Facts take a back door to myths

The following post was written by retired RT Will Lessons.  

He was called an idiot by the doctor.  It happened because the patient's SpO2 was only 90% on a 4lpm nasal cannula, and the doctor ordered him to turn down the oxygen to 2lpm.  Surely his PCO2 was 70, but he lives near 55, so 70 to the guy was no big deal.  On behalf of the patient, my coworker provided the doctor with evidence the hypoxic drive theory is a hoax.  He was called an idiot by the doctor.  

"You are an idiot, Bob Thomas!" the doctor said.  "I want the oxygen turned down to 2lpm." 

The doctor went after my friend by name, because what that doctor wants is to eliminate any opposition -- which includes scientific studies, whatever it is.  That seems to be the modus operandi of people like this , rather than debate people and win in a contest of hearts and minds. They don't want to do that, no, no, just eliminate the opposition.

If you provide facts that disprove a myth that is so ingrained in society, you will be called every name in the book.  They will make you out to be the "idiot," even though you have all the evidence on your side.  They do this because they don't have any evidence.  There has never been one study to prove the hypoxic drive hoax.  Not one!  

So my coworker turned down the oxygen.  He did this, and then he trudged unhappily out of the room.  Although on the way he passed the physician, and he mumbled under his breath just loud enough for me to hear: "He was on 4lpm for four hours in the emergency room and he was fine!" 

I will not go as far to call this doctor an idiot, because he is not: he merely has a different opinion, one that is supported by the medical profession, and totally fake.  I will not resort to the same level as them. When the evidence is not enough to change minds, silence is the best option when you're a Christian man. 

It's moments like this that make me want to quit working all together.  However, thankfully, there is a more rewarding side of this job that keeps me going, and gives me the urge to pick up a few shifts now and again.