From http://it.med.miami.edu/images/vocera2.gif

I have to introduce everyone to my vocera (pictured above). A vocera is basically a scaled up version of a walkie talkie. Here at UCDavis, all the nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, etc. carry these voceras. In the PICU and NICU, all physicians also have voceras. Thus, while on my PICU rotation, I became the proud owner of my very own vocera.

My vocera name was P-I-C-U Resident 2 (said very slowly with a slight inflection of the voice at the "2"). Now, these Vocera's, although a brilliant concept, could cause untold frustration.

Here's a typical morning in the life of my vocera

5:50 am, Vocera sits serenely in her battery charger.
6:00 am, Vocera is jerked up violently and hurriedly turned on. Quickly Vocera blinks to life
Vocera: "hello, no one is logged in at the moment, please say or spell your first and last name."
Me "PICU resident 2"
Vocera "Did I hear you say Purjot Twain"
Me "No."
Vocera "All right, let's try again"
Me "P-I-C-U- r-e-s-i-d-e-n-t 2"
Vocera "Did I hear you say PICU resident 5"
Me "No!"
Vocera "All right, let's try again"
Me "P-I-C-U- r-e-s-i-d-e-n-t T-W-O"
Vocera "I'm sorry I didn't understand, please try again"
ME "Me "P-I-C-U- r-e-s-i-d-e-n-t 2"(with a downward inflection of the voice)
Vocera "Did I hear you say PICU resident 5"
Me "NOOOOOOO!!"
Vocera "All right, let's try again"
ME "P-I-C-U- r-e-s-i-d-e-n-t 2" (This time I tried a falcetto 2)
Vocera "Did I hear you say PICU resident 2"
Me (much relieved): YES!
Vocera "I'm sorry, I didn't understand"
Me: "Y-E-S!"
Vocera: "Log in cancelled"
Me: AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Eventually, I figured out that if I lowered my voice for "PICU resident" and then said "two" in a very high voice, it would successfully recognize my log in name. I won't waste space describing my attempts to CALL people on this thing. Sufficient to say that I usually gave up and would either find the person myself or just page them!

Fun memories!

-Rachel