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What have you noticed in a hospital setting that other patients might not have?
The reality of a PH diagnosis is that you often spend more time in clinics and hospitals than the average person. If you have been seen at multiple facilities, what are some comparisons that you made that other patients might not have noticed?
My son has been treated at many hospitals over the years, and while caring for my husband and parents, I’ve been inside a few others. I recently had day surgery and part of my pre-op prep was to swab my nose with Betadine. It is to prevent infection and reduce the risk of surgical site infections. This is a new surgical routine that the hospital implemented a year ago. I 100% support this step before surgery which I don’t recall my son ever having to do.
I also admired the privacy curtains which I bet most patients wouldn’t give thought to. They looked brand new with fresh creases. The nurse was surprised that I noticed and confirmed, “Yes, we replace them daily!” As someone who has looked at many a dingy privacy curtain over the years, I think it’s wonderful a hospital changes theirs every morning.
What have you appreciated in one hospital that you didn’t see or experience in another? Share why this difference was important to you.
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10 Replies
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What an excellent topic @Colleen! I look forward to reading others’ feedback on this. Isn’t it strange how we notice different things at different times?
The view from that hospital bed is much different than other places in the room. Like you, I’ve always thought those curtains were dingy and old. That’s amazing they change them daily. I doubt all hospitals do, though. With various hospitalizations at different locations, we do observe things. But the ones I’ve been in never change that curtain. Now, I wonder if there are any and how many charge those germ catchers after a discharge. When I worked in hospital settings, I never saw them take those curtains down upon discharge. Hopefully, now it is much better.
One thing I notice is how different hospitals have computers inside patient rooms. Some, most I see, have the rolling cart. Also, some rooms are much larger, and the bathrooms, too. Other times, it’s like a small closet for a room and an even smaller bathroom.
Thanks Colleen, I am not thinking hard on this one.
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What I have observed is how health care facilities in different countries manage their clients’ comfort. In one of the hospitals they provided warm blankets to patients when they waited for long times, it was helpful when I was nervous.
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Hi, @alex616 , that’s such an important difference, as I call it, “creature comforts.” I LOVE it when the blankets are warm. It helps to be more comfortable when we have to be there.
Food they serve is another difference, and how they serve it. For example, some get the same meal unless your doctor has ordered a specific diet like heart healthy. But other hospitals, even if we have heart healthy ordered, we can choose from several choices off a menu. It’s like room service at a hotel. When they do offer the emenu style ordering, I feel it is better tasting food, most often, too. What about you?
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I’ve also noticed how food varies in hospitals. Having a menu to choose from feels much nicer and definitely makes the meals taste better!
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Yes, you’re so right, @alex616 . I can also bet the hospitals don’t have much leftover food waste when offering the menu option. For example, earlier this year, I was in a “hold-over” for the ER for days, and that was someone dropping off a cart of trays, and no one even noticed for some time that the food became cold. There were about 15 trays just from that area that went untouched because of this. I’ve spoken to the dietary manager and the patient liaisons about these issues in several hospitals.
Have you ever voiced your concerns about any food delivery issues at the hospital? If so, who did you share your concerns with and ghow did that go?
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@alex616 good point! Food and it’s delivery, as @jen-cueva mentions, does seem to be unique to each hospital. A trick my son and I figured out is asking the nursing staff what they think is the best thing to order, and if you have a caregiver staying with you, ask what’s best on the cafeteria menu so they can go grab something and bring it back if allowed. As far as food being cold, it’s nice when there is a microwave somewhere on the floor so caregivers can at least heat the food up if needed. But if the patient is there alone then a microwave isn’t any good to them.
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@alex616 @jen-cueva @carol-volckmann yes! Great observations made by the 3 of you!
Warmed blankets is such a nice touch, especially when they are also offered to the caregiver. I’m happy to say that more times than not when Cullen has been offered a warmed blanket, I was asked if I would like one too.
When I think about the rooms being cleaned daily my mind goes to that staff. I have found they enter rooms respectfully and try work quietly. I always thank them afterward and wish them a good day.
I would love to hear from other members about the little things that mean a lot when hospitalized.
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Hi @Colleen , yes, when I see the clean staff, they are always quiet and quickly clean the room. They work hard not to disturb those who are resting. This made me think back to when I had COVID during Thanksgiving; the housekeeper wanted to take me home. Although I don’t recall much of that hospitalization, my nurse’s assistant and housekeeper were two people I remembered who were kind and just lovely souls.
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It seems the smallest thing can make such a big difference. Wrap you up in a warm blanket, a clean room that gets cleaned every day, nurses and doctors shut the curtains and