Busy day...

I have been informed, last week, that there is going to be a disaster drill exercise organised by BSP, involving Suri Seri begawan Hospital. The Clinical Support staffs are to mann the Information Center, and for this exercise, it would be located in the surgical ward.

Since the head of the clinical support in SSBH is onleave, to sit for her exam, she has been replaced by our Medical Social Worker. And, she has organised the team into different work/groups. I was in-charge of announcing to the public about the exercise (NO ONE VOLUNTEERED FOR THIS TASK) and also the jotter of info on the great big whiteboard in the the central info center!

We were also informed that this was to be carried out in the morning, this week, on any one day from MOnday to Thursday. Since the last three days had been quiet, we all assume it would be today! Everybody was prepared. We (THe clinical support staff) also had the opportunity to run through our plan, and had a look around the hospital to confirm our roles through out the hospital yesterday afternoon. Thank GOD we did that, because apparently a lot of things are different! and changing! we had to further split ourselves to accomodate everything!

On top of being an information center, we were told that it would also be the place where families would go to, to ask for their loved ones. Occasionally, while waiting for their loved ones to be located, we have to "look" after them... which may include some compasion and psychology and counselling skills.

So, here we were.. ready for things to proceed... and our watches showed 10 am... and still no sign... and hence, we assume the drill was over... then we were informed that BSP has a real FIRE break... he he he... we all went back to our dept to resume work.. half an hour later.. the drill continued... we started late... oh boy... its going to be a long day!

so first, i had to do the announcement... may i add, i did a great job :) the staffs loved my voice... ;) plus it was clear and concise... ;) he he he... 1 point for me...

then... we had our patients... the patients were slow to pour into our accident and emergency... we waited long... and when they arrived.,,, information as not easily attained... our 'people' at the A&E could not get proper info. they kept being given info like player 1, player 2, Dummy 11... BUT familys kept on asking for "amir" or "Joseph"... Its FRUSTRATING!

And then, the hospital staffs failed to get details of the patients.. like NAME, AGE, IC, Address, Contact number and more... its really annoying, since they SHOULD have done it anyways with ANY patients... its PROCEDURE!!!!!

But these are the problems... We managed to get 6 patients from 10:30pm till 1:30 pm. We even managed to keep track of them through out the hospital - which is an achievement. The "actresses" waiting for thier husbands to turn up were good... and one particular lady really gave us a hard time. Since she was unconsolable... I had to invite her to sit... hold her hand and shoulders... and tried to be sympathetic and understanding at the same time reassuring, There were one brief moment where i smiled because i knew i was doing good, she saw, and complained... all my efforts down the drain :P At the end of the drill, she came looking for me specifically... saying i have done great... he he he... another point for me...

But overall... it had been a good exercise... There are obvious areas for improvements, but we know better next time. Considering this is my first drill in BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, I have done BRILLIANTLY!

I rushed to Bandar Seri Begawan soon after the drill is over, as i have a meeting at 2, at Unit Pendidikan Khas (Special Education Unit). I did not want to miss this meeting as i have to represent patients in both Tutong and KB! It would a shame to miss them... They would have no voice... andi have a lot of questions about things they are doing... and support teachers/school is giving my patients particularly!

I have to say i was quite forceful with my ideas... I was clear with my needs and things that are lacking with support in school... I don't think they like it very much.... but such problems need to be addressed...

overall... both the morning and afternoon sessions went well... i have achieved much today :) and felt happy with what i have done... busy busy day :) but very fulfilling.... I felt I have accomplished a lot... I have not felt so vibrant in a long while...