26
Tuesday, June 6, 2006 – 4:32 p.m.
Lab and Medical Supply Room
Ken entered the lab waiting area. Currently, there were no patients waiting to have their blood removed, urine taken or shots given. It was unusually quiet. Walking up to the lab window, Ken rang the bell. Although, as a doctor, he could have let himself into the lab directly, he’d always felt that this was the lab technicians domain. He wanted to allow them the right to their own area without his interference. It would be like them respecting his office or operating rooms. Sauntering up to the window was a petite, dark-haired young woman in her twenties. Her shorter hair and olive complexion in combination with her accent gave clear indication that she was from India. Her nametag read Chandini - Lab Technician. She was new here. Ken hadn’t seen her before.
“That’s a beautiful name,” Ken said smiling.
“Thank you. It means ‘moon light.’ My parents said it fit me when I was born since the moon was full and I was the light of their world. Thus, ‘moon light,’ or Chandini.”
“Well, it certainly is different. So you must be new here. I don’t believe we’ve met before. I’m Dr. Slaterbaugh, Ken.”
“Nice to meet you doctor. I started about a week ago.”
“Well, welcome aboard. It’s nice to have you here.”
“Thank you.”
“I need to check on some items I requested be tested a while ago. It was five bags of IV fluid. Four of them were used, one was not. Do you know anything about them?”
“I believe someone brought some up. I think his name was Dave. Dane?”
“Dan?” Ken asked.
“Yes, that’s it,” Chandini said smiling. “He was a nice man.”
“Yes, he’s very friendly. He works with me on the neurology floor, floor five.”
“He said you wanted these tested for the presence of tryptamines?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Giving Ken a somewhat puzzled expression, Chandini said, “That’s a rather unusual test. It’s not one that is done very often.”
“Yes, I know,” Ken said. “However, I’ve been having some unusual problems with some of my patients today and I’m guessing that it might be related to these bags. Oh, and along with those bags, I need these tested for the same thing.” Reaching into his pocket, Ken removed the two used syringes that had been injected into Maisie.
“Testing for tryptamines is not very common. I know that they’re found in LSD, some recreational drugs and various species of mushrooms and some other substances, but other than that, I don’t really hear much about them.”
“Neither had I until today. I remember studying about them in medical school and as an intern, but I rarely deal with tryptamines on their own. My patient’s tox screens showed high levels of tryptamines and I didn’t know where they were coming from. That’s why I want these bags and needles tested. I need to find the source.”
“Well, I can run the Van Urk test to rule out LSD, but I’ll have to do a little more work to find the presence of tryptamines. Usually, colorimetric testing is sufficient to expose the levels of tryptamines, but at times, a more sensitive and complex test using some form of chromatography is necessary.”
“Fine. Just do what it takes. I just need to find out as soon as possible where these tryptamines are coming from. It’s killing my patients’!”
“I’ll do what I can doctor.”
Looking at Chandini with his gentle, grandfatherly appeal, Ken asked, “About how long will these tests take?”
“Well, we’re not too backed up right now so I’d think an hour or two.”
“Great! I’ll come back up at say, 6:30?”
“That should be fine. I get off at 8:00, so I’ll still be here.”
“Thanks so much Chandini.”
“You’re welcome. It was nice meeting you.”
“Likewise.”
Ken turned to leave and then stopped. Turning back toward Chandini he asked, “Is Slick still around?”
“No. He left around 4:00. He should be back in tomorrow morning around 6:00 am.”
“Thanks.”
Ken shut the door behind him and walked to the elevators. Climbing to the fifth floor, Ken exited and checked in with Dan. Nothing new had transpired, so he headed for his office to catch up on some paperwork. Maybe his day was finally going to head in the right direction.
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