Third Clinic Scheduled
13-October-2004, Wednesday 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Eckerds in Plainedge, NY
As I drove into the parking lot of the shopping center where construction has been ongoing for the last several months I thought maybe the new craft store was finally opening because there were so many people on line. Maybe a grand opening with a complimentary gift? In retrospect, I realize this was my brain's way of protecting me from immediately coming to the conclusion that the line was for VACCINATION.
Because it took another millisecond for me to process the fact that the line began at ECKERDS front door. Actually it began inside the store at ECKERDS pharmacy.
This would have been a good time getting out of the car to leave my lab coat in the back seat. But that actress in the video had her lab coat on at all times and her hair was perfectly coiffed. And after I put my hands though my hair and did the silent scream I looked like I had been standing outside starboard on a very fast cruise. And would someone please tell me why there were patrol cars in the parking lot? As soon as I was spotted I heard the crowd. There she is! With the first box of supplies, my pocketbook and my temperature controlled vaccination pack a circle began to form around me and the questions/comments began commencing in rapid fire: How may vaccines do you have?
"Let her through, she's important!" "Can I just ask you ONE question? Do you think you have enough?" "How many did she say she had?" "Move over and let her through!" "Nobody can go in the IN door! You have to go through the OUT door to get in!"
So as I went in through the OUT door, 4 police officers from the 8th precinct were there to help clear a path and escort me inside. As I neared the pharmacy I was hoping for a comrade, another nurse to do a reality check with. And there was Audrey, from the agency and I was never happier to see another nurse. As I went to retrieve the rest of our supplies the officers asked if I needed an escort to the car. I declined, telling them I'd just wave if I needed any assistance. It looked as though they were needed directly in front of the crowd to maintain law, order and control. I kept wondering about the timeliness in announcing a vaccine shortage when vaccine clinics had just started last week. Was it all about supply and demand? Was it a lot of hype? Was this same scenario playing out in other towns and other sites for vaccination? WHY? I would have to ponder these questions like everyone else. But later. Now we had to start this clinic. Audrey and I were going to do this together, with police presence for the duration of the allotted time. We had a system. We didn't identify the system that evening; there wasn't time. And police presence was part of the equation in this system. I was unaware of that until I reviewed my four clinic experiences.
In all clinics even though organized, we still had to deal with questions as we were doing other tasks relating to work. I would like to give you a flavor if you have not been in the trenches with the nurses for a vaccination program.
Imagine trying to complete required paperwork, draw up vaccine and answer a dozen people less than a foot away from your workspace (smiling is a prerequisite) about proper form applications relating to their needs, who is/isn't a priority for vaccination and maintaining your concentration for clinic standard protocol? Its challenging. It is not impossible for a nurse. Just challenging. You go with the flow. You are aware that seconds and minutes are ticking and time waits for no one, not even in your important vaccination clinic. You ask the police officers to check for line for any patients on portable oxygen and/or in wheelchairs. You know who your priority patients must be. The CDC made quidelines for vaccination after the shortage was announced. But it is not the law. They are guidelines. So do you ask a patient who is 50 years old on line stating an Asthma history to move on along? I didn't. But I did inquire about any current medications to confirm an asthmatic hx. And I realize that is no guarantee either. Almost everyone has access to an internet, thereby an internet search. If you are savvy enough, you can learn anything with a click. But I'm a nurse, not a detective. I'm sure many if not all the nurses participating in the clinics this season came across the same quagmires, namely the ethics guiding us in vaccinating those most in need of vaccination. By the way, who controls the distribution of the current vaccine? And if you're price gouging you have your own date with Karma.
I've digressed. Back to clinic. I only know this. That Audrey and I need to do our best. And I believe we did. Before you look at that number I would like to say thank you.
To the store manager Al, who checked in at all times, to the men from the 8th precinct who stood only steps away as we operated the clinic, and who checked the line and helped us bring in patients on oxygen and wheelchairs, to the pharmacy who once again came through in a pinch with extra syringes for our clinic. You all made it possible to record our best clinic as far as vaccinations in the 4 hour time span.
Many thanks from Susan and Audrey and I'm sure, the Public.
