Filed by HoneyBadger Relief Dialysis Correspondent
Otto has day off.
This means HoneyBadger has come to dialysis with Michael today. HoneyBadger usually stays at home with Andrew while Otto does dialysis duty, but bears need days off too.
HoneyBadger don’t care for occasional trip to dialysis.
There are interesting things to observe.
Today, there is particularly interesting thing.
The patient alarm bells have become confused.
When Michael presses Michael bell, the alarm tells nurses that the patient in the room opposite has pressed patient opposite bell.
When patient opposite presses patient opposite bell, alarm tells nurse that Michael has pressed Michael bell.
HoneyBadger has considered this system carefully.
HoneyBadger really don’t care for it.
The nurses hear the alarm and quite properly go to the room the system tells them to go to. Except that nobody in that room called them. The person who actually pressed the bell is across the corridor.
This has produced confusion.
Nurse enters room.
Patient looks puzzled.
Nurse looks puzzled.
Other patient is waiting.
Eventually everyone works out what has happened.
HoneyBadger observes.
There is something funny about it when everyone knows the problem.
Michael bell means other patient. Other patient bell means Michael.
But call bells are there for occasions when things might not be funny.
People can become unwell during dialysis. Blood pressure can fall. Lines can cause trouble. A patient may feel faint or suddenly need help. If somebody presses a call bell, nurses need to know which patient is actually calling.
This is apparently a new problem. Bells did not always work like this.
HoneyBadger therefore concludes that something has become crossed somewhere.
HoneyBadger don’t care for mysteries.
HoneyBadger really don’t care for safety systems that send nurse to wrong patient.
Hopeful somebody will fix it.
Until then, HoneyBadger shall remain on duty beside Michael and keep watch.
Otto will require full report when HoneyBadger gets home.
HoneyBadger
Relief Dialysis Correspondent
Currently covering Otto’s shift
PS. Michael has apparently written poem about this. HoneyBadger has been doing actual investigative journalism.