July 2017
In the mid 80s, we were taught about a new concept in labor and delivery. Birthing centers or birthing rooms were all the rage (and still are) in an attempt to provide a more comfortable, natural environment for the delivering Mom and family. The old sterile labor and delivery rooms were dolled up to look like middle class bedrooms or living rooms. Food, music, family and all the accouterments that one would expect in the home village.
And, last week, I took (for the 16th time in my career) my ACLS certification course. In the curriculum, there is now a section on dealing with death. The new concept is a death counseling room that does not look or feel like a sterile, cold clinical exam room should be provided in which the physician can inform the family of the unfortunate demise of their loved one.
So, I have to believe that the concept is valid. When I came back to work, I proposed that we, too, try to put the patient in a comfortable , familiar home-like room for the ED exam and treatment. Like cribs. You know, crack houses. Filthy rooms with trash littering all over the floor, old dirty used instruments and condoms scattered around, in the sink and on the instrument tray. Shit and pee in the corner. Just like home.
Your grumpy Uncle/Brother Dave.
Weary