I've been reading these threads for years, and for the most part have managed to translate your american qualifications, medications and abbreviations into australianisms well enough to understand what it is that you're saying.
However, it had just occurred to me that there is one thing that you all talk about that is beyond me..
The pyxis machine.
but it's ok, in my head i've worked out what it looks like and how it works:
it looks like the lovechild of a dalek and C3PO, with lots of shiny chrome and blue lights and has a little drawer that pops out with whatever medication you may require at the touch of a button.
Specializes in Orthopedic, LTC, STR, Med-Surg, Tele.
I forgot to add, it has a touchscreen and a keyboard. I went with my mom through the airport one time and normally she is confused and upset by touchscreens - you name it, Walmart self check out, ATM, self-ticketing kiosks - and I whipped through it in about two seconds. She was amazed. Felt like being at work and pulling the 50th set of Percocet tabs that night. All business. LOL
the hospital I'm doing my clinical at now has this interesting device called a Wallaroo - it is a large cabinet bolted to the wall outside of every patient room...it has a pull down drawer (think of a Murphy Bed) and in it is alcohol wipes, chlor-wipes, IV bag stickers, gauze, tape, pill cups etc...the MAR's are stored there for each patient (hospital has not gone electronic yet) and you can chart your meds and complete the flow sheets and pain assessment sheets...at the top is a locked compartment and all the patients meds (except for narcs, pain meds and abx that are refrigerated) are kept there - so you can dispense meds as needed without having to get into the pyxis...there is a pyxis and Omnicell in the med room for the controlled stuff and saline IV bags etc...
the hospital I'm doing my clinical at now has this interesting device called a Wallaroo - it is a large cabinet bolted to the wall outside of every patient room...it has a pull down drawer (think of a Murphy Bed) and in it is alcohol wipes, chlor-wipes, IV bag stickers, gauze, tape, pill cups etc...the MAR's are stored there for each patient (hospital has not gone electronic yet) and you can chart your meds and complete the flow sheets and pain assessment sheets...at the top is a locked compartment and all the patients meds (except for narcs, pain meds and abx that are refrigerated) are kept there - so you can dispense meds as needed without having to get into the pyxis...there is a pyxis and Omnicell in the med room for the controlled stuff and saline IV bags etc...
That's funny Twinmom, a wallaroo is a cross between a kangaroo and a wallaby.... seriously! That, and the national women's rugby team.
Is the little drawer a bit like a pouch or something? (I don't know what a Murphy bed is).
Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.
Is the little drawer a bit like a pouch or something? (I don't know what a Murphy bed is).
I can't help with the Wallaroo concept, but I can with the Murphy Bed -- click HERE to see examples. It's a bed that folds down from the wall, then flips back up into its cabinet when not needed.
Morainey, BSN, RN
831 Posts
I forgot to add, it has a touchscreen and a keyboard. I went with my mom through the airport one time and normally she is confused and upset by touchscreens - you name it, Walmart self check out, ATM, self-ticketing kiosks - and I whipped through it in about two seconds. She was amazed. Felt like being at work and pulling the 50th set of Percocet tabs that night. All business. LOL