Author: Ronald Smith

We meet all kinds of people in the ER. Some have OMG types of backstories that are almost hard to believe. This one guy didn’t need to say anything. He occasionally ends up in the ER with the same problem. He literally stabs himself in the belly when he gets so drunk and wasted. One… Continue reading Steak Knives and Syringes

Mother and daughter came in to the lab from some lab work. Not knowing what they needed at the time, I greeted them promptly and told them to have a seat. As they handed me their lab order on paper, I was surprised to find that both the mom and the daughter needed to do… Continue reading Family Matters

When the COVID19 pandemic started, the whole world put their heads together and came up with various ways to prevent the spread of this virus. The scientific community spearheaded the game, and along came the not-so-scientific community who came up with ridiculous ideas that seems to lack common sense. This is one of them. I… Continue reading Nose Only Mask

An elderly gentleman came in to have his blood drawn. No problem. However, doctor also ordered some urine tests and he said he just went before coming in to the lab. He asked where the water station is so he can have a couple glasses of water which might help him pee sooner. I guided… Continue reading You’re Out Of Water

At the hospital where I used to work, patients wait for us at the waiting area to have their blood drawn. As soon as their turn is up, we call them by their first name only or at times their "preferred name" to try to keep it as private as possible. My next patient's name… Continue reading She’s Got Enough

Working in a small town has its perks, until you start hearing stories about yourself that makes you say, OMG really? News travel fast, especially when it boards the Gossip Express! I’m not much of a gossiper myself, but I’ve overheard my fair share of hot gossips around town. One time, I was drawing blood… Continue reading Small Town Gossip

Normally when a patient were to ask what container can be used to put a stool sample in, we would just say any clean container will do as long as it can be closed shut. An older lady called and asked what she can collect her stool in. We told her that it doesn't have… Continue reading Jar of Poop

I have to draw blood from an 8 year old kid who was obviously very scared of needles. Both his mom and dad have to hold him down because he is determined to not get poked. He was thrashing around until dad finally had a nice grip on his arm. “Here’s my chance!” I said… Continue reading Kick to the Groin

I used to worked at this hospital where the nurses draw blood from their ICU patients. One day, we received a blood sample collected in a blue top tube. The test was for a PT/INR. I promptly spun down the sample and ran it. It took a while to run and finally an error came… Continue reading Excess Tap Water

I used to work at this hospital where the ER beds are right next to each other, separated by a mere curtain. To keep things "private", the curtain is drawn so at the very least the patients won't be able to see each other, but unfortunately, you can still hear some of the ongoing conversation,… Continue reading Baby Food Storage