Total Vaccinations: 157
Eckerds in Plainedge, NY
As I drove into the parking lot of the shopping center where construction has been ongoing for the last several months I thought maybe the new craft store was finally opening because there were so many people on line. Maybe a grand opening with a complimentary gift? In retrospect, I realize this was my brain's way of protecting me from immediately coming to the conclusion that the line was for VACCINATION.
Because it took another millisecond for me to process the fact that the line began at ECKERDS front door. Actually it began inside the store at ECKERDS pharmacy.
This would have been a good time getting out of the car to leave my lab coat in the back seat. But that actress in the video had her lab coat on at all times and her hair was perfectly coiffed. And after I put my hands though my hair and did the silent scream I looked like I had been standing outside starboard on a very fast cruise. And would someone please tell me why there were patrol cars in the parking lot? As soon as I was spotted I heard the crowd. There she is! With the first box of supplies, my pocketbook and my temperature controlled vaccination pack a circle began to form around me and the questions/comments began commencing in rapid fire: How may vaccines do you have?
"Let her through, she's important!" "Can I just ask you ONE question? Do you think you have enough?" "How many did she say she had?" "Move over and let her through!" "Nobody can go in the IN door! You have to go through the OUT door to get in!"
So as I went in through the OUT door, 4 police officers from the 8th precinct were there to help clear a path and escort me inside. As I neared the pharmacy I was hoping for a comrade, another nurse to do a reality check with. And there was Audrey, from the agency and I was never happier to see another nurse. As I went to retrieve the rest of our supplies the officers asked if I needed an escort to the car. I declined, telling them I'd just wave if I needed any assistance. It looked as though they were needed directly in front of the crowd to maintain law, order and control. I kept wondering about the timeliness in announcing a vaccine shortage when vaccine clinics had just started last week. Was it all about supply and demand? Was it a lot of hype? Was this same scenario playing out in other towns and other sites for vaccination? WHY? I would have to ponder these questions like everyone else. But later. Now we had to start this clinic. Audrey and I were going to do this together, with police presence for the duration of the allotted time. We had a system. We didn't identify the system that evening; there wasn't time. And police presence was part of the equation in this system. I was unaware of that until I reviewed my four clinic experiences.
In all clinics even though organized, we still had to deal with questions as we were doing other tasks relating to work. I would like to give you a flavor if you have not been in the trenches with the nurses for a vaccination program.
Imagine trying to complete required paperwork, draw up vaccine and answer a dozen people less than a foot away from your workspace (smiling is a prerequisite) about proper form applications relating to their needs, who is/isn't a priority for vaccination and maintaining your concentration for clinic standard protocol? Its challenging. It is not impossible for a nurse. Just challenging. You go with the flow. You are aware that seconds and minutes are ticking and time waits for no one, not even in your important vaccination clinic. You ask the police officers to check for line for any patients on portable oxygen and/or in wheelchairs. You know who your priority patients must be. The CDC made quidelines for vaccination after the shortage was announced. But it is not the law. They are guidelines. So do you ask a patient who is 50 years old on line stating an Asthma history to move on along? I didn't. But I did inquire about any current medications to confirm an asthmatic hx. And I realize that is no guarantee either. Almost everyone has access to an internet, thereby an internet search. If you are savvy enough, you can learn anything with a click. But I'm a nurse, not a detective. I'm sure many if not all the nurses participating in the clinics this season came across the same quagmires, namely the ethics guiding us in vaccinating those most in need of vaccination. By the way, who controls the distribution of the current vaccine? And if you're price gouging you have your own date with Karma.
I've digressed. Back to clinic. I only know this. That Audrey and I need to do our best. And I believe we did. Before you look at that number I would like to say thank you.
To the store manager Al, who checked in at all times, to the men from the 8th precinct who stood only steps away as we operated the clinic, and who checked the line and helped us bring in patients on oxygen and wheelchairs, to the pharmacy who once again came through in a pinch with extra syringes for our clinic. You all made it possible to record our best clinic as far as vaccinations in the 4 hour time span.
Many thanks from Susan and Audrey and I'm sure, the Public.
Total Vaccinations: 157
posted by Emil | 8:00 PM
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