Boarding

While I was waiting with a relative in the ER recently, I learned about this term. He/she was lucky enough to get a room with a door and some privacy. The others in the ER were in the hallway on stretchers.

He/she needed some help, so I stuck around and provided it. I don't bug staff, especially, when this was a level one trauma center and they were calling out the incoming customers with much frequency. After that, it was noisy, since there's some construction on the edge of the unit. The sounds of drills were right outside his/her room in the morning.

I was so happy when he/she got a bed. We just missed being there 24 hours.