Reply #36: One of my fellow attendings [View All]

Still closes the morning report with "Be Careful out there"

Which actually makes sense, not only for being careful with our patients lives, but with our own (as was the sense in HSB) since an anesthesiologist or surgeon in a trauma hospital actually has more chance of ending up dying from a work-related cause than does a cop.

Think 'viral diseases', and the fact that in most trauma centers between 10-40% of those with penetrating trauma have one (Hep B,C or HIV). Also think of driving to the hospital to respond to an emergency: I have had two friends killed that way an anesthesiologist a long time ago (Ice covered mountain road, rushing in for 'emergency' C-Sxn), and recently a neurosurgeon (rear ended by a drunk at 0130 whilst going to the hospital to do a crani on another drunk).

When a life is in balance, 'universal precautions' go out the window - even for the DBDD shot 8 or 9 times when he stepped on someone's toes.

Have to get to work, from the traffic map I see there are already 6 'major' accidents. Can hardly wait.