"Ain't it grand, finally making it all the way around...?" 

1001, and counting...In case you lost count, of how many patients we saw last hour, on what's called in Med Ed. as "Grand Rounds" The extra two that took us over the top, came from me taking two glances at one patient in a private room (that still lacks privacy, unless you count the curtain), and opening, closing the door of a dyad..."two halves make..."   

"Hey..." Here they come, turning the corner, the whole gang of them...zooming (these daze includes this format, as everything these days are for "efficiency sake")...

"Here comes the whole lot of them...which includes "what's his name" who's a really nice "fellow" who takes the lead in the line (given that they are considered "senior" and specialize in something-or-other, and otherwise have put the most miles in walking this path) who is joined by young lady who is chief resident or is resident in chief...I just call her "doc" for brief...along with the horde of interns in tow. And me, who has risen to the actual rank of MD (Medical Director, for you juniors out there). Together we walk in, without much warning and begin swarming, about a small space called the "patient's quarters" which features the kinds of bells and whistles that only the respective techs can decipher...ganging up, asking questions in no certain order (Oh, I forgot all those "orderlies" that also follow our parade, from a safe distance, and just about everyone orders around...) and the ONE vulnerable patient who, by this time, literally has their back up, against the wall (just barely bearing up).

Action pack mentality…"stick close, gang, you don't want to miss a beat..." Timely since we just stepped outside of the ICU, down into the "Step Down" cardiac unit (all making sense now, since I've been following this female "fellow" around for a few weeks now). But leaves me wondering, hesitant to ask, why it's called "rounds" when the unit we keep pacing is shaped more like a quad…but who am I to question…the old teaching hospital meme of “watch one, do one, teach one” did not leave a room, for it…

Center of Controversy - not only how much to utilize these over-utilized, under-rested residents, but more directionally where you'll find them "charting" and other-wise farting around, at the nurse's station, which is conveniently located smack dab in the middle...of the square. Where you'll likely find no nurses, as they are out, providing patient care. Which is why the grand rounders refer to them as "busy bodies".

A natural sequel, more of a pre-quel: Gowning up, by dressing down...see you a round.