02 February 2010
Sonal's Web Diary
A rather belated Happy New Year to all. Hope 2010 is going well for everyone so far and with comes another semester back at University.
My first module of the year is Accident & Emergency and Critical Care. So far I have completed one week of working in the Northern General Hospital Accident & emergency department and have really enjoyed it. What is unique about this rotation is the instead of just coming in the day we are doing proper shifts as a junior doctor would be expected to do. There are 3 different sets of shifts; 7am-4pm, 4pm-12am & 10pm-7am. We do these shifts during both the weekday and the weekend and thus get to see a variety of people come in and the difference can be seen in types of people as well.
What I enjoy about A&E so far is that it is very hands on and there is a lot of practical work to be done. Most patients coming in need some bloods taking, a cannula inserted and occasionally an ABG (arterial blood gas) or an ECG. Before this rotation I had never done an ABG before and last night was my second and successful attempt. It may sound like a simple procedure, but as with everything in medicine it is about practice, technique and building ones confidence up.
As A&E is usually the first point of contact, especially at night when the GPs are closed, swift decisions need to be made there and then. Patients come in with all sorts of pain (abdominal pain, chest pain), fractures, broken bones, strokes, alcohol related injury, accidental or intentional overdoses and the list goes on.
I look forward to seeing what comes through the door tonight and seeing what new skills and knowledge I can acquire along the way.