Before the bleeps start.
Before the chaos.

Spend 10–15 minutes preparing yourself.

Because on-call isn’t just clinical skill.

It’s logistics.

If you start disorganised, your whole night feels rushed and stressful.
If you start prepared, everything feels calmer and controlled.

Small preparation → huge difference.

The goal

By the time handover finishes, you should feel:

✅ organised
✅ logged in
✅ equipped
✅ ready to move immediately

Not:

❌ searching for passwords
❌ looking for a pen
❌ asking where things are
❌ borrowing equipment

You don’t want your first emergency to happen while you’re still setting up.

Step 1 — Log into EVERYTHING early

Nothing slows you down more than computer problems mid-emergency.

Do this immediately after arriving:

Log into:

EPR / notes system
blood results
imaging (PACS)
prescribing system
email/referrals

Open all tabs before the shift starts.

Because at 2am:

passwords feel harder
systems are slower
you’re more tired

Logging in early saves surprising amounts of time later.

Step 2 — Prepare your job list properly

Never rely on memory.

Ever.

Use:

paper sheet
OR
notes app

But keep one clear master list.

Structure it:

🔴 Sick patients

🟠 Urgent tasks

🟢 Routine jobs

Not random scribbles.

When things get busy, a clean list reduces cognitive overload massively.

Messy list = messy brain.

Step 3 — Carry basic equipment

This sounds obvious, but it’s one of the biggest time savers.

Keep essentials on you.

Minimum kit:

pen (always 2)
job list sheet
bleep/phone fully charged
ABG syringe
cannulas
alcohol wipes
gloves

Optional:

tourniquet
small torch
scissors

Because nothing is more frustrating than:
Walking to a sick patient → then walking back to find equipment.

Preparation = fewer wasted trips.

Step 4 — Save important numbers early

During emergencies, you don’t want to search for contacts.

Save or write down:

registrar
consultant
outreach/CCOT
ICU
switchboard
radiology
lab
porters

Keep them accessible.

When seconds matter, you don’t want to Google the extension.

Step 5 — Check where things are physically

Especially in new hospitals or wards.

Know:

where cannulas are stored
ABG kits
blood culture bottles
IV fluids
drug charts
oxygen masks
emergency trolley location

The worst time to learn where equipment is…
is during a crashing patient.

Step 6 — Introduce yourself to the team

Quickly say hi to:

nurse in charge
ward sisters
site manager
outreach team

Simple:

“Hi, I’m the on-call SHO/Reg tonight”

This does two things:

they know who to call
they trust you faster

Nurses will escalate earlier if they know you.

Which improves safety massively.

Step 7 — Check yourself physically

Often ignored but very real.

Before starting:

drink water
eat something
toilet break
quick mental reset

Because once bleeps start, you might not sit down for hours.

Hungry + dehydrated + tired = poor decisions.

Medicine gets harder when basic needs aren’t met.

Step 8 — Mentally plan the shift

Take 30 seconds.

Ask yourself:

Which wards are highest risk tonight?
Where will most bleeps come from?
Any known sick patients?
What’s my escalation plan?

Just having a mental map reduces anxiety.

You feel in control instead of reactive.

Common junior mistakes

❌ starting shift without logging in
❌ messy job list
❌ no equipment
❌ dead phone
❌ learning ward layout during emergencies
❌ not knowing who to call
❌ skipping food/water

None of these are medical problems — but they create most stress.

Real-life difference

Unprepared

Bleep → cannula needed → no kit → search cupboards → delays → stress

Prepared

Bleep → kit ready → done in 2 minutes → move on

Multiply this 20 times per night.

Huge difference.

Simple 5-minute setup checklist

Before starting:

✅ Logged into systems
✅ Job list ready
✅ Equipment in pocket
✅ Numbers saved
✅ Met nurses
✅ Water/food sorted

Then you’re ready.

Take-home concept

On-call isn’t just clinical knowledge.

It’s operational efficiency.

Doctors who look calm aren’t smarter.

They’re prepared.

Spend 10 minutes setting yourself up properly, and the whole night becomes easier.

Preparation prevents panic.