Brainstorming

We had a brainstorming meet arranged by the Boss. There were heads of routine, emergency, and intensive medical care units, all obstetricians, and heads of two medicine and one obstetric departments from other civic hospitals. The discussion was on how to reduce mortality of pregnant women with hepatitis E. It was agreed that prevention was the best measure, but the opinion was divided on how to prevent it. They discussed boiling water for 20 minutes, putting chlorine tablets in the water, avoiding chine food and such. The the decision was made to invite the head of gastroenterology services. While we waited for that department head, they discussed measures to treat hepatitis E. A lot of suggestions were made and refuted. Amidst all the chaos the gastroenterologist arrived and was asked how to prevent hepatitis E. "The only measure is to drink only safe drinking water" came the answer. "How does one make water safe for drinking ?" was the next question. "Boiling." came the answer. "How long?" was the next question. I was thinking of my outpatient clinic where I have to ask four questions just to get the date of the last menstrual period of a patient. "Usual, what we do at home. Aquaguard." This answer was amazing. "Leave out aquaguard" the Boss said. "Those poor women we are talking about have not even seen an aquaguard." "I will check the WHO guidelines and immediately get back to you" came the answer. I was amazed. A senior consultant wanted to check WHO guidelines for something that every patient would probably be told. Apparently the Boss was amazed too. "No! I don't want fancy references and guidelines. You have 25 years of experience. Just tell me what should be done." "That is what. I will check what WHO recommends for these women and send you the information." The Boss probably gave up. On our way back to our department, we were discussing one suggestion made by one medical consultant to get neurosurgeons to perform craniotomy to reduce intracranial tension in these patients. It was probably earth-shattering brainstorming. I just hoped I did not get any disease that would put me under care of those radical people.