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IS IT GOOD PATIENT CARE?
Tuesday, 25 May 2004
PHYSICAL THERAPY IS MORE THAN JUST PHYSICAL THERAPY
The patient waited for his physical therapist. She was so seasoned with dealing with patients. She motivated and encouraged them so that they would progress to their level of functioning. She was a special person. She had taken care of his wife, several years prior. Being unable to walk, requiring assistance just to go from the chair to the bedside commode, she (physical therapist) supported his wife's every move, physically and emotionally. The encouragement given for even the smallest progress was given with enthusiasm. His wife improved greatly and walked again. The physical therapist was one of a kind. When he needed physical therapy, the family requested to have the same physical therapist. Knowing how she handled patients, she was the one. She had patience, was kind, caring and most of all understanding and realized what the patient was experiencing. She visited him every week, but this day was different. He had been to his kidney doctor the day before, was told he needed to start dialysis within the next two weeks. He was ambivalent, although knowing, for some years, that this was coming. She arrived and he was in bed sleeping, not wanting to do any excercises. Emotionally he had been hit hard. The day he knew was coming, was here. She could have left and just said she would return being he could not do anything. And, actually, she did mention if he was tired she would return. Her instincts, or rather, her expertise and experience told her he needed her, but not for physical therapy. He was scared and ambivalent. She stayed, they talked, he felt better. She validated his feelings relating to the dialysis. She cared..................very very much... a special physical therapist.

Posted by ill/patientcareadvocates at 4:10 PM PDT
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Saturday, 22 May 2004
Hey Nurse, Don't Cough On Me !!!!
Here we go again. The nurses coughing all over everyone. What a vicious cycle it is... The nurse is sick. So, let her/him call in to work sick and stay at home, where they belong. Why? Because they can't. If they do, it goes against them. They get so many days a year to be sick. If they take more than the allotted time, they are written up. This is so contrary to taking care of sick patients, especially with all the infections throughout the hospitals and doctor's offices.

Tell them to go home.. Stay away from me,, I don't want to get sick, I already am sick... that is why I am in the hospital..

Posted by ill/patientcareadvocates at 11:29 PM PDT
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Wednesday, 19 May 2004
the phone conversation with the nurse
I was just trying to have a problem solved. Isn't that what nurses do? Well, so I thought. I must have thought wrong. Why did she become a nurse. She was so indignant and rude. Goodness, she acted like she was doing me a favor. Am I not paying her salary? Am I not the customer? I guess not. And, how silly of me to think that I am the customer, I am the patient. But, wait!!!! All healthcare is now focused on 'customer relations'.. see, I am not crazy, I am just a patient in need of help. What is it with these nurses? Why did they become nurses in the first place? Did they think they would catch a rich doctor? Perhaps. Maybe they watched too much television? No, wait, they thought it was a glamorous job. Whatever the reason, it is obviously she does not want to be doing what she is doing. She really irritated me. Am I not the patient? Isn't she the nurse? I don't understand. All I wanted was for her to tell the doctor about a side effect of the medication I was taking. Did she not understand, I was having a problem. What is it with these people? If they did not want to help patients and be kind, why are they nurses? I don't get it. A simple request, take a message for the doctor and have him call me. This is important. I realize the doctor is busy, but, I need to speak with him. Something is wrong. I am having a reaction to the medication.. Okay, take two aspirin and call me in the morning... NO, the doctor tells me that, not you, the nurse.

