Weighting at Emergency

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Jacquelyn Johnston, M.Ed. Diabesity Coach

I spent a day at the Emergency last week, as my Mom had to be admitted for some leg issues. Ever waited while a loved one was wheeled in and out for treatment? You walk down numerous corridors and meet a lot of medical personnel. Most looked overworked and weary that day, as did the security detail present in all corners of the emergency department.

One other thing I observed: the weight of so many members of the attending professions. Many could have lost 20 pounds. Some could have lost 100. What is happening to the very personnel that’s supposed to be modeling the desirable body weight?

As I stood at my Mom’s curtain I could hear the 250-pound security officer pant. She was leaning against a pillar, just keeping an eye on things, not even walking or escorting someone out. Laboured breathing…now, you all know how the heart and lungs work as a team; well, her heart was protesting the lack of cooperation from the lungs. What would have happened if someone had needed escorting out in a hurry? Or if a drunkard had decided to wander into a cubicle? Would she have had a heart attack? Wonder whether she had diabesity, the lethal combo of diabetes and obesity.

There were a number of patients being moved in and out of the Emergency on stretchers. The nurses have a way of moving people expertly off a stretcher, but what a call on manpower! It takes at least four people and a couple of pulled back muscles to lift a patient off a stretcher and onto a bed; no wonder my nurse friend Carrie tells me many of her colleagues have had to take sick leave on account of back pain. Not good, when we are experiencing a shortage of nurses. My local hospital has had to invest thousands in crane-like hoists to help with the job.

Last night I saw an amazing Japanese robot that could make delicate sushi dishes. Looks like we’ll soon have to invest in robots that scoop 250-pounders off a gurney and onto a bed. That’s unless we get serious about prevention. Know anyone with arthritis? Watch for tomorrow’s blog, and in the meantime, you can enter any comments or questions you want in this one. See you soon.

Jacquelyn

Jacquelyn Johnston M.Ed.
Professional Health Coach and Educator,
Solutions and Support for Optimal Health
Richmond, B.C. Canada