Weekly update 16/3/2025
I feel like I am repeating myself again but welcome to another cold raining Sunday ! The weather in the greater Pretoria area has officially become coastal. I have lived in Pretoria for the last 15 years and I cant remember a time when there was this much rain and for so long ?
So I think perhaps as a addition to the weekly update I should now be including a weather report? As one can see it looks like the clothes washing will need to be hung over the dining room chairs for the foreseeable future… Please be careful when going to see premeds as pools of water have been reported and no ones cars come with built-in skis so slow down… yes, I’m talking to you ladies with a heavy foot !
Monday
Today we celebrate an amazing woman, a true anaesthetist and a genuinely good person. Drum roll please!
Dr Morosi, DA(Sa), FCA 2 and THE TOP MARK in the University of Pretoria circuit!
I first knew Dr Morosi as a senior registrar who largely kept to herself and just got the job done. However, don’t be fooled beneath this calm exterior is a firehouse of an anaesthetist. She has since moved into a consultant role and managing the dreaded leave roster which isn’t for the faint hearted. Anyone who has booked leave or taking sick leave better know those forms better be in ASAP or else ! This is just a testament to her thoroughness in both her own academics and daily tasks. We are so glad that she has decided to stay and teach us in her informative morning meetings and just knowing she is the consultant on a floor gives us the relief and confidence to attempt more challenging cases! We congratulate you, we celebrate you and we most importantly look forward to working with you !
Tuesday
It seems like this is the week of celebrating people ! This Saturday is Dr Van der Walt birthday ! Happy birthday for Saturday Anke and I hope you have a spectacular day from all of us in the anaesthetic department !
Wednesday
Dad joke Wednesday
- Why don’t skeletons fight each other?
They don’t have the guts. - Why did the scarecrow win an award?
Because he was outstanding in his field! - I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high.
She looked surprised. - What do you call fake spaghetti?
An impasta! - Parallel lines have so much in common.
It’s a shame they’ll never meet.
Hope that gave you a good laugh!
Thursday
NOTICE !
Just a friendly reminder to please document your working hours as per the discussion at the family meeting. Remember the difference between your call hours, day hours and PC days. If you have no idea what I'm talking about please consult any of the class reps or prof directly as this is important and must be standardised within the department.
NOTICE !
Informed consent and what is it? Just a brief reminder
Informed consent in medicine is the process by which a patient voluntarily agrees to a medical treatment or procedure after being fully informed about the risks, benefits, alternatives, and potential consequences of the treatment.
It is a fundamental principle of medical ethics and a legal requirement in many countries.
The key components of informed consent typically include:
- Disclosure of Information: The healthcare provider must explain the nature of the treatment, procedure, or intervention in a way that the patient can understand. This includes the risks, benefits, potential complications, and the likelihood of success.
- Comprehension: The patient must fully understand the information provided. This may involve using clear language, addressing any questions, and ensuring that the patient is not under undue stress or pressure when making the decision.
- Voluntariness: The patient must make the decision to proceed with or refuse the treatment freely, without coercion, manipulation, or undue influence.
- Capacity: The patient must have the mental capacity to understand the information and make an informed decision. If the patient is unable to make decisions due to age, mental illness, or disability, a legally authorized representative (such as a parent, guardian, or power of attorney) may provide consent on their behalf.
- Consent: After receiving all the necessary information, the patient must give their consent—either verbally or in writing—to proceed with the proposed treatment or procedure. The patient has the right to withdraw consent at any time, even after it has been given.
Informed consent is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process. It ensures that patients are active participants in their healthcare decisions and protects their autonomy and rights in the medical context. It also helps build trust between patients and healthcare providers
Lets continue to ensure that consent is valid and not done in theatre !!
Friday
Last Friday we did a work shop on airway management which was hosted by Dr Kalipa, Prof Spijkerman, Dr Mlabateki and Dr Siyaka. The fibre optic practice machine was put to good use and was fun to see how everyone navigated the various pathologies. Some managed a score of 1% which was honourable as a first time attempt ! What was clear is that we all need some practice ! Prof keeps the machine under lock and key but is always available if someone wants to practice. Please use it.
Our equipment is under threat from old age and from poor use practices within the department… Guys the department doesn’t have money for new shiny things so please lets look after our stuff. Dr Kalipa gave us a good lesson on how to clean a fibre optic scope so lets make her proud ! Also, peruse the emergency airway trolley. There really are things in there that I had never heard of and who knows it might be life saving.
Lastly,
Enjoy the public holiday, to those that are working I hope its a decent one
Until next time
