Beware of Scooters

Recently I learned a new hazard of my profession…electric scooters (aka Rascals).  What is considered a “helpful” advantage for the elderly, disabled, or just plain lazy can actually be a threat to those of us who are still fully ambulatory. 

These contraptions have always made me slightly nervous.  I’m not exactly sure why.  Perhaps it has something to do with their awkward size or ability to go a little too fast, but most likely it is due to their drivers.  I’ll admit (because I’ve had the experience), steering one of these things can actually be quite tricky.  Like any motorized vehicle one must practice turns, speeds (yes a picture of a rabbit and a turtle is actually provided), and be familiar with its dimensions. 

This being said, I’ll cut to the chase and give a brief description of my encounter:

Upon giving a patient his pre-op instructions I was accidentally hit by his scooter when he was attempting to leave my cubicle.  Instead of going backward he went forward–right into my chair.  (Luckily he wasn’t going full-throttle on rabbit speed).  Basically I was lightly bumped and uninjured (the chair absorbed most of the impact), but surprised to say the least. 

Given the fact that he was in his eighties and a nice gentleman I was not offended.  Accidents happen.  However after his mistake he did not apologize.  Actually he barely acknowledged it, which leads me to believe this was not the first time for this to occur. 

Of course, as luck would have it, I was his nurse when he came for surgery.  I made a mental note to stay away from his scooter so long as he was on it.  (Anesthesia, being in your eighties, and having a history of bad driving simply do not paint a pretty picture).

Due to my planning I was able to avoid further injury, although on this day I was the one to do something “bad.”   When the patient was ready to get out of bed I went to fetch his ride which was parked out in the hallway.  Upon seeing the scooter I realized I didn’t even know how to turn the thing on.  I pushed a few buttons (actually all of the ones that I could see), but the power remained off.  I had to go back to the room and ask the patient for directions.  Once I got it “running” I attempted to back it up only to have it lurch forward.  Ooops.  To make matters worse it was set on rabbit speed and parked right next to a water fountain.  It was one of those moments where you hope no one is looking, and I’m pretty sure no one was.  I did however manage to put a small dent in the black metal basket hooked on the front (which of course I bent back so that there was no evidence of a collision).  Basically it was an “awkward Aimee moment.”  I was able to remain composed, but had anyone else witnessed it I probably would have cracked up.  Instead I just had a nice internal laugh and returned to the room with a smile, which the patient probably found a bit confusing.