Code Black
“Code Black” in Cubicle 23.
The doctor stood impassively before the wildly agitated “speeding” patient. She was ranting and gesticulating aggressively, with eyes wide and teeth flashing. Unsurprisingly, words alone did nothing to calm her down.
The doctor, in a matter-of-fact tone, told her that if she didn’t cooperate she would be sedated against her will – for her safety, the safety of the staff, and the safety of the other patients in the Emergency Department. This ultimatum escalated her amphetamine-fueled malbehaviour.
Instantly, six security guards magically materialized and swiftly swept her onto her bed. The doctor quickly gained IV access and administered a soothing dose of midazolam…
As she drifted off to sleep she said:
“...you wouldn’t treat me like this if I was John Howard…“
Chris is an Intensivist and ECMO specialist at The Alfred ICU, where he is Deputy Director (Education). He is a Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University, the Lead for the Clinician Educator Incubator programme, and a CICM First Part Examiner.
He is an internationally recognised Clinician Educator with a passion for helping clinicians learn and for improving the clinical performance of individuals and collectives. He was one of the founders of the FOAM movement (Free Open-Access Medical education) has been recognised for his contributions to education with awards from ANZICS, ANZAHPE, and ACEM.
His one great achievement is being the father of three amazing children.
On Bluesky, he is @precordialthump.bsky.social and on the site that Elon has screwed up, he is @precordialthump.
| INTENSIVE | RAGE | Resuscitology | SMACC