows the 7 rights of medication administration, etc, etc.

The problem is. You’re not exactly sure what you’re reading. (It’s English right? )

You did take the ‘hieroglyphics’ class in school didn’t you?

We are taught that if it’s illegible, or there is a question regarding the order, we are to call the physician to clarify. (Yeah.. that goes over like a lead balloon)

Here’s the problem.

We nurses love to point the finger and rat out ‘that physician’. In some hospital systems the physician get a 2 strike warning. After the second notice, if they have not improved their hand writing skills, they are required to attend a formal class on hand writing etiquette! (No I did not make that up)

What about our fellow nurses who do the same thing? Ever follow a nurse after change of shift and try and review their narrative note… And realize that we nurses create our own type of hand writing communication in the form of broken-words, run-off one syllable sounds, and abbreviations that JCAHO would have a heart attack reading.

It’s funny, and if you’ve experienced this I know your chuckling inside. Hell, I’m one of the hieroglyphic-guilty charting fools. My handwriting is atrocious. Even I have a difficult time reading my own hand writing.

It’s also not funny. It’s a down right serious problem. The potential for error and questionable practice is literally smacking you in the face.

Patient safety walks shoulder to shoulder with patient advocacy, and if we don’t chart properly and legibly we put our patients at risk.

I wrote this blog to give myself a wake up call.

Chart legibly. Even if the doctors don’t.

Posted in health | Tagged: | 16 Comments »

Darwin Was SO Right.

Posted by Sean on July 30, 2009

And we wonder why respect is so hard to come by sometimes.

Posted in random | Leave a Comment »

Two Weeks…

Posted by Sean on July 29, 2009

I CANNOT wait to put my feet in the sand.
 
I’m beginning to smell the ocean….

Posted in random | 5 Comments »

The Sign of Our Times…

Posted by Sean on July 29, 2009

A 98-inch Plasma TV mounted into the ceiling of one’s bedroom? Really?
Am I the only one who finds this just a tad wrong?

Posted in random | Leave a Comment »

Is The Economy Really Getting That Bad?

Posted by Sean on July 29, 2009

OK OK… tad bit of humor here.

Seems that a so-called housewarming party turned into something more. A home in Georgia was found to conducting an illegal strip club in the basement and garage of a woman’s home?

Is it really that bad out there?

Woman accused of running strip club in basement – Yahoo! News.

Posted in humor, random | Leave a Comment »

Don’t Take Life Too Seriously

Posted by Sean on July 28, 2009

image  Image Source:deviantART

Because none of are getting out of it alive.

Am I saying that life is one big joke, not to be taken seriously? No.

What I’m saying is life is as serious as it gets. We only get one chance. One shot. One time around. As serious as life can be, we waste it’s value by being caught up.

We all live our lives believing we are wearing an invisible bullet proof vest. That our life ‘doesn’t apply’ to all those harmful, horrible and devastating effects we call the human condition.

We get up, dress up, and show up for life everyday thinking that there will always be a tomorrow. Some of us do it subconsciously, while some do it on purpose. We get so caught up in the ‘race’ that we forget we are running. We forget that there is an end, and we expect to just keep on going.

The reality is – life is fleeting. Life is precious. Life is short.

Reality has a powerful way of reminding us just how fragile life is every day. Why does it take a tragedy or a loss to remind us?

Regret is a painful emotion. Don’t regret.

Step away from the race. Take the time to enjoy just running. Cherish those who are part of your race. Value those who are racing against you.

The only thing to take seriously is being lucky enough to be a part of the race. That wonderful race called life.

Carpe Diem

Posted in words of wisdom | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

Is Obesity an Economical Problem?

Posted by Sean on July 28, 2009

celebrity-pictures-jabba-the-hutt-glandular-problem

Lately the ‘economy’ and President Obama’s reform on healthcare is all the ‘buzz’. I wonder….

Obese Americans Spend Far More on Health Care – NYTimes.com

If the majority of Americans and those who are affected by the current healthcare reform cared as much about their own personal health (and obesity) as much as they care about this new ‘Obama-care’ plan…

Would the economy even be in this situation?

Things that make you go hmmm…

Posted in random | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Does EVERYONE Deserve a Second Chance?

Posted by Sean on July 27, 2009

NFL commissioner conditionally reinstates Vick – Yahoo! News.

So, he’s ‘conditionally’ returning? He’s now allowed to participate in practices, and if things keep moving forward he’ll be playing as early as October (this season).

I honestly can’t believe it’s been just shy of 2 years since the conviction and initial suspension.

I have some mixed emotions and feelings about his ‘return-to-play’. I believe we all deserve a second chance, but I’m having a real hard time forgiving him.

I mean, he didn’t murder anyone? But he did contribute to the mutilation and death of several dogs.

Are his actions so heinous that he should be banned from playing professional football permanently?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one.

Carpe Diem

http://friendfeed.com/bethenextstep/00787bc6/do-you-think-michael-vick-should-be-allowed-to?embed=1

Posted in opinion, random | 14 Comments »

Must Resist

Posted by Sean on July 27, 2009

I do not need it. I do not need it. Those darn twizzlers look quite appetizing. The problem is… I can’t eat just one!

Posted in random | 6 Comments »

 
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