Two things:
1. The List
2. Unit clerks
The First and Great Commandment of Internship: keep the list updated. Common things told to any intern at my hospital:
"Take this person off the list."
"Have you printed me a new list?"
"Add this patient to the list."
"Why did you put this on the list?"
"Ummm... I lost my list." (medical student)
"It's time to run the list."
As for unit clerks, never underestimate the power they hold over your daily routine. They control all facets of your life. They control what (if any) orders get carried out.They control when you get to the OR. It's up to them to call you about new consults, which happens usually at shift change. (I can count on my pager blowing up at 5pm and midnight, every night).
Because of this power, they dictate when (or if) I'll get to eat, if I get any sleep on call, if I'll even get out of the hospital on time. Think you're safe when you're at home? Ummm, no. They'll call or page you whenever they need something, because when they need something, it's always urgent. And if you don't jump when they snap their fingers, you will get "written up". Beware the wrath of the unit clerk.
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Damon--you hit this one right on the head. The list and the HUC's can be your friend or your demise. I dread coming back to the call room at 3:30 am, feeling like I've had my hair on fire working on the floors, and relieved to lay down, when I remember that the last 1000 things I just did need to be added to the list; and by the time I finish updating the list, my pager goes off. The HUC's in our hospital are very nice and love the resident's, but they just seem incompetent...just roll with the punches.
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