Posted by ill/patientcareadvocates at 11:49 PM PDT
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THE OFFICE NURSE
Upon arrival at the doctor's office, we were greeted by a receptionist. Ofcourse, this was after she finished her personal conversation with her coworker. I guess she did not see us standing at the desk for 7 minutes. But then, I am assuming her personal conversation was very important. A new date with a gorgeous man. I guess that is important. That is, if you are single and looking. How insensitive of me to even think it would not be important. Finally, we checked in... and gave our money to enter and see the doctor. Our name was called, by a nurse we had never seen before. I guess the nurses change frequently, as there always seems to be a different nurse. Geesh, I wonder if the doctor chases them off, or are they just underpaid and overworked. Friendly was not her forte'. She led us to the examination room where she said, 'the doctor will be here shortly, but I have to get some information.' Okay, fine, no problem. What kind of information? The usual. What medications are you on? Why are you here to see the doctor? Okay, answer the questions so that the sooner the nurse finishes the sooner we see the doctor. What garbage this is..... why even have a nurse... I don't get it... Some regulation or guideline possibly. Anyway, finally the doctor enters the room. "Why are you here today?" Fine, I will say it, "Don't you read your nurses notes?" Okay smartie, let's get on with it and tell me why... Five minutes later we are out of the office with a prescription for a medication that probably will not work, but we take it anyway... to appease the doctor. Thinking back, it took us 10 minutes with the receptionist, 10 with the nurse,, and twenty minutes later, we saw the doctor... for five minutes. What is wrong with this picture?

Posted by ill/patientcareadvocates at 11:36 PM PDT
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THE PHARMACIST
As I walked down the aisle, I observed an older gentleman looking curiously at the various sleeping medications. I watched him pick up one bottle and make a comment about how that would help him.

After seeing which bottle of pills he had chosen, I noticed that one of the medications in the pill was known to have side effects in older individuals, especially if taken with certain other medications.

In my very polite manner, I said, "excuse me" and told him that I was familiar with that medication. He started asking me questions and I referred him to the pharmacist.

Generally, I would say that pharmacists have a wonderful working knowledge of medications, sometimes more than some physicians.

I was shocked when the pharmacist told this gentleman that the medication would be fine.

Having seen how this medication caused side effects in certain people, I was a bit annoyed. Thinking what if this was one of my family, or myself.

I guess there is no perfect situation when it comes to healthcare and there will always be those situations that will be questioned.

Perhaps the pharmacist was overwhelmed with prescriptions needing to be filled, maybe he was having a bad day, maybe he just was not interested, I don't know. What I do know is that this pharmacist has always been at the top of the line with knowledge and a caring attitude. So, what happened in this instance? I don't know............Do you?
We are all human ! ! !

Posted by ill/patientcareadvocates at 4:01 PM PDT
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DO YOU KNOW WHAT MEDICATIONS YOU ARE TAKING?
Going to the doctor's office can be overwhelming especially when medications you are presently taking are changed to new ones. It is important to know about your medications. Did the doctor review the prescription with you? Did the doctor tell you what the medication is for? Did the doctor tell you how often and how much to take? Did the doctor tell you interactions of this new medication (with food and other medications?) Did the doctor tell you the side effects or unwanted reactions of this medication? If the physician did 'not' give you this information, then ASK, ASK and ASK again until you get the answers. All too often patients leave the doctor's office without having the knowledge about their medications. Being an informed patient is knowing what medication(s) you are taking.

Posted by ill/patientcareadvocates at 10:17 AM PDT
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Tuesday, 18 May 2004
ARE HOSPITAL BUGS GETTING YOU DOWN
Hospital bugs, also known as, infections, are here to stay. Yes, you heard that right... here to stay.. Why? Perhaps there are many reasons........bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics (developing over the years)...poor infection control techniques by hospital staff, no oversight of staff to ensure simple things i.e. if handwashing is done, etc. therefore, the bugs are here to stay. How can you, as a patient, protect yourself against acquiring an infection while you are a patient in a hospital (nosocomial infection?) Ask your nurse if she washed her hands before she entered your hospital room. Most hospitals, today, have hand washing bottles outside patient rooms. Nurses, or anyone entering or leaving a room, just does a one time 'squirt' on the hands. Like a quick handwashing. There are many guidelines that hospitals, as well as nursing homes use, or should use. The CDC and JCAHO provide guidelines that are incorporated into policies in healthcare facilities. Healthcare facilities can have all the written policies and procedures in place, however, if, in fact, the employees do not follow the policies and procedure, then what is the use of having them? A bit harsh? Yes, indeed. Considering people have their lives ruined; often these infections lead to death. Those affected the most are older patients whose immune systems are not as good as someone younger, those with already compromised bodies (other medical problems)and, ofcouse, those who come in contact with staff who are not adhering to good infection control techniques. So, the next time you are a patient in a hospital, or even at the doctor's office, ask the nurse or person providing care, "did you wash your hands before you took care of me?" I am sure the staff will look at you in amazement. Well, probably no one has asked that question. Better yet, ask your doctor, and, see what the reaction might be.......... Should be interesting to say the least. HAPPY HANDWASHING

