So Wenikio says "Ridonculus". It's a word that she and I both do not like, but makes both of us laugh. So just say that word out loud. RIDONCULUS.....you want to say it again, don't you? It makes me laugh because it's so dumb and funny. ridonculus. Moving on.....
Patience is a subject that keeps popping in my head. When I think of being patient, a certain amount of peacefulness is included in that, maybe some passiveness too. I wish i was more patient. I wish that i didn't get easily ruffled. I wish I was more patient. Our culture doesn't really lend itself much to patience and waiting. It seems everything is designed to be more efficient and less time wasting. Robots make the coffee at Starbucks so patrons don't have to wait for a really delicious espresso from hand pulled shots (this is assuming that Starbucks actually had really good tasting coffee that could result in a delicious coffee beverage. I choose not to frequent Starbucks, but that's another story.) You can go through the self serve line and check yourself out so you don't have to wait for someone to help you. Internet service is "comcastic", always getting faster and faster and faster so we don't have to wait to read a blog or check email.
So my church added another service to our Modern Worship schedule, now at 11:00. I went for the first time today. Since there is also a traditional service at 11:00, they pipe in the sermon through the magic of something. Um, they do a video feed or something like that. The new 11:00 service is only a few weeks old, and it being my first time, i didn't know what to expect when i came time for the sermon. As we ended the praise time, the video came on and the pastor began to speak. She paused, and then there was no sound, and what seemed to be no feed. People looked around at each other, a couple people began to mumble, and someone laughed. About 10 seconds later an inspirational video started. In a matter of TEN SECONDS, people were already beginning their grumblings. TEN SECONDS. It's just ironic because the video the pastor was including in her sermon was about being busy, and noisiness, and finding rest. How strange that the congregation couldn't rest for ten seconds.
Working in the ED, I want everything done right now (STAT as "they" say). I don't like waiting for labs to result. I don't like waiting for patients to finish their stories*. I want them to get to the point so i can get the things done that need to be done. Patients don't like waiting. Most of the complaints we get are because of wait times**. I'm not good at waiting at work.
But those moments of forced waiting can be little moments of rest. Little breaks throughout the day to take a breather. To reflect, to sit back and have nothing to do. Isn't that nice? I think so. So, when I get to work tonight, I'm going to use waiting to my advantage. Maybe my good attitude about waiting will transfer to my patients. The human element of life can be lost when everything is given to us NOW. The details, quirks, mistakes, sparkles, beauty is lost if we forget about being patient and waiting. HEY, that reminds me of the benefit of waiting for my true love....there is good in that.
*This is not true for every patient. But please know: I have a small amount of time to get maximum details. When i ask about why you're in the ED today, I'm not asking about a conversation you had 17 months ago. I want the cold, hard facts...we'll get to the embellishments later.
**I find that time is a great Triage tool. People that are subjected to long wait times do 1 of 2 things. 1. You endure the wait because you are sick and need to be seen; your complaint may be valid (this excludes squatters looking for a temporary shelter-their complaints are usually bogus and a result of needing a place to sleep). 2. You leave because the wait is "too long". Your complaint is usually non-emergent and can be followed up at your doctor's office.
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