Having reached near the end of my ninth
decade I have, upon occasion, used the services of the hospital
Emergency Department.
This time, I fell down some concrete stairs
onto a concrete floor making a three and a half-point landing
on my head, knee, hand and rib.
Because I was bleeding profusely, a friend
suggested I go to the Emergency Department and get fixed
up.
Being a man, I didn't really see the need but
this smart woman said "use what remains of your head."
So I arrived at St. Joseph's Health Centre at
1:30 pm Friday. The triage sign said "waiting time, 15
minutes."
So 15 minutes later, I entered the system
with a mixed group of about 10 other patients of various ages
and gender.
Frankly the attitude, ambience, efficiency,
effectiveness and calmness of such a mixed group was
striking.
The sequence of activities for me was
obvious; check for concussion, stop bleeding, X-ray hand and
rib.
Each of these activities had to be fitted in
with the availability of nurses and doctors and the needs of
each of the patients, which was done very well.
My most debilitating injury was my right hand
which, though no bones were broken, was hugely swollen, sore
and unusable.
I suggested to the doctor that I try a deep
penetrating analgesic to alleviate the pain. He told me to try
soaking my hand in very cold water for a
substantial period of time. This I did and
within two days of such treatment, I was able to use my
computer to some degree.
The wait in ER did not seem long as there was
always something going on, and wisely, I had brought a book
with me which caused me to fall asleep several times. Total
elapsed time was about six hours and the satisfaction level was
very high.
As I left I was told, "if anything appears to
be worsening in the next five to seven days come back or see
your family doctor".
Outside of a very colourful set of facial
bruises and a bit of a limp, I am in good order.
James Grassby
Sudbury