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Getting cheap thrills at the staff meeting DR GOTT Like everyone else doctors have to blow off steam once in a while Ideal ly this should occur in the presence of an understanding and captive other What better gath ering for this purpose than hospital medical staff meetings To the casual unsophisticated ob server these meetings are supposed to be a forum for getting things done voting on important issues being brought up to date about the latest crisis in health care and generally carrying out the business of running a hospital To the jaded and knowledge able professional however staff meetings serve only one true goal to provide a means for disgruntled prac to vent their spleens Take for example the recent staff meetmgat our community hospital It was a classic The staff took a long and desultory look at inconsequen tial topics the credentials of four new doctors who were applying for hospital privileges the establishment of an ethics committee a report on physician recruitment a review of the state inspectors turns an amendment to the bylaws and difficult problems regarding a disagreement between the anesthesi ologists and the department of surgery As the meeting droned on I thought I could detect a faint emotional pulse a delicate subjective tremor The pa tient was alive We had yet to deal with the Issue of the Day Finally the chief of staff cleared his throat and quietly stated that the board of trustees had elected to ban smoking in the hospital although to bacco consumption had been prohibit ed months ago in most areas of the hospital the new ban threatened to lift the blue haze in the cafeteria in certain hideaways reserved for nurses and in the surgeons dress room Like miniature ICBMs in the pro cess of arming for launch the doctors straightened up in their chairs One surgeons face turned red as the liq oxygen in his booster rocket ignit ed At last I sensed the real reason for the staff meeting It wasnt to learn about the hospitals bottom line to pass judgment on prospective staff members or even to resolve the thorny political issues of modern medical practice it was quite ply to allow some harmless free play for those healers who because of per sonal frustrations or the alignment of the planets chose to have tantrums I wont bore you with the brilliant sophistry and finagling that followed It was enough to please a Southern senator But I will say the scene was deliriously spiced with hurt feelings empty threats cajoling and righteous indignation against the zealotry of the majority in short as veritable a panorama of human emo tions as could be played out on a real live sound stage Psychologists term this behavior ventilating After the heated exchange every one felt much better The staff voted overwhelmingly to accept the boards recommendation We passed unevent fully from Red Alert to Stage Pre paredness armed and ready for the next threat The dropped their noses and retreated back into their si los Once again I was gratified to see how controlled violence can be thera peutic Because our last staff meeting occurred several months ago Id al most forgotten how important these little gettogethers could be to the mental health of my underpaid over stressed and unappreciated colleagues Safe Pickles Black crusty spots on inside of lids of canned pickles are corroded areas the pickles are safe to eat Elegant Catenae for all occasions What makes a wedding elegant Let the Kentnefs trained consultants assist you with selections for your entire reception choose one or alt of our services mix and match ac cording to your needs Social Catering Lid 62 Mill Street Georgetown 8730404 8466639 Heat Wedding Invitations Wedding Announcements Matching Accessories SAVE 10 If you mention this Ad SHOP AT HOME Take our catalogue home and view at your leisure j OFFICE SUPPLIES A SERVICES SI 877 2282 Hwy 7 Delrex Georgetown OSBORNDCOR I I I 0 1 1 III We have a complete selection of dresses lor the bride bridesmaids and mother s of the bride and groom To complete your look we of fer an extensive selection of bridal headpieces floral hair combs hats and dyeable shoes For A Morn ire Call An Anpnititment 411 1 MAIN ST S Downtown Georgetown 8731470 Brides to Be Come in And See We have the largest selection of Wedding Supplies and offer you a Discount on all your needs ACCENT on PURPLE for FALL from the BELL to the GARTER REGISTER NOW for your preferred Bride Card The Paper Factory 355 Mam St Milton 8782339 30 OFF Zwiesel Stem Ware Lead Crystal From Germany