Inappropriate ER Behaviour...WTF?!?!?!?

Ander has not been feeling well since Monday. I called the doctor - he was completely booked and suggested the After-hours Pediatric Clinic. Got an appointment for 7:40 PM. The nice doctor determined Anderson had a serious ear infection. Then upon further examination the doctor started to use the terms "toxic", "unresponsive", "not typical or appropriate reaction", "alarming", "extremely high heart rate", "laboured breathing", "low oxygen stats".... he then gravely told me that my little Pander-Bear, as a best case scenario, may have pneumonia or some sort of infection, and that we should head straight to the children's hospital. He even inquired if we wanted to go by ambulance.


With all the dire medical terms colliding in my head, we rushed right over to CHEO.


I think half the population of Ottawa was in the CHEO waiting room! Standing room only.


I will never bad mouth the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. If you frequent The Fringe, you probably read about how this hospital preformed life-saving surgery on my son DJ. And you have read about the wonderful care and attention we have gotten at this hospital. I also wrote about how this wonderful hpospital took the time to really explain my son DJ's rare condition. You have also probably read how even before Madigan was born we knew she would need surgery and medical intervention form this wonderful hospital. You may have shed a tear when you read about my friend Donna and her son's time at CHEO. And if you have been around in the last week, you read how much I do every year to help raise money for this amazing hospital.


You will NEVER hear me speak poorly the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.


But everything else, and everyone else we encountered in the ER is fair game.


Firstly, I understand many people are having trouble finding a doctor in Canada. It is a well-documented issue. But people, please, why bring your child to the ER, at night, because he or she has had the sniffles for over a week now? WTF?!?!?! Go to a walk in clinic if you have a deadly fear of the common summer flu/cold.


Further, if non-emergencies were removed from the equation then the wait time would be dramatically shorter.


Secondly, if one child is sick, why bring the whole "fam damliy" to the ER? I can understand it if you had no other option - but the frigging number of families there last night was unbelievable. One family consisted of mom, dad, child with a sizable goose egg on their forehead, 3 cranky siblings and a grandmother. WTF?!?!?! HELLO PEOPLE...one parent escort child to hospital and the others stay home. Easier on EVERYONE...


Further, if your 4 year old will not sleep because their head hurts and you have no idea if they fell in the recent past, then why would you and your hubby bring your 2 month old baby to a hospital. GERMS people...why bring a healthy baby into a germ infested hospital? WTF?!?!?! Unnecessary risk!


Thirdly, if your child is out of control and running around and smacking into other people and screaming at the top of his lungs - take him out in the hall, or even outside. Other families would greatly appreciate it. In particular, that little sweetheart of a gal who split open her lip and wants to cuddle in Daddy's arms and not have YOUR son running into her and making dinky-cars drive up her arm. On top of that, your hyper, loud, child probably did not need the chocolate milk, cookies and chocolate bar you fed him in a span of 5 minutes. Especially since you were using the ER to get a blood test done instead of going to the clinc during the day. WTF?!?!?! You may also want to read point number two. Your mother and sister's rude, loud and critique of the wait time were uncalled for...most people in the waiting room have work or school in the morning... not just you!



Fourthly, there are job search engines out there. If you want to get all your work experience and accomplishments broadcasted, please visit http://www.monster.ca/ or http://www.jobshopottawa.com/. An ER chance meeting with a superior is not a job interview. I for one, do not wish to hear you go on and on about your last 10 years in the Federal Government. For the record, Revenue Canada is a huge department - The "Do you know so-in-so" game followed by a huge long plug on how you worked with that person is not called for... WTF?!?!?! There is a time and a place for obnoxious name dropping, project-accrediting and the ER room is not one of them. No. Seriously. I do not care who you know and what you have done in the last 10 years. But I must say, you did try hard to close the deal with a fake chuckle and " Well, we should exchange cards, I would love the opportunity to review my CV with you - I really think policy management is where I want to go with my career".

The fifth point I would like to make is that bottled water and juice sold in the ER room should not force you to take out a second mortgage. $2.50 for a little bottle of water? WTF?!?!?! And if a nurse recommends keeping your son hydrated with lots of water - please have a paper cup so that Mom can use the water fountain.

Finally, the winner of the "Most Inappropriate ER Behaviour" award goes to the automated parking lot attendant. Yep! I know, you are thinking WTF?!?!?!. But the big metal box, with the squeaking, irritating female voice wins hand down...or is that parking stub down.

"You owe T-H-I-R-R-R-R-teen dollars. If you have any coins, please insert them into the coin slot. "

cling cling cling

"Thank you. Please come again."

WTF?!?!?! WTF?!?!?! WTF?!?!?!

Please come again to the ER. As in "hope to see you back soon...in ER". WTF?!?!?! Listen, the last thing I want to do, or my child wants to do, after waiting 2.5 hours to get registered, 2 hours to be called to, well, wait in another room, and another 1.5 hours to see a doctor, is think (or plan) on coming back to ER.

OK. Rant over.

As an update, my little Pander-Bear was so good last night. He made Mommy very proud with his bravery. He is now on antibiotics to clear up a nasty ear infection and the doctor (Dr. McCutie for sure) is pretty sure he has a case of pneumonia. Any healthy, get-well vibes you can send would be appreciated!