Posted by ill/patientcareadvocates at 11:15 PM PDT
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Monday, 17 May 2004
WHERE DID THE REAL NURSE GO
The Home Health Nurse came today. Her last visit. In and out in a matter of a few seconds. Just like the last visit. I can understand, there is, thankfully enough, not much to do here.. however, it makes one wonder how she is with her other patients. Perhaps it is called burnout... yes, that is it.. burnout... I can relate.. I feel she lied to us today. She had told us last week she was going to get in touch with the doctor... she never did,,, but, she told us he did not call back... I don't believe her.... I think she forgot..She was also suppose to tell the Diabetic Home Health Nurse to bring more equipment, but she did not .... So, what can one think of the healthcare system, when one can't believe the person who is providing care. I get so tired of seeing how nurses treat patients. Do they really think consumers are stupid? Maybe?

Posted by ill/patientcareadvocates at 11:46 PM PDT
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Thursday, 13 May 2004
Is There A Nursing Shortage?
According to newspapers, televison and any other media exposure, there 'is' a nursing shortage.
Perhaps due to the fact that healthcare has changed over the years and is not what it used to be......

Ask anyone who works in the healthcare field and they will tell you there is a shortage. However, if you watch any nurses station you will see nurses socializing, having personal conversations and flirting. This sounds a bit harsh, but oh so true. Maybe not all of the time, but it does happen and that is the reality. Once you experience needing a nurse but can't get one to help you, then you will know what I am talking about.

The days of personalized healthcare are gone. I often ask myself why do the hospitals focus on 'customer service'...............I can remember when healthcare started using the term 'customer service'.................Think about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who is the customer? The patient is........then why can't the patient get a nurse to help them when needed? That is the question.

Posted by ill/patientcareadvocates at 9:32 PM PDT
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I Need A Nurse
I am afraid...
I sit and cry...
I don't know what will happen....
Please come hold my hand....

Often, more than not, patients enter the hospital not knowing what the outcome will be. Those that enter the hospital for a surgical procedure, hope the surgery will go fine and that discharge will be around the corner. But there is that fear and uncertainty in the back of one's mind.

The emotional aspects of patient care go unnoticed by many nurses. Is it due to the shortage of nurses? Is there really a shortage? Do nurses have more tasks to do now than 15 years ago? Why are the psychological aspects often ignored?

Families encounter fear and apprehension when a loved one is in the hospital. Again, the fear of the unknown arises and frequently remains at a high level. A kind word, a pat on the back, a touch on the shoulder, to let one know there is support.

The most devastating experience is the sudden emergency that brings one to the hospital. Either themself to be admitted or a loved one. The fear is highest during this period as opposed to routine/schedule treatments/procedures/surgeries.

Watching the nurses and doctors hustle about trying to deliver whatever care and treatment is needed in the emergency situation. One looks on with fear. Is there someone to say, "I am here for you." Where is the helping hand to keep one from falling apart?

Speak out and ask for help. Tell the nursing staff, receptionist, doctor, whoever is there, that support is needed. Being overwhelmed is mentally exhausting, as well as physically endangering. It is okay to ask for support and to have someone during this emergency

Posted by ill/patientcareadvocates at 8:52 PM PDT
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