I do not recall Nurse's Day ever being quite like this... (General Medical Happenings)
added by geena on July 30, 2003 at 12:20 PM
I know it's been awhile since I've posted. Sorry - was back home in the midwest last week.
My hospital has installed a Linear Accelerator. I'm sure it does all sorts of things, because it cost about $1.5million. (I won't tell you how much the vault it is encased in costs) I also know that what it does has something to do with zapping cancer with the utmost accuracy.
The administrators and radiology departments have been pretty excited about getting this thing. It's finally finished, and yesterday when I went into work, there was a huge white tent taking up half the doctor's parking lot. Not connecting the two at the time, I wondered as I walked into work what the white tent could be for.
I needn't have wondered for long, however. As I approached it, I could see that there was a big banner which said, "The Hospital Welcomes The Linear Accelerator" or something just as goofy. [It got its' own banner!] Later, the operator announced over the intercom that a reception was being held outside under the big white tent to celebrate the Linear Accelerator. [It got its' own reception!] I walked out about an hour later with a coworker and found tables catered with hot hors d'oeuvres and "pretty food." [It got its' own... well, you get the picture.]
My coworker and I got a plate (A see-through plastic plate with a lovely design etched into it. The nicest plastic plate I have ever seen, in fact.), took some food then sort of stood back and watched. Someone dressed in a nice suit was offering tours of the new Linear Accelerator. I decided to go see what the big hubbaloo was about, so followed the nice lady downstairs to the radiology department. We walked into a big vault (which was disguised as a room; in fact, I did not notice the 6+ inch thick door to the vault on the way in; just on the way out) and we got a little presentation. The machine itself is quite impressive and someone behind me actually called it beautiful. After a few minutes, I decided to return to my unit as I had some medications that were due.
Upon exiting outside to go back to CCU, I heard very lovely music when I passed the white tent. Can anyone guess where that lovely music was coming from?
Why, it was coming from the Linear Accelerator's very own harpist, of course.
Progress Notes
I think I understand your feelings, Geena. I work at a major research university undergrowing some serious budget concerns. Our chemistry department recently got some new equipment and the saleman pulled that stunt for our x-ray diffraction setup. Ahh, then benefits of $1,000,000+ in one sale, a nice little $10k+party gets lost in the "service contract" or something equally inane.... just a tiny, little, insignificant item on a very large, long bill telling you about every chip, panel, bolt, and only sometimes the screws.
added by Jared on August 2, 2003 5:04 AM
Check out the hilarious recall playing cards at www.recallbattle.com. Gray Davis' line is classic.
added by David on September 2, 2003 4:46 PM
Lovely. Gotta love how much money goes into the pomp and circumstance surrounding the big new toys.
added by Da Goddess on September 15, 2003 4:27 AM
So, what brought you to the hospital today?