I didn't post yesterday because I had no energy to lift my fingers to type. Talking with some other Mayo peeps today, we all agree that this is the best type of exhaustion we've ever had. We have fun all day with everyone at the clinic, but seeing 400 patients in a day is overwhelming.
Yesterday a RN from New Orleans gave us a tour of New Orleans East, the lower and upper 9th ward and the French Quarter. There are parts of the 9th ward that are simply frozen in time. It's just astonishing. One house that we saw had a dresser on the roof with clothes hanging out of the drawers. There are still piles of waste that are all over the neighborhoods waiting for a FEMA pick-up. Then you got out to the French Quarter, and it was business as usual. The two places are within a couple miles of each other and there couldn't be more of a contrast. I learned from our guide that in the state of Louisiana, they are on the "charity bed" system, which means hospitals are allowed to refuse care, but are also required to offer a certain number of "charity beds". So if the charity beds are full, they can refuse care. Now for the kicker, right now with only three hospitals being open in New Orleans proper, there are 13 charity beds available. We have it so good in MN. This state is going to have to take an honest look at their healthcare system and their school system. It's just sad.
Tomorrow's forecast, 10% chance of rain, high of 48 degrees.
Yesterday a RN from New Orleans gave us a tour of New Orleans East, the lower and upper 9th ward and the French Quarter. There are parts of the 9th ward that are simply frozen in time. It's just astonishing. One house that we saw had a dresser on the roof with clothes hanging out of the drawers. There are still piles of waste that are all over the neighborhoods waiting for a FEMA pick-up. Then you got out to the French Quarter, and it was business as usual. The two places are within a couple miles of each other and there couldn't be more of a contrast. I learned from our guide that in the state of Louisiana, they are on the "charity bed" system, which means hospitals are allowed to refuse care, but are also required to offer a certain number of "charity beds". So if the charity beds are full, they can refuse care. Now for the kicker, right now with only three hospitals being open in New Orleans proper, there are 13 charity beds available. We have it so good in MN. This state is going to have to take an honest look at their healthcare system and their school system. It's just sad.
Tomorrow's forecast, 10% chance of rain, high of 48 degrees.
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