Back at it

Paramedic school reconvened today after a delightful two-week winter break. Although our 176-question exam on December 21 was theoretically the end of the cardiology unit, we were nevertheless welcomed back to class by four more cardiology-related tests. On the plus side, we started Ambulance Operations today, which covers topics as varied as the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System to where to park the ambulance at the scene of a car crash on the highway.

Clinicals have also resumed in earnest. They never really left off, but my thirteen-day holiday in New England made it tough to continue checking off rotations. I have the stroke center, the centralized dispatch center and two more stints in the emergency department coming up in the next two weeks, which should be really interesting. I had actually been scheduled to visit the dispatch center and take an ED shift last month before the break, but I came down with a fever of nearly 103 degrees, so that was the end of that.

On a happier note, Ellen passed her Ph.D. oral qualifying exam today! Her examiners were thoroughly impressed by her level of preparation. I am extremely proud of her, though not at all surprised!

And in other news, the local newspaper has again left me scratching my head. "People who consume moderate amounts of alcohol," wrote one health-section columnist, "have a lower risk of dying than people who don't drink at all." Huh? I may not be a full-blown paramedic yet, but I'm pretty sure everyone dies, and no quantity of libation will make that any less probable . . .