BACK TO LIVING

Chapter One The phones seemed to be ringing off the hook in the Lab at Good Samaritan Medical Center in downtown Milwaukee.   Deirdra Scott, a med tech in the Hematology department was just passing through the office to deliver some reports when she noticed that all the secretaries were already taking calls and still there were calls to be answered.  "I've got it!" she called as she went to the next available phone in the department next door.   "Laboratory, Dee Scott, how may I help you?"  "Hi, Dee……it's JoAnne in ER.  We've got a big order for you, you'd better send two phlebotomists down.  We've got five patients that all need to be drawn at the same time." Dee laughed, thinking that JoAnne was kidding.  JoAnne was a middle-aged unit clerk in the ER and had worked there for probably 20 years.  She was one of the friendliest employees the hospital had with a great sense of humor.  She was perfectly suited for the ER where a sense of humor was a prerequisite in dealing with many of the patients who came through the door. "Right, JoAnne……all at the same time???" "I know, I know.  But Dr. Endrizzi insists.  It's a possible carbon monoxide poisoining and they want the blood drawn before they put them on oxygen." "I'm not a doctor, but wouldn't it be smarter to just put them on oxygen right away?" "Something about liability with some bus company or something.  I don't know.  But let me give you a word of warning, don't send any of your teenybopper phlebos down." "What?" Dee was perplexed by this request! "Don't make me explain.  Just get Anna and Helen to come down.  Whatever you do, don't send Lisa or Kristy!  Uh oh, Dr. Endrizzi is on the warpath, better get down here quick!" "Okay…..we'll send someone right away." "Thanks, Dee." Dee went back to the office and looked around.  There were no phlebotomists to be seen..  "Where are Anna and Helen?" Dee asked  Barb, the head secretary. "One went up to Labor and Delivery and the other went to the CCU." "Any other phlebos around?" "Nope…….it's been crazy this morning, they're all out on draws." "Shoot…….okay, thanks." Dee went back to Hematology and found her friend Melanie just sitting down at the microscope to do some differentials.  "Don't get comfortable.  We've gotta go down to the ER and draw some blood, " Dee said, while she grabbed her blood drawing tray. "How come?"  "No phlebos around and Dr. Endrizzi has five patients he needs carbon monoxide levels drawn before they start oxygen." "Why doesn't he just give then oxygen……." "I know, I know……..come on, let's go." ************************************************************************* Chapter Two Home