Bastille Day 2009

The last day of orientation. The last 2 days have been challenging. I am discovering how the American Health Care system is driven. Yesterday I was told that my BCLS and ACLS were not recognized because they are not American Heart Foundation accredited. Apparently the International Resuscitation council just isn't good enough. Anyway I will have to do both the courses again.

I watched the end of Sicko on TV the other night. It said that the American Health Care system is ranked 35 in the world. Which basically means almost all of Europe and Australia are ahead of it. Cuba has lower infant mortality rates than America. I was asked during one of the orientation classes if there was any country where a person could walk into an emergency dept and NOT be treated. America, if you cannot afford it you are sent to another hospital.

Anyway, to cut a long story short I have been fairly depressed over the last few days as everything I learned in Australia is criticized. Also ER here is about to be introduced to using urinary dip sticks to do urinalysis. I had the in-service and I will be accredited soon. I hope I do well as I have so little experience with this equipment.

Also, Saudi Arabia has a very high incidence of Diabetes. The new BGL machine does not take ketones. Diabetic emergency is greater than 26mmols, as most of the diabetic population run at 15mmols and are considered stable. So many things I have to 'learn', Heimlich manoeuvre, dip stick urinalysis, BLS, ACLS, not taking bloods at time of cannulation, taking 2 lots of blood cultures without sterile technique in case one set gets contaminated, and spending enough time on documentation, even at the risk of lessoning Pt care. So much to learn. My biggest fear here now is de-skilling rather than learning more. An upside. The hospital will pay to send me to Riyadh for the PALS course.

Also as this is Bastille Day and the last day of orientation I intend to wear my French Football Zidane shirt on the outing this afternoon.

Well it is now the afternoon and the orientation classes have officially finished. Only the trip to the heritage village as a reward/entertainment @ 1500. I will take my camera and finally get a few photos. Hopefully some of the orientation group. The last couple of lessons were good. They covered aseptic technique, so I was able to get a quick look at dressing packs. But more importantly it covered drawing up insulin. The nurses still mix the different types of insulin according to the physician's orders. Something I haven't done for some years in Australia.

Tonight John, Penny and I are off to Tamimi Safeway. It is apparently the best supermarket for variety. It is on the Kornaish which is also by the sea and a bit nicer. I have a few photos for the blog which I shall load today. Also I shall check my emails.