Yep, I heard that quote in a class I took last summer as part of my new hire training for the ICU. That quote is so true and I have used it with my patients and my patients' families. The quote applies really well, especially since the ad compaign came out about Las Vegas..."What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." I think about that quote quite often.
Why is the ICU like Las Vegas? There are lots of bright flashing lights. The action never stops, even at night. Actually, the action seems to increase at night. Like a Vegas a casino, the ICU is so disorienting and confusing (as a patient and visitor), you can't quite remember how to find the exit door. And lastly, what happens in the ICU stays in the ICU and many times as patient you will come away and not be able to remember your stay at all. However, unlike Vegas, your odds are better in the ICU. You have an approximate 75% chance of living. In Vegas, the odds of winning anything are MUCH lower. I could go on and list even more ways they are similiar, but I think most would agree they would enjoy their stay in Vegas more than a stay in the ICU. I know I'd prefer to be outside and living life almost anywhere versus being sick enough to be in ICU bed.
However, this little story has helped a few patients and their families when they are being confronted with such a severe illness, especially if this is their first hospitalization. Recently I used part of this analogy for a patient to explain how it works in the ICU and not be embarassed by anything in here and not to worry about putting us nurses out for doing things for him. I told him, staying here is like that ad from Vegas, "What happens in the ICU stays in the ICU." It helped him smile and get over the uncomfortable feelings of being sick and needing help to do the basics in life.
That quote sometimes help me smile about the craziness I see in my job. Sometimes, it is a very good thing that the things that happen in the ICU stay there. That being said, I think I am ready for a trip to Vegas. Those indoor gardens at the Bellagio were beautiful.
Why is the ICU like Las Vegas? There are lots of bright flashing lights. The action never stops, even at night. Actually, the action seems to increase at night. Like a Vegas a casino, the ICU is so disorienting and confusing (as a patient and visitor), you can't quite remember how to find the exit door. And lastly, what happens in the ICU stays in the ICU and many times as patient you will come away and not be able to remember your stay at all. However, unlike Vegas, your odds are better in the ICU. You have an approximate 75% chance of living. In Vegas, the odds of winning anything are MUCH lower. I could go on and list even more ways they are similiar, but I think most would agree they would enjoy their stay in Vegas more than a stay in the ICU. I know I'd prefer to be outside and living life almost anywhere versus being sick enough to be in ICU bed.
However, this little story has helped a few patients and their families when they are being confronted with such a severe illness, especially if this is their first hospitalization. Recently I used part of this analogy for a patient to explain how it works in the ICU and not be embarassed by anything in here and not to worry about putting us nurses out for doing things for him. I told him, staying here is like that ad from Vegas, "What happens in the ICU stays in the ICU." It helped him smile and get over the uncomfortable feelings of being sick and needing help to do the basics in life.That quote sometimes help me smile about the craziness I see in my job. Sometimes, it is a very good thing that the things that happen in the ICU stay there. That being said, I think I am ready for a trip to Vegas. Those indoor gardens at the Bellagio were beautiful.
1 comment:
That's so cool. I like that. I hated that expression for vegas but now you've put in such a better light.
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