Saudi Arabia

Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 01/07/2009 @ 1645 hrs local time. (20 past a blur jet-lag time). I was last off the plane as I had to fill out the customs card. But never fear I was 3rd through customs. I was met before customs by the meet/greet National Guard Soldier who escorted me to the front of the line and directly to a customs desk to some uncomfortable looks from the other 400 passengers. But it did save some time and he was a fairly polite person and after having my photo taken and all my fingers and thumbs scanned for security reasons, I was through. My bags took ages but with my escort the only bag opened was my clarinet…..no sir it does not fit together to make a gun….no honestly it doesn't. He believed me, and I was off to a mini bus and whisked slowly (on a Saudi scale) away into the sand and dust. 45 mins along flat highways past sand of varying shapes and sizes. Yes I believe by the end of this experience I will know several words for sand, like Norwegians have several words for snow. But for now yellow is the word de jour.

I did recognize the hospital from pictures and Google Earth. I was dropped off at the back at Building 306 in the corner next to the security wall and the well armed, camouflaged tank. I was allocated a single room on the top floor next door to another Australian nurse from Melbourne. John was a life saver this morning as I was left with a food parcel and instructions to be at the housing office @ 0900 on Saturday morning. The food parcel was good but Beef Noodles would not be one of my top 500 choices for a first meal in Saudi Arabia. Off to the supermarket, past the security to explain why I am going from the Bachelor building to the female building. My limited Arabic does not stretch to "No sir I am not trying to get a quickie I am hungry for food and nothing else". Success, food, water, bananas and coffee. . And back to my room.

I made a faux pas when I thought the décor suggested the accommodation was built in the 50s I learned the building was built in 2002, so Retro is the word de jour for today. Beige tiled bathroom with powder blue trim. Mission brown furniture with brass ornate handles and a chunky turned timber coat rack, for the many jackets I am sure I shall need. But I am on the top floor with a view over the desert and the entrance to the emergency bay. Also, I have a clear view of the Minaret for the mosque so I shall always know when the prayers are going. The room is a good size for a single person. I do however have a little less bench space in the kitchen than what I became use to in Macquarie. But you know me and small kitchens….I am sure I will get use to it.

John is a life saver, when I was left last night there was not a sole about and I was lucky a doctor was able to ring the housing after houses for me. This morning some of the Filipino guys down stairs got John to introduce himself. He came out with Promesse 3 weeks ago. He lives next door and took me around the hospital briefly showing me the coffee shop, staff cafeteria, and told me a few survival things like shopping, dealing with the guards and what shopping centres to visit.

Well this has been a long entry and as internet is not easy to access I will write blogs on my laptop and load them when I get a chance. Keep the messages coming Hope everyone is well.

Dammam National Guard Hospital 06/07/09

Well the beat goes on. This is perhaps not such an interesting blog for non nursing types but a brief virtual tour without photos. Such is the nature of a military base.

Emergency Room

6 acute, 2 resus, 1 plaster/procedure bay 2 exam rooms (GP type services).

5000 Pts per month. Empty bed available 95% of time. And I have discovered the secret. The maximum stay is 2 hours. The Pt is either transferred to higher service, ICU etc, transferred to referral centre Neuro, Burns etc, transferred to OT other ward, or sent home. The culture is about NOT staying in ED. Patients want answers and action and the system copes. It does of course help that the service is only for National Guard persons and their family, unless you arrive with your cheque book. They get about the same ratio of Cat 1 - 5 as Calvary, but have not got the bed block problem.

The wards are divided in Male and Female. Each ward has medical and surgical beds. There is also Labour suites, Neonatal ICU, Paediatrics and Infection control ward for all MRSA, VRE, TB, etc so these Pt do not spread through hospital and all staff in these areas are fully equipped for barrier nursing.

There is a 24/24 cafeteria with meals starting @ AUS 2 (salads, dessert) to AUS 5 for hot mains. Also a la carte after hours for same prices. It also has takeaway. It is almost cheaper to never eat at home. The hospital has a commercial coffee shop open from 8am - 10pm with delivery to all wards except Infection control. They do close for prayer time, 5/day. But most everything closes for prayer. But the overall opening hours of everything compensates.

Male nurse will rarely nurse a female Pt or a child. Therefore the hospital has a cut off of 10% male nursing staff. The paperwork is a nightmare and there is a form for everything. Even an emergency transfer requires a form and 'En Shala' (God willing) will protect the patient while this happens. Everything is the American system so the checks and balances are extensive. As long as the obs are written and there is a tick in the box all is well. Even if those obs have shown a deterioration for the last 2 hours.

An Australian colleague describes it as. "The crash cart is checked and well stocked but nothing is signed", Australian Nurse. "The crash cart is stocked with out of date stuff and three things are missing, but the book is signed and all ticks are in all boxes" - American Nurse.

Anyway I am still finding my feet and I am sure things will change. Hope everyone @ Calvary is well. Hope all the new babies are happy and healthy. Keep in touch.