A view from the sidelines...

     It was a mostly uneventful day and my partner and I had spent a good majority of it sitting at post waiting to save the people of that particular city from themselves. Thankfully they found their common sense that day and no one had to call 911 or required a mobile intensive care unit. It's nice to get paid to do nothing, but sometimes it can get old and today was one of those days. However, that didn't last too long and we were cleared into our home location to await our next call.
     As I walk through the door of the hospital, I am thinking "this is going to be a pretty cake shift". Then I hear "%$#@" out of one of the rooms where they put their patients that require close observation. This particular 120 lbs pile of ETOH induced crazy was in four point restraints and exercising the first amendment with what I can only describe as loud and colorful language. Then the drunk mess makes a complete 180 and tries to sweet talk the staff. As if they forgot what she did or said 5 seconds ago. Now I have worked in an ER for the better part of a decade, and it actually requires a touch of ADHD to be successful. However, the type of neuro deficit that one would require to forget such expletives would borderline a GCS of 8.
     I mentioned earlier that is person was tied down to protect themselves and those with in the immediate vicinity. We (my partner, the ER staff, and myself) were a bit surprised and/or impressed when the this person stated that they do not want their IV in anymore and that it was going to come out. No one really thought much of it until the odd shuffling sounds started coming from the room. Apparently the hot mess in restraints some how pulled the IV out with their teeth and was almost gloating at the accomplishment. I have to say I was kind of impressed. Bravo Houdini, bravo.
     For those of you that are unfamiliar with the workings of most ERs, such behavior is not tolerated and is dealt with accordingly. It this particular facility it prompted a larger IV, additional sedatives, and unfortunately a longer overall stay in "Hotel de Emergency". Thankfully my shift ended just as that happened and my partner and I did not have to transport ETOH drama queen to a facility that houses and evaluates people that range from suicidal to those that think they are tomatoes. Perhaps tomorrow, but not today. I will be happy knowing that we received some free excitement at the end of the shift.