Thoughts From a Clicker
By Tiny Ruisch
Way back in November of 2010, I invented a new computing term. I can’t believe that it hasn’t caught on. Over‑technologied is a name that I made up to describe a situation where technology is used either unnecessarily, stupidly, inadequately or in some other silly manner. I think that people who have the latest, greatest, newest technology and then don’t know how to use it are extremely over‑technologied. I made up the word, so I guess I can make up the definition.
I recalled this article during my recent four day stay at the hospital. I was in a lot of pain, flat on my back and needing lots of rest to recover. For most of the visit, I had three separate IV tubes attached. Intravenous Line technology has sure changed. I remember when the nurse would attach the tube and start the medicine. Every hour or so, someone would check to see if the drip was still working and replace the bag if necessary.
Now we have fancy technology to control the IV flow. It is a small box that monitors the drip. If the bag empties or there is a problem with the tube, an extremely loud alarm starts beeping. It was very loud and reminded me of that old saying about “waking the dead.” This sounds like a great system. Unfortunately, there were a few problems. More than one time, I fell asleep and moved my arm into the wrong position. The machine would sound the alarm and wake me up. It would usually stop before the nurse could come in to check. I think that it was a great example of over‑technology.
Hospital beds have improved so much that they have become over‑technologied. They have buttons that allow you to adjust them to every conceivable position. I had a hard time figuring out how to just make it go flat like a bed. When an aide wheeled me to an MRI scan, the bed wouldn’t fit in the elevator. He pushed one of the adjustment buttons and the bed got shorter. Luckily, after waking up back in the room, the nurse knew how to re‑extend the bed. I didn’t have to spend the rest of my time in the hospital with my knees bent.
As a diabetic, I’ve become accustomed to checking my glucose level. I use a meter that is just a little larger than an Oreo cookie. The meter used in the hospital was a little larger. About the size of a large paper‑back book, it had a lot of room for electronics. It worked the same way with a standard test strip. Before taking my glucose, the machine was used to scan my wrist band. I never asked, but I assumed that the reason for all the technology in the meter was for record keeping purposes. The machine might not have been over‑technologied, but it sure doesn’t seem to need many updates to become so.
Even with all the medical technology, the doctors haven’t been able to identify what caused my medical problem. I don’t have to worry though. I’ve been scheduled to visit many specialists and take several tests. I’m pretty sure that I’ll have more chances to see some medical over‑technology. Meanwhile, I’m feeling much better with plenty of old-fashioned bed rest, chicken soup, liquids, etc. Maybe I just need a mustard poultice.
Thanks for reading and keep on clicking.