The Medical Thread

[KillarneyRose]

Originally Posted by BigRedBeta

You're also working 80 hours a week.

From what my sister told me when she was doing her residency, you actually PUNCH OUT after 80 hours then continue working for another 30 hours or so.

I don't know how you folks do it, but I'm glad you do!

PS Big Red Beta, did you go to Cornell? My sister was a KKG there.

[KillarneyRose]

Originally Posted by copyboi

How healthy is copy machine toner? If you are breathing it in or get it on your skin can it do any damage to you? I am 49 and have been working at Kinko's for 20 years as a copy guy. I am concerned about the possible long term affects.

On another note, why do doctors always get upset if their prescription pads are not all nice and neat when we pad them together at a rush request? Some of you medical people are so damn impatient! I gets me so ANGRY!!

copyboi, you are right to be concerned about the effect of copy machine toner on the human body. Especially after twenty years of exposure. Integumentary contact with toner is fairly harmless unless you lick the exposed area. Inhaling the stuff, though, is a whole other ballgame. Studies conducted at Harvard Medical School have concluded that inhalation of toner fumes over just a 6 month period will, in 99.95% of cases result in severe brain damage with an average IQ loss of 34 points. Also shrinking of the male genitalia will most certainly take place as well as gynemastia, which means your boobies will grow like a girl's. Heaven only knows what's happened to your body over 20 years . I suggest you contact an attorney for possible legal action, though.

As for the script pads...physicians are very, um, anal about their prescription pads being nice and neat and always facing the same way because the CMS (Ceter for Medicare/Medicaid Services) does audits of their offices twice a year and one of the things they look for are orderly prescription pads. Failure to comply can result in a fine and loss of payment for the Medicaid/Medicare patients the patient sees.

Good luck with everything; I hope you lose the boobs and your penis grows!

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by KillarneyRose

Good luck with everything; I hope you lose the boobs and your penis grows!

omg!!! lol lol!! KR, your reply to the troll is hilarious and to end it with this statement is a priceless classic!! lol

[cheerfulgreek]

Has anyone read the article in "NewScientist" magazine about xeno organs? It was just saying that in the near future, a person in need of a heart transplant could be offered a pigs organ. I guess there was a group of people who met in China to talk about certain global guidelines in regards to the first clinical trials of xenotransplants. Is there a short supply of human organs or something, because I can't see how this would be possible. It just seems like they would have to make a lot of genetic changes to prevent the organs from being attacked/rejected as foreign by the immune system. I thought it was a great article though.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

Has anyone read the article in "NewScientist" magazine about xeno organs? It was just saying that in the near future, a person in need of a heart transplant could be offered a pigs organ. I guess there was a group of people who met in China to talk about certain global guidelines in regards to the first clinical trials of xenotransplants. Is there a short supply of human organs or something, because I can't see how this would be possible. It just seems like they would have to make a lot of genetic changes to prevent the organs from being attacked/rejected as foreign by the immune system. I thought it was a great article though.

It's Franken-animals. They have "mostly human genetics" but grow in animals. Ironically, pigs have similar "structures" as humans and one can make transgenic easier from pigs. Also the there is not vertical transfers from infections like there would be with primates--namely monkeypox and other illnesses. Pigs can give something to humans, but I forget what they are...

I have not said anything about the ethics regarding this situation. That is a different question.

And yes, there is a shortage of human organs and that which matches. With the "franken-animals" the heart, etc. can be transgenically cloned in...

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

It's Franken-animals. They have "mostly human genetics" but grow in animals. Ironically, pigs have similar "structures" as humans and one can make transgenic easier from pigs. Also the there is not vertical transfers from infections like there would be with primates--namely monkeypox and other illnesses. Pigs can give something to humans, but I forget what they are...

If you're talking about certain organs that pigs can give to people I would have some concerns, because pigs are known to carry PERVs. I don't think people would be able to keep them dormant like pigs are able to do. Pigs would have to be genetically engineered in order for them to be totally free of the virus. I don't think they're going to actually start with actual organs though. As I can remember, based on what the article was saying, they'll more likely than not, start with insulin cells from the pancreas in order to treat people who are diabetic. I would really like to see something like this happen successfully. I also wonder how many people would be willing to accept an organ from a pig, once this procedure has been perfected.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

If you're talking about certain organs that pigs can give to people I would have some concerns, because pigs are known to carry PERVs. I don't think people would be able to keep them dormant like pigs are able to do. Pigs would have to be genetically engineered in order for them to be totally free of the virus. I don't think they're going to actually start with actual organs though. As I can remember, based on what the article was saying, they'll more likely than not, start with insulin cells from the pancreas in order to treat people who are diabetic. I would really like to see something like this happen successfully. I also wonder how many people would be willing to accept an organ from a pig, once this procedure has been perfected.

I am talking about PERV...

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

Has anyone read the article in "NewScientist" magazine about xeno organs? It was just saying that in the near future, a person in need of a heart transplant could be offered a pigs organ. I guess there was a group of people who met in China to talk about certain global guidelines in regards to the first clinical trials of xenotransplants. Is there a short supply of human organs or something, because I can't see how this would be possible. It just seems like they would have to make a lot of genetic changes to prevent the organs from being attacked/rejected as foreign by the immune system. I thought it was a great article though.

This isn't an out-there concept. You know that we already implant pig valves into people who need new heart valves. When you get a new valve, there are three options, cadaveric, pig or mechanical. Patients do not go on anti-rejection drugs with pig valves because our immune system accepts pig parts fairly well.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

This isn't an out-there concept. You know that we already implant pig valves into people who need new heart valves. When you get a new valve, there are three options, cadaveric, pig or mechanical. Patients do not go on anti-rejection drugs with pig valves because our immune system accepts pig parts fairly well.

Thanks for that AOP Angel. This was all new to me until I read the article.

[BigRedBeta]

Originally Posted by KillarneyRose

From what my sister told me when she was doing her residency, you actually PUNCH OUT after 80 hours then continue working for another 30 hours or so.

I don't know how you folks do it, but I'm glad you do!

PS Big Red Beta, did you go to Cornell? My sister was a KKG there.

No I went to a much more football-centric school about 1200 miles west of Ithaca that also happens to use the nickname "Big Red".

As far as the 80 hours thing...they are much, much more stringent about it now...huge no-no for programs. And I'm doing peds so the risk of going over the work hour limits is much less.