Gasping and cyanotic, a little dog is rushed into the hospital and you ask for it to be placed on oxygen. A moment later, an obtunded cat with a rock hard bladder is in your hands. You understand the problem, but before you can write an order, a dog that was hit by a car is on the table in front of you. His gums are pink, but his front limb is bent at an impossible angle. A tap on your shoulder draws your attention to a bright young Labrador with an ear inflated like a triangular balloon.
You are only one doctor and in the span of five minutes you have multiple emergency patients needing your help. Your team is waiting for your orders, eager to help, but needing your directions. As you try to organize your thoughts, your concentration is shattered as a receptionist announces over-head, they need a gurney up front stat.
That scenario may sound like a scene from a TV medical drama; a much more action packed version of the classic veterinary stories, pumped up for the modern audiences' demand for adrenaline. Unfortunately, five patients coming in quick succession is common in a busy emergency practice; and just as common, it is cited a major cause for compassion fatigue and burn out. It begs the questions: "When you are the only doctor, or when your staff is overwhelmed, what options for managing patient load do you have?"
