Work of an In-Patient Department

When the patients are admitted to the hospital first of all they are received by a nurse on duty at the reception ward. Those patients who are to be hospitalized have already received the direction from the polyclinic. The nurse on duty fills in the patients’ case histories in which she writes down their names, age, place of work, occupation, address and the initial diagnosis made by a doctor at the polyclinic.

Then the doctor on duty examines the hospitalized patients and gives his instructions what department and wards the patients are to be admitted to.

At the in-patient department of a hospital life begins early in the morning. The nurses on duty take the patients' temperature, give them intramuscular and intravenous injections, take stomach juice for analysis, apply cups and give all the prescribed remedies in the doses indicated by the ward doctors. The nurses keep all the drugs in special drug cabinets. All the drugs have special labels. The names of drugs are indicated on them. Patients are not allowed to take the medicines themselves because some of the drugs may cause unfavorable reactions and even death.

At about nine o' clock in the morning the doctors begin the daily round of the wards during which they examine all the patients. After the medical examination the doctors administer the patients different procedures: electrocardiograms are taken, laboratory analyses of blood, urine and gastric juice are made. Some patients are administered a bed regimen, others are allowed to walk, some are to follow a diet to relieve stomachache or prevent unfavorable results in case of stomach troubles. All the doctors always treat the patients with great attention and care. There is no doubt that such a hearty attitude of the doctors to the patients helps much in their recovery.

Visiting an In-Patient

A: Hello.

B: Hello. How are you?

A: So-so, thanks.

В: I've heard that you’re in hospital. What’s up with you?

A: I felt bad (unwell) three days ago. I had nausea and vomiting. I called in a doctor and he advised me to be hospitalized.

B: And do you know your diagnosis, I wonder?

A: Yes, I do. It’s acute pancreatitis.

В: I hope it’s not very dangerous. When were you admitted to the hospital? What was it like ?

A: I was admitted to the hospital two days ago. The nurse on duty filled in my case history. She wrote down my name, age, place of work, occupation, address and the initial diagnosis. Then the doctor on duty examined me and gave me instructions to be admitted to gastroenterological department to ward number 7.

B: Could you tell me, what analyses did you have made?

A: I had blood test and urinalyses made.

В: And what procedures were administered to you?

A: Every day early in the morning the nurse on duty gives me intravenous injections.

B: And were any physiotherapeutie procedures prescribed to you?

A: No, I don't need any physiotherapeutie procedures.

В: I wonder, do you like your doctor? What’s he like?

A: Oh, he is a very good, experienced specialist. Besides he has a good bedside manner and he is very careful. Every day about 9 o'clock in the morning he begins his daily round, examines his patients and administers them all necessary procedures and drugs.

В: I hope, you follow the doctor's prescriptions, don’t you?

A: Yes, of course I do. I keep to a strict diet; I believe it’s very important.

В: Really? And what food can’t you eat?

A: I can't eat fatty food, eggs, sausage, smoked ham, pepper. Besides I can't drink alcohol.

B: I’ve brought you some fruits. I think you'll eat them with pleasure.

A: Oh, I see you’ve brought some oranges. I like them very much. Thank you.

В: You’re welcome. Oh, I'm sorry, but I have to go. I feel sorry for you. I wish you were well again as soon as possible.

A: Thanks a lot. I was very glad to see you. Remember me to our friends.

В: OK, see you soon.

A Good-bye.