Back to the Nurses

Reading over yesterday's post, it seems I got derailed from my original topic.  So let's get back to the nursing staff.

I can remember being in hospital back in the late 1980's.  In those days you rarely saw nursing staff.  They mostly stayed sequestered behind thick glass walls, and tended to converse with patients via some kind of tin can-sounding two-way radio.  They always sounded harrassed and displeased that you dared bother them in their crystal fortress.  Peon.

Fast-forward to 2011.  There is a low-tech, incredibly useful white board in my room.  It's communication central for nursing staff, my doctors and I.  Pretty much everything I need to know is on this board.  If there is still something more I need to know, there is section for me to write down my questions or concerns, so I don't forget to ask my doctors.

Prominently featured at the top of the board is my room number and the phone number.  Next comes the names of all the staff seeing to my care on the current shift.  I love this feature because I appreciate being able to thank people by name.

Staff normally lists my RN, the RN Manager, the Nursing Assistant, and my Physician.  Last night we had to add my respiratory therapist to the mix.  Yep, the lungs are acting up just a tiny bit, so Dr. Ramaswamy is being cautious and ordered nebs every six hours.

The board continues with pain management information.  My section is blank, as I'm not experiencing any major pain.  If you havve any testing scheduled, there's a spot for that.  Next is an area for 'Today's Goals.'  As ever, my goal is to live and be happy.

I really like the next section:  'What would make your stay excellent?'  My sisters wrote 'chocolate' and 'red wine.'  I have since ammended this to GOOD red wine. :)

Finally the last section is where I can list my questions and concerns.

So if we compare the communication quality between patient and nurse, 1986 vs 2011, it's apparent that your chances to survive a hospital stay should be much greater based on the communication factor alone.

The main thing is that I can see an entire attitude change from autocratic despots to people that want to partner WITH you to give you CARE.

 More next post.  I want to go take a jaunt around my floor. :)

Love to all!