Short entry

There can never be too many acronyms in medicine. Acroyms are short, effective and sometime catchy. They are not meant to be jargon for public. But merely a creation to help doctors saves time by not saying the what could be a mouthful medical condition, such as S.A.R.S (severe acute respiratory syndrome). In other words, we're all bunch of malas people.

So in a typical 3am busy Sunday morning dealing with crisis in a resus room in A&E (...see my point) would be something like this...

Case 1:

"Hello Dr Mamat, this Makcik Julia was a LOL who came in DOA had history of BOOP with COPD complained of SOB since 1/52 ago, now our differentials apart from the obvious would be a PE, certainly wasn't in ARDS or an ACS".


Now wouldn't that save the poor doctor a 4.92 seconds (multiply by 20 patients say in a graveyard shift (graveyard shift eh.. how ironic!).

Anyhow, I suppose acronyms wouldn't make so much difference in saving time. Perhaps it is really design to confuse the public after all... especially lawyers if they happen to check our mortality records. Ehem.

Case 2:

"Oh btw Nurse Danielle, this SOB is an active IVDU has a VSD with a severe IE. Chart the antibiotic STAT"

***

LOL = little old lady

DOA = dead on arrival

BOOP = bronchiolitis obliterans organising pneumonia

COPD = chronic obstructive airway disease

SOB = shortness of breath / son of a banker

1/52 = 1 week ago

PE = pulmonary embolism

ARDS = acute respiratory distress syndrome

ACS = acute coronary syndrome

IVDU = intravenous (illegal) drug user

VSD = ventricular septal defect / very short dick

IE = Infective endocarditis