Oh technology, where for art thou?

Where, oh where would we be without our computers and technology.  Back in the dark ages, I suppose.

The computer system for the fetal monitors was out - back on for 5 minutes - out again - lather, rinse, repeat.

All. Day. Long.

All evening.  Then again on nights.

And wouldn't you know it, but the unit was busy as all heck.  Every bed full.  Short staffed.  Well, actually we were fully staffed, but we needed at least 3 or 4 more nurses to make up for the fact that our centralized monitoring was on/off/on/off.  Of course, almost every c-section (of which there were far too many to count) had some kind of complication/hemorrhage.  All uteri were still present and accountable when surgery was complete, thank goodness.  AKA, no c-hysters.  And we got unexpected transfers from other units.  And the laboring women (in active labor no less, no false labor) came in 2x2.

The charge nurse was all frazzled.  I don't blame her.

At one point, there were two people doing charge, but neither could be found.  Taking care of patients, yo.  And the secretary wanted to know where to put the several pregnant ladies who arrived unannounced, that are standing right in front her.  And the phones kept ringing.......

No nurse got to sit down, much less pee or eat.  Some of us (ahem, moi) scarfed down food while multi-tasking with patient care.  Why yes, my mouth is full, can I refill your water pitcher for you?

My automatic BP cuff in one room stopped working.  The wall unit was so outdated that the latex was dry rotted and that didn't work.  Had to find the lone portable vital signs/EKG machine -- of course, it doesn't cross over into the computerized charting, so all vital signs on my client needed to be manually entered.  Did I mention she was sick, sick, sick?  I need to keep a super close eye on her vital signs........hello!  I need equipment that works!!!

Jump back to my laboring woman's room, because I can't view her fetal monitor strip because the system is down again.......fresh epidural.....have to keep a close eye on baby and on mom's BP readings (which need transcribed over by hand.......grrrrrrrrrrrrrr)..........and find that I don't have a pulse oximeter.  The one that is brought to me doesn't fit in the plug/outlet.  Oh technology.......you really, really suck.

Jam the fax machine multiple times trying to fax orders to the pharmacy.  ::sigh::   REALLY!!??

Night shift comes on and has a freak because the system is on the fritz still.  Seriously guys???  You think we didn't try to fix it before you came on?  Oh wait, that's right, we were scrambling around trying to safely take care of all of the patients!!

I was so, so, so grateful to be done by then.

Peace.  out.