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BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
records systems, and more are planning to do so. But no matter how
much gets computerized, you just know we'll still need pens for all
the double-charting, triple-charting and extra labeling we'll always
have to do. I like a particular type of pen, and there are always 3 in
my pocket. There's power in 3s, and I believe in having a pair and a
spare of anything. And I'll chase down anyone who borrows one and
absent-mindedly walks off with it.
• Other comforts. Some things you just feel better having on hand. One
of my friends swears by cloth hats. If she is forced to wear a disposable
bouffant, she says, every case she does will go down the tubes. She also
must have chewing gum. For each procedure, she chews half a piece of
gum behind her mask. When the case is over, she spits it out. New case
begins, another half-piece of gum.
Another friend says she has to hear a certain song at the beginning of
the first case of every day. She walks into the room and turns on that
song, and it seems like nothing can go wrong. Me, I just need a clock
by my bed that is always 30 minutes fast to maintain that kind of illusion. Back-to-school isn't a year-round feeling, but every day is another
opportunity to do whatever it takes to get the job done, and perhaps
score the extra credit this time. OSM
Ms. Watkins can be reached at pwatkins12@comcast.net.
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | O C T O B E R 2012
