A patient on the way to surgery travels at twice the speed of a patient on the way to the morgue. Gurneys that ferry the living through hospital corridors move forward in an aura of purpose and push, flanked by caregivers with long strides and set faces, steadying IVs, pumping ambu bags, barreling into double doors. A gurney with a cadaver commands no urgency. It is wheeled by a single person, calmly and with little notice, like a shopping cart{167}.
The quote highlights the stark contrast between the urgency of life-saving situations and the calmness associated with death. A patient heading for surgery is surrounded by an environment full of determination, with caregivers actively engaged in their duties, reflecting the critical nature of the moment. In contrast, the presence of a gurney carrying a deceased person evokes a sense of tranquility and resignation as it is handled with minimal attention, symbolizing an absence of life and urgency.
This juxtaposition effectively underscores the human response to life and death within a hospital setting. The swift, purposeful movements of medical staff signify hope and the fight for life, while the slow, deliberate handling of a cadaver illustrates the acceptance of mortality. Ultimately, Roach's observations paint a vivid picture of the contrasting realities faced in these critical healthcare moments.
