Dr. Delling and Nurse Ichihara

Posted on Fri Jul 1st, 2022 @ 9:42pm by Commander Victor Delling MD & Petty Officer 2nd Class Mai Ichihara

1,262 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Trade Troubles
Location: Sickbay

Petty Office Mai Ichihara was alone in sickbay, her overnight shift being almost over. She stood with her back to the main entrance, sorting tools and making sure that everything was orderly for when her relief appeared.

She had heard that a new Chief Medical Officer had arrived, and was looking forward to meeting him. If only because the EMH could be annoying. It had the capability of examining chart notes while inactive but still insisted on being briefed on all patients. At least a new Doctor meant a real person to interact with, giving her rounds actual value. She had not seen when the new CMO was scheduled to start though. She hoped soon.

Victor had gotten to the office assigned to him a little early, and had the pleasure of actually watching his night nurse do her final set of rounds. She was more than proficient, and he'd seen a hint of annoyance in her face but none in her voice as she worked with the EMH and the patients themselves.

After finishing the rounds and making sure the tools were organized, Mai turned to see that the new CMO was in fact already in his office. She adjusted her single-eye glass, picked up a PADD, and went to his office door.

"Good morning, Doctor. Apologies, I didn't hear you come in."

"Victor, please. And you weren't supposed to hear me come in, as I wanted to see you doing rounds." He gestured to a seat, and poured coffee for himself from a large glass decanter on a heat stone. "Coffee or some other refreshment?"

“I’d love some coffee, thank you,” she replied. “I’m up for a few more hours, so it’ll help.”

He poured from the same carafe and set it down with a clink. He pushed a tray across the desk containing her mug, cream and sugar to her. He'd already added cream to his, and a half spoon of sugar was melting into the dark brew. "Cream or sugar if you want."

"Thank you," she said, pouring in some of each, stirring, and taking a sip. The warm, aromatic drink helped restore her vitality after long overnight hours. "I suppose I haven't introduced myself. Petty Officer 3rd Class Mai Ichihara." She quickly and momentarily bowed her head. "I've been de facto Head Nurse since coming aboard, as most of the others are junior to me. We've been working with the EMH to get everyone's physicals done before launch."

"I would like for you to remain in that position, if you're not adverse. I'll be asking for more staffing to ease the workload, but you already know the ship and crew. I would find it a huge asset."

"Understood," she replied. She sipped her coffee, taking a moment to savour it, as it had been a busy night. "Perhaps later today we can go over patient files. I can fill you in on crew health and anything ongoing."

"That would be welcome, as I've noticed that the records well complete are woefully inadequate from the physician side of things. I appreciate the EMH, but when he only records what he did rather than why it makes it more like a scavenger hunt than a medical record. And the previous doctors charting is simply non-existent, did he or she not do his logs?"

“She did,” Mai explained, “but her mind worked quite a bit differently than the rest of us. I never did learn where she kept them. We have supplementals on any file where we needed follow-up in the nurse’s database. I’ll copy it over to you.”

"I find it difficult when such things happen, and I would appreciate the information.". Annoyance crossed his features for a moment before he settled down into the normal calm expression that he cultivated. "What questions are concerns do you have for me?"

"The only question is whether you plan to change the schedules much," Mai answered. "We're fine to change to meet your needs as Chief Medical Officer, but the more notice we have, the better. The current work plan we have should be available to you." She pursed her lips. "I'll admit we took some liberties when the previous doctor left; her way was efficient to her unique way of thinking but it put some unneeded strain on us. Almost any change you could want would be easy to implement though."

"My plan was to run as standard Alpha, Beta and Delta shift with a rotation every 12 weeks so that no one person stays on a shift they dislike unless someone truly enjoys the Delta shift. But, if your nurses would rather do something different, I am open to discussion on that regard. What have you got running and why does it work for you?" he was genuinely interested in what she had to say, leaning forward, his fingers steepled over his coffee cup.

That's essentially how we've been operating," Mai replied. "With thirty-minute overlaps. Except we shifted it so that our shift changes don't coincide with the rest of the ship. We found that people who had minor-to-moderate problems were likelier to come in at their end of their duty shifts, and found we were more efficient in helping them if we weren't also doing handover at the same time."

"That sounds reasonable enough. Do you changeover before or after the standard shifts?" He took a long sip of his coffee, sighing softly in enjoyment.

Mai finished her coffee and set it down, having needed the pick-me-up. “Two hours before, so we’re not exhausted when the peaks happen.”

"And you're well versed on the patients so that when the doctors change shifts it's a simple procedure. I like it. I see no reason why we can't keep it that way. Is there anyone you know that would like to remain on Gamma shift as a permanent installation, or is that too much to Hope for?". His charming smile lit up his face again as he knew most people hated Gramma shift.

Mai gave him a sideways smile. "Sorry, Doctor. We're all happy to take it for short bursts of time, but what motivates us is knowing that it's temporary."

"It was worth a try" he said softly, smiling to himself. There were people that enjoyed Gamma, and one of the Doctors coming to his aid was one such individual. He would be grateful when Wyndon arrived to take it off his hands. "Any interpersonal issues I need to know about? Anyone I shouldn't schedule together? Romances I shouldn't stick on opposite shifts, you know, that sort of thing?"

“I’ll send you a list,” she said. “Good of you to think of that, Doctor. The staff is small but such things still arise even here.”

"I've had it be both detrimental and beneficial. I am not going to lay down the law as long as it doesn't effect people's work."

"Agreed. Is there anything else, Doctor?"

"No, I don't believe so. I'll pick up the slack wherever it is needed until I get some reinforcements. I have a doctor coming, maybe 2. You get to your bed, I've kept you from it long enough." Victor grinned at her in dismissal.

That made her smile. “Thank you, Doctor. Good day.” Dismissed, she made haste for the door and headed to her cabin, eager for a few hours sleep.

"Sleep well" Victor called after her.


OFF

Lt.Cdr Victor Delling, MD
Chief Medical Officer, USS Myogi

And

Petty Officer 3rd Class Mai Ichihara
Nurse, USS Myogi

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