Imagine working for seventy two hours, non-stop, without even a power nap? That was doctor Dave's work routine ever since he began his residency at Westfall Health Care Centre. There were few doctors and nurses but many patients to attend to. He knew the importance of sleep to the human body but believed the situation demanded a no-sleep solution.
"Dave, you need to take a break. Go to the on-call room. I can hold the fort for you for like forty minutes," his medical director and friend, Steele, offered.
Dave thought for a moment. His young patient, a five year old girl who he operated on would wake up soon and he wanted to be there to attend to her.
"Hey. Don't think twice. Go on!" Steele pressed. "How can you attend to your patients with no sleep for more than forty eight hours? Not healthy."
"Alright. Alright. Thirty minutes, then you wake me. Okay?"
"Got it."
Dave fell asleep fast as soon as his head hit the pillow in the on-call room. Steele let him sleep for an hour because he knew how important a clear mind and steady hands are in the Health Care Centre. A similar situation occurred three years ago which led to the death of one of his friends.
The family did not care that they were friends. The incident cost him their friendship and opened up their Health Care Centre to a lawsuit.
Steele vowed that they would not be known for such negligence again. Dave was bright and young. He would do what he can to keep him with them as long as possible.
I hope you enjoyed reading my piece. This freewrite is inspired by the prompt "no sleep". Join the @freewriters community to receive daily prompts, hosted by @mariannewest. You are invited to participate.
Image by Piron Guilliame from Unsplash