The Auditing Team

Last week the whole hospital is in total chaos. Everyone were anxious waiting and waiting and waiting for a team that means DISASTER behind the acronym Quality something-something (not sure if I mention the full acronym probably I might get myself in a lot of trouble..hehe). So, our lab has put up some sort of a banner with pictures of the triple threat. BEWARE!! Those people might force you to answer steps to handle a large spillage on the floor. Or maybe where is the emergency exit! Yikes! Just the thought makes me cringe in horror!!

That week all of us diligently memorizing every part of Safety measures in the Safety Manual (eat,sleep and all that nonsense). In the end the only thing I remember is Needle Prick Injury. But I like it, the atmosphere. Feels like Aidil Fitri where everyone goes nuts over everything especially our Unit Head. It was fun! I like it. It's because everyone was in it whether you like it or not. The whole hospital. Even the Forensic Department will not be left alone.

So we wait until Thursday morning. That fateful day. They came.
Armed with lots and lots of papers (just to intimidate..haha) we all shivered. I already planned to hide in the ladies..hehe..However, we were surprised to see there's only one,yes,ONE auditor who'd managed to come. I wonder. But it seems that most of them got lost! Some auditors has already reached the Institute but still couldn't find the lab! I mean the lab was just on the ground floor,why so hard to find? Thank you, Security!

The auditing went well as planned. No idea of the outcome though. Couldn't care less. All that mattered was that all of us, the new MLTs were spared from bombastics questions that I never heard of. Come to think of it, my previous work kind of related to the auditing thingy. But back then our visits were supposed to be a surprise one. However, after the change of regime early last year all of that element of surprise also changed. It seems that most people never like surprises. They might get a heart attack.

Nevertheless, what I really like about auditing is that all of us got our on call pay check on time.

Grumpy 'Old' Man

This is the continuation of the last blog I've posted yesterday (and the answer to my friend's question). So, today is Monday and I have finally decided that I should go to the Physician Clinic (Klinik Pakar Perubatan) to clear my mind.

At first I thought I should give up the plan but I have to just incase. However, thanks to my colleagues and their freaky stories made me change my mind. The one that already show signs of..nevermind..that's confidential. But anyway thanks y'all. Haha..

So to the PC I go and of course I have to embarrass myself asking people where the PC is situated. I know it's at the main building but I have no idea where it is. Hehe..Anyway, I went there with the Form plus my medical report written by the MO and my blood samples. I thought it would be appropriate for my blood samples to be send by the Clinic instead of me sending it myself.

As I was talking to the nurse-in-charge, the specialist (or so I thought..or maybe?) came and started asking me question and such. I was told by the nurse that the doctor is very temperamental at times so I (?) have to be careful. But temperamental or not I was somehow pissed at the doctor for acting like he knew. I'm not blaming anybody in this matter. I was just stating that some medical personnel still sending the ABG/VBG samples with the needle intact. Which is wrong despite such safety measures to avoid needle prick injury already been carried out ages ago. That's all. And I also was not very happy with the use of the word 'CARELESS' used by the doctors who'd consulted me. I don't give a damn if you told me that I'm careless. I was trying to pry the needle cap open to get rid of the water inside the cap so that I won't contaminate the blood gas, you ungrateful ones! And then he preached to me about some people getting defensive,yada,yada,yada. I thought of defending what I have just said but I thought it's better to leave it at that. I'm afraid things will get ugly right then. Boy, was I mad at that time! I guess he'd notice that I was offended by his remark then he told me to let my superior to advice medical personnel to start following the proper safety measures instructed. Yeah,whatever.

Imagine having just met him in 10 minutes really makes me want to sue him. If he ever use the CARELESS word again I think I should send him my lawyer to pay him a visit at the Clinic. Come to think of it I think probably his wife works at the same institute where I work that makes him get all defensive on me. Who knows maybe his wife is that arrogant doctor I met while doing my lunch call two weeks ago? No wonder he was very unhappy with his life. In the end, no blood samples were taken from the patient as MO should ask for it but the MO did not. Nothing happened. I've already checked with the ward itself today. That's another reason why I came to the Clinic. It is because no action were taken after that. Who cares if the child had a UTI? It 's probably low risk but no one knows about her medical background plus I got a needle prick by a contaminated needle for goodness sake! After meeting with the nurse at the Clinic then the blood were to be send to the Main Lab via the Clinic. If there's no action taken after my needle prick injury then what's the purpose of drawing my blood? Just for the sake of it?? Of course they would only do antibody test for Hep B and C but for no purpose at all.

As to when will I know the result? I just have to wait (again) for God knows how long but at least I feel at ease because I already did my part incase anything happen and for the safety measures on needles no idea who will fight for it. Who cares about lab personnel anyway?

Needle Prick Injury..or is it?

Let me tell you that doctors are at their busiest when they are on 3rd call and suddenly out of the blue you had an emergency and you need to see the doctor ASAP. Believe me, it's like waiting for Prince William to marry me.

We were given a small card regarding Needle Prick Injury and immediate actions to take when a needle prick injury occur. I guess if anyone who's wearing the card with his hospital ID, you'll know which hospital we're from. I got that injury while doing an ABG (arterial blood gas) on a patient's sample. I wanted to mix the blood to make sure there's no bubbles inside the syringe so the result will be accurate. Somehow in my attempt to take out the needle cap then, 'Ouch!'. The puncture was not so deep and big since (luckily) I wore two,yes I am paranoid , TWO gloves. If I'm slightly insane I'll wear 5 - 10 gloves to handle samples.

At first I was dumbfounded. I was thinking of washing away the wound entry under running water and just keep it to myself. However, my friend saw me holding my thumb looking at my little wound and of course such case of needle prick injury we ought to report and follow the appropriate measures. So, explains the long wait to see the doctor on call that night.

After waiting for eons, I thought to myself maybe I should just let this go, pretend like nothing happen and go home. But I was scared that if I didn't find out about the child and parents medical history it probably may cause a problem to my health if it's not now maybe in five years to come! I'm not yet married and I wanted is a normal,healthy life! So, there I am waiting for the doctor in Emergency Department and then wait (again) for the ever so busy doctor in Ward 28.

Two hours has passed. Finally she showed up! Apologizing profusely for being late. Nevermind, I said. In cases regarding life you can't effort to be clumsy can you? The process of reporting the incident is waaaayyy to tedious makes me want to throw up. I have to fill in this and that form. I have to take my blood samples to Virology to do HepB+HIV+VDRL tests. And so is the child. How unlucky I am for it to happen AFTER office hour. I was scared because in such case I will have to take courses of antibiotics (excuse my ignorance for not paying attention to the neddle prick seminar..hehe). Which may result in not so nice condition.

I was very anxious for many reasons. Some might blame me for being careless (potato,potata..like they're expert enough handling stuff..XP). I will hate myself of being so stupid. However,experience such as this one somehow makes me love my job even more. I have come to realise 5 months of working in the lab is not enough (of course) and I realise that my knowledge regarding my job and medical as a whole is about 0.0005 percent. How small I felt at that time. Listening to the nurses, the Sister on call and the doctor talking about conditions and such. Makes me wanted to continue my studies after a looooonngggg hiatus after everything is taken care of. Maybe I'll take long distance course since I don't have to let go of my job and my pay check every month. So this experience did makes me proud of what I do and all of medical and non medical staff. Each and everyone of us has our own duty to oblige with open heart and mind. Eventhough the cleaner in our lab! Without her, I think our lab will get a major non compliance in the next audit. I was thinking, if I haven't make a single mistake in my life, how will I learn?

I know, I know..it's such a small puncture..but you know what? Small things might make a big hanky - panky problems later.

Jealous much?

I have promised my friend that I will never publish slandering email from Hatsumomo about me in my blog. If the first time I've read the portion of the chat log another friend had sent me - it really hurt me. Never I thought such hateful words would come out from Little Miss Goody Two Shoes. I thought the issue ends there until she did it again this time via other friend of mine.

I feel somewhat funny thinking she still couldn't come clean with herself. Still couldn't let go of what had long passed. And the issue is still lingering about me complaining about doing clerical job, not suitable for a diploma holder like me, I'm ungrateful brat, I even brag about my unhappiness doing clerical job to her and another two then-collegue of mine who are bunch of DEGREE holders-it hurt them (I thought they have thick heart inside..haha), how Faridah wants to clarify with HR about the salary between the executives (the degree holder and a diploma holders, mind you that I get paid the same amount the degree holders get) and that she's the one who had stopped Faridah from doing so because it might ruin my life, I should mirror myself, I should shut up..yadayadayadayadayada..all that nonsense.

If you ask me how do I feel then when I first read about it? I feel somewhat rejoice? Can I say that? Does that makes me insane? Who cares. Actually I have put that childish, foolish bickering at the back of my mind. It is because I have so many things to think and do. Instead of whinning about what had happened between her and me will eventually makes me a sick person. I have no idea what's she's up to now. Last time it was because I got into the goverment service way before her. And now what? Probably wanting to tell other people that I'm the bitch and always be. I'm arrogant not her. It's all my fault because I'm only a diploma holder (didn't she ever realize that her husband too a diploma holder?) and fate has been very cruel to me not her. And oh, that she's the one whose kind hearted enough not letting anyone to justify about their degree holder salary whatever thingy.

In conclusion, I no longer give a damn about her bitchiness. I no longer feel inferior toward myself and others. I strongly did not believe that Faridah would do such a thing. For as long as I remember, it was her who's always complaining about her salary. But I feel sorry for her psychological disposition toward herself and everyone else. My advice to her : Whenever she wanted some help she could always go to the Psychiatric Clinic at the hospital that she claimed she's currently working. I guess she is indeed eating her words right now. Asking about my whereabouts. In the end, all the hostility I felt while working there has been answered and I was right all this while. But I must give her credit for her act. It really fooled me. As for looking at myself in the mirror, I did and I look gorgeous.

Here's to you, Hatsumomo. Get a life!

Note : This will be the last blog post dedicated to delusional Hatsumomo. It is because the author is too tired to play her childish games. Thank you.

Troubled Soul

I still remember the first time I met my colleague on my first day reporting to the new lab where I now currently working. He looks like a nice, quiet boy. Later I found out that he's got a disciplinary problem. A friend told me that he was not like that when he first started working there. He's always cheerful and tidy too. But then after the Aidil Fitri holiday last year, things goes haywire for him. He never showed up to work. Never informing the office as to why he's on leave. So, he's always TIDAK HADIR (not present) instead of CUTI REHAT (on leave).

They all are indeed worried about his condition. He told them that he's under a spell and he himself trying hard to undo the bad spell. Nevertheless, his condition worsen. He's been barred from doing on calls at night as well as on weekends. Our Scientific Officer keep an eye on him from handling and performing analysis on patient's samples. He's literally in the lab doing nothing but just being there.

One day he came to work looking unusually happy and loud. At that time I was told that he's no longer took the pills and that he has a psychological problem and if he missed his medication the biochemistry compounds in his brain goes topsy-turvy. And then the nightmare begins.

We never thought he's ditching his medication could make all of us in the lab to cringe in fear. Although he is not really going crazy per say but because of his tall, strong build he could turn into defensive mood at any given moment. I did realize that he's too loud and too happy and I didn't really pay any close attention to his behavior at that time. Until last Tuesday. He supposed to come to work on Monday and attend his appointment at the Psychiatric Clinic. Which of course he didn't go to work. At the same time, one of my colleague in on emergency leave for two days.

So, on that fateful day after rummaging through the lab try to find my friend's lost purse. The colleague who's on emergency leave came and told our senior MLT that the guy (psychologically inapt) is having one of his fits at the back of the lab. I didn't dare to go and see what was happening because he might hurt me and the rest of the staff.

It was such a drama. That guy went crazy. He's face and hands full of scratches. No idea where did he go before turning up at the lab. Picking up dirt and soiled tissue papers, twigs and all pieces of garbage and put those in his bag pack. Later, he went into the men's room trying to clean up the toilet. But ended up wrecking the rest room. He also talks nonsense with no comprehension and he dances a lot.

The rest of the staff were scared that he might get all defensive. So our Scientific Officer called our immediate superior to ease the problem. After a few hours, they managed to cool him off and talked him through to go to the Casualty Department and later he's been warded into Psychiatric ward.

Poor guy still in his late 20's. We didn't know the real reason of his delusion. Some says he's a part of Mat Kilau's* generation. After the 6th generation Mat Kilau-like patriotism will resurrect. Some says he's into silat (martial arts) where he didn't finish his lessons. It's all he says,she says. But for all I know, he's the back bone of his family. The breadwinner for his other younger siblings. Both of his parents are already old to support the family. Probably his condition is hereditary. We will not know. But he was lucky because he got another family like us cared for him and support him. We all hope that he will be back to his normal self. However, I think he won't be working in the lab any sooner.

I never thought that his condition will escalate up to that level of psychological disposition. Although he stills remember the rest of us. Although he's not at the point of total delusion. But he will get into that condition without a proper treatment given and worse.

In retrospect, there's one occasion where he talks to me in a tone that still gives me the chills. Plus I was all alone in the pantry having my lunch. I was lucky nothing happened back then. Hopefully nothing bad will happen to me if he's still working in the lab. I pray to God and I pray hard.

Note (*): Mat Kilau - A Pahang-born Malay warrior fighting the British Imperialism in the year of 1874-1946.