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Before the bed is ready

Illustrated Story C10, with a text transcript.

Read story C10: Before the bed is ready (image and text)
Six-panel illustrated story: Before the bed is ready. A sister reports new confusion while waiting; assessment starts before a ward bed is available.

Quiet delirium in the emergency department: raising a concern while waiting

Musa becomes unusually quiet while waiting in the emergency department. Aisha describes the change rather than simply asking when a bed will be ready. The nurse reassesses him promptly. A new deterioration needs a clinical response wherever the person is waiting; an available ward bed is not a prerequisite for recognising delirium.

Example case. Names and dialogue are illustrative. Individual experiences and recovery vary.

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Story text

  1. Panel 1. They are waiting for a hospital bed.

  2. Panel 2.

    • Aisha: Musa? You’re not following me now.

  3. Panel 3.

    • Aisha: He has become confused and very slow to respond. Please get a nurse now.

  4. Panel 4.

    • Nurse: This change needs assessment. We won’t wait for a ward bed.

  5. Panel 5.

    • Doctor: He has delirium. We’re checking what is making him unwell.

  6. Panel 6.

    • Aisha: He was answering me when we arrived. This started while we waited.

Bottom band. Report a new change while waiting. Assessment should not wait for a ward bed.

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