Pediatric ER

Finishing my month in the pediatric emergency department.

Highlights? Making some very cute kids feel less scared. And helping some scared parents realize that their kids will be okay. Learning to fix a nursemaid's elbow. Doing a lot of lumbar punctures. Taking medical command calls from ambulances. And learning a ton.

Frustrations? Parents who are angry they've had to wait a full hour (!) to see a doctor. ("My doctor's office is faster than this!") Especially for a child who is "feeling sad" -- nothing else. Or a kid who got in a disagreement with their parents over household chores. Or one who had a headache earlier but now feels fine. Or, parents who want a "full diagnosis" but refuse an IV for their child...or x-rays...or any tests at all. Also frustrating? Attendings who ask me at the end of my shift to "just help with a couple more things"...that then take two or more hours to finish.

Scary things? Seizing kids still freak me out. I know what to do...but still...