Missing the Emergency Room

Now most normal people try to stay as far away from the Emergency Room as possible. Not me! I'm drawn to the fast paced action that is present. I really haven't spent that much time in an ER, but I've really enjoyed my time there. When I was a resident I did my research project examining the impact a pharmacist can have in a community hospital ER with a trauma center. I spent about 2 months down there doing and seeing as much as possible. There was some hopes that they would hire an ER pharmacist, but alas they didn't and I moved on to another hospital.

At my new hosptial, which isn't a trauma center, we also had a trial run of pharmacists in the ER, this time doing mostly med reconcilliation. It once again showed a huge cost savings, but the hosptial didn't jump the gun. So working in the ER has just been a pipe dream so far.

Tonight as I was leaving work I found out that we have a helipad! Who knew. And, they were actually dropping off a patient. With 2 trauma centers close by, I was surprised that we had a helipad and that they would bring patients to us. It looked like a cardiac arrest, and we are fully equipped for that, so it makes sense. However it brought back my longing for time in the ER full force. Maybe someday I'll get to work there again.

Also today we were disposing of patient's home medications that they left in the pharmacy and we found a cigarette in with one of the meds. Note to everyone--do not store your cigarettes in your pill bottles along with your pills! Actually try and limit the cigarettes all together and you may need less pills. ;)