than people in other parts of the country. My people pronounce
some words with extra syllables, and we have a lot of sayings like,
"Bless your heart." I wish I spoke Spanish. I'm trying. Most of my co-
workers are bilingual. I admire that. As soon as sarcasm is universal-
ly recognized as a language, I, too, will be bilingual.
The tissue-tracker software is letting me document implants in its
quantity control system. I'm doing the happy dance, and for the
moment not calling it names under my breath that would shame even
a person of ill repute.
Beloved pre-op nurses are putting sequential devices on all our
patients, so I'm not forced to go and hunt a pair down. For reasons
beyond my comprehension, the shelves that house these little dickens
are always empty.
The patient about to have an abdominal procedure has had the
operative area clipped before going to the OR. Thank you again pre-op
nurses for handling the "de-hairing." Some patients look like they're
wearing a sweater under their gowns — the prep dry time on their
hair would take longer than the procedure. We're not supposed to use
a razor anymore for fear of nicking the skin, but have you seen what
type of damage clippers can do in some nurses' hands?
I've gotten into the habit of wearing eye protection. Sometimes I
even forget that I have it on. A few years ago, I witnessed an unfor-
tunate circulator getting bodily fluids shot into her eye from across
the room. Since I brought up the subject, why would a trauma sur-
geon not wear eye protection? I'm just asking, don't have a cat fit
over the question.
I no longer let it bother me that patients behind threadbare curtains
who hear all are considered within HIPPA guidelines. I just have to let
it go.
Those of us who work in surgery have unique personalities.
Behind Closed Doors
BD
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