I did hear some encouraging news! Friday I was riding around with Dr Johnson (6280) and he had attended a meeting of the Orleans Parish Medical Society that Juliette had organized. She had arranged for the CEO's of all the local hospitals to meet there. What was remarkable - it was the first time the hospital CEO's had ever met with each other! I guess in the world of corporate selfishness, it isn't cool to confer with one another.
Anyway, Juliette had a stack of paperwork that she distributed to each CEO detailing how many minutes their facilities had kept our units Code 77. One interesting fact was that the CEO's didn't even know that we had a situation like Code 77! I suppose the ED staffs never reported any of this information in an effort to make themselves look good.
But here's the kicker: Juliette's report detailed the Code 77's from January through March, and the total cumulative minutes of Code 77 in those 90 days was 30 days! All those 30, 60, 90 and so on minutes of Code 77 added up to an entire month that a unit was kept out of service by the hospitals!
The CEO's were stunned. They said they don't want to miss out on one patient coming in to their facility. They're busy scrimping and saving trying to minimize staff and maximize profits. But their effort to save money are misdirected. Imagine how much money is wasted on dumb advertisements ("Is it love, or a heart attack?") when they could be proactive in solving our problems and getting more of their own profits by building bigger facilities, staffing empty wards, and having in-house training programs for new R.N.'s, techs, lab workers, etc.
According to Dr. Johnson, there were some suggestions to bring in new technology to help solve some of this problem. How that works out remains to be seen, but you have to hand it to Juliette for bringing this to the shocked attention of the hospital mucky-mucks, opening the doors of their ivory towers and exposing them to the real world, our world.
15 comments:
Hey great news indeed, now the question is how genuine the CEO's were about truely not knowing and wanting this nasty situation to change. A change is needed in deed. Your numbers sean were some what frightening seeing in ink.
yeah, i'm kind of wondering about this supposed ignorance of the situation myself. i think juliette should be applauded for attempting to rectify the problem, but we have to wait and see if the bigwigs will work with us on this. 30 days is an incredible number. somebody call WDSU, we need 6 On Our Side!!
I don't know what ever possessed Jullette or Mark to want to come into a place that needed so much work. I guess that they both were up for a challenge.....and a challenge, my friends is what they got. There have been a lot of positive changes that have taken place, and I know that there are lots more to come. Sure, some of us are resistant to change, but you cannot please all of the people all of the time. Not to say that Dawne and Red didn't do their fair share of ass-bustin'. I have heard from many different people that Dawne and Red brought NOHD up from what it was...nothing....to what it is....a service that people, like me, are honored to be a part of. I can only hope that things continue to improve like they have been, and maybe the day will even come when we won't have to worry about where we will get out next pair of gloves!
Melinda...you are soooo blind. I agree that there are a few good changes that have taken place, but the majority of them have been just subtle enough to make thisgs just like Acadian. I think that i order for you to have made such an ignorant statement just solidifies my theory that not only you but most of the people who have been here for less than 3 years would not be here now with the people that worked here back then. Just my 2 cents...I think that a lot of eyes need to be opened. I think that they can accomplish their goals in making this service the "best in the world," but it is going to takea lot more than just changing the little shit to make be believe it.
So, Mr or Mrs Anonymous, why is it that my point of view is so ignorant?? I am just trying to have a positive outlook on the whole situation, and trying not to be super stressed over it. I have news for you..... if this place is going to turned into Acadian, it will be turned into Acadian, no matter what I say, no matter what you say, or what any of the other medics say. I, probably more than anybody, do not want to work for Acadian, so by no means am I "pulling" for them to take us over. I am just a positive person who doesn't want myself, or my co-workers, to be so stressed out about something that we have no control over. As far as your comment about me not being here for more than 3 years..... why does a positive attitude, and trying to see the bright side of things, and try not to stress over everything make me a person who would not have made it with the people who have been here longer???? Maybe I misunderstood what you were trying to say, but to me, it sounded like I wouldn't have been accepted here "back then" because I try to keep an open mind for new ideas, and improvements, no matter how big or small. I beg to differ, my friend. I know that I would have done just fine.
You wouldn't have made it "back then" just for that reason. I can promise you that...I know what it was like, ask around...you'll see. You either earned respect...or you were made soooo miserable that you left to avoid working with those individuals. They taught us how to be Paramedics...not to do a job and furthermore....I think that people need to read between the lines so to speak. I am all for making things better around here, but I think that there are a lot better ways to do them; and think that they should worry about changing the small stuff and worry about the big shit. I want to make a statement (not just directed at you) but your comment about you knowing that "I would have done just fine," shows some degree of confidence, but let me tell you and the others with this heightened degree of confidence. THAT IS LETHAL!!!!!!! You shouldn't sound so confident!
FYI, I have asked around. I know what it was like "back then" not because I was actually a part of this place yet, but because I had friends here before I ever came here. And let me tell you, I was scared shitless to come to the BIG NOHD because all I ever worked for were private services. I was one of those medics who looked up to, and admired the people who worked here, because I DID here how it was; I heard that you had to be tough to make it here, and not only that, but you had to learn how to work with nothing. So here I was, coming from a little private service, where we actually had supplies and handled a few emergency calls, to a place like HD. That alone took a lot of balls and confidence, which by the way, I USED to lack before a few good paramedics taught me that I do know what I am doing, and that I should quit second guessing myself, and be more confident, which I have done. You obviously had never had the chance to work with me, to see just what type of person, and what type of paramedic I am. And that's not me being cocky. That's just me speaking the truth. I take the time to talk to my patients. I go the extra mile that a lot of people would never even think about going. I am compassionate, not only to the people, but also about my career. And yes, I think of this as my career, not as just a "job", so your little comment about being taught to be a paramedic, and not being taught to do a job doesn't even apply to me. And as far as you saying that having too much confidence is lethal..... I agree..... only if you don't have what it takes to back that confidence up. But guess what??? That's right; I DO HAVE WHAT IT TAKES. So try not to knock me before you really even know me, anonymous. And if you'd like to get to know me, quit trying to hide your identity. Let me know who you are, and we can sit down one day and talk.
First of all...I am not hiding from you or anyone else... for some reason my login password is not recognized and I can't figure out why and it will not let me apply another one. I realize that there is no point in entertaining this argument anymore because talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words...but I can tell you this......if I do get the chance to work with you again...bring a lunch....we'll see how confident you are and how much you really do know.
Arguement???? Such a harsh word! Whatever happened to having a regular discussion?! I'm sure we will get the chance to work together again one day, sir, and I won't be so nervous from being brand spankin new here, and I won't be intimidated by someone who has been a paramedic way longer than me and because of years of experience, has a different knowledge base than me. I learn new things every day, and I want to continue to learn, just as you do. I don't know everything there is to know in this EMS world, but nobody does. Its only natural that someone with YEARS of experience is going to know more. I always look to more seasoned medics, such as yourself for new (or not so new) ideas and ways to improve practical applications, but that doesn't mean that I am not confident with myself or my skills. It just means that I have a genuine thirst for knowledge.
let me see, my name is John no well Cindy no Luther no Mary well heck none are going through. Darn that's so strange, no one will know who I am. LOL HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Will the real anonymous please stand up!?
Interesting very interesting We are all waiting to see I guess.
He doesn't have to stand up... we all already know who he is. No big deal... its all good! Ya can't sweat the small shit....there are too many other things to be concerned about, like why is it that the jazz fest medical go carts only go 2mph when all of the other go carts that I saw other employees driving around in throw up a sandstorm in your eyes from going so fast??!!!
The other carts aren't hauling around two big ol' EMT's laden with a monitor, suction, spineboard, jump bag and assorted other junk. Besides, how fast do you really want to go?
Fast I mean real fast, no even faster than that if that is already pretty darn fast, then maybe a little faster still.
It all depends on the situation. Sometimes faster is better, sometimes slow is just right, but what really matters is that it lasts all night!!!!hahaha
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