Pulse Oximetry mayhem

Today CALAS-Pacific had a webinar on a system called MouseOx by STARR Life Sciences which measures oxygen content in mice using infrared light. I’m not in the best of moods today – I seem to have come down with some sort of flu – and this seminar did a great job with getting me riled up. Grrr…

The apparatus itself is a good idea. It’s a non-intrusive way of measuring oxygen content and can be used in a variety of settings from research science to veterinary offices. But you know what would have been better? PowerPoints that showed up on screen. Narration that is clear and understandable. And more than 15-20 people showing up.

After the webinar wrapped up, a gentleman who had been sitting off to the side stood up an announced that there was some reading material available by the door for anyone who would be interested, and then he left.

Meanwhile, I stopped to ask some of the CALAS members what they thought of the talk. The general response was that they were “happy to be allowed to come” but that they “didn’t understand it”. This is what I have been saying, no, shouting, into internet cyberspace for the past year! Members are eager to learn and to improve their skills and knowledge, but CALAS-Pacific is not providing the appropriate training opportunities! What good is telling them about pulse oximetry when they don’t understand what arterial blood pressure is, or how hemoglobin works?

Duly informed, I made my way to leave and was planning my blog when I was accosted by the former Program Co-Chair for CALAS-Pacific who shoved a stack of papers in my face and demanded, “Are these yours?” These were the papers that the quiet gentleman had left behind. Huh? Um… you and everyone else saw that some unknown man left after announcing he was leaving papers for CALAS members to read. Clearly they belong to him. Why accuse me? And what am I being accused of!? There is little more I hate than passive aggressiveness.

I ignored a glare and left our illustrious CALAS execs and former execs to themselves, grumbling over pieces of paper.  I am still not entirely sure what that was about, aside from using it as an excuse to make snide remarks to me.

Now, I am returning to the safety of my couch to nurse my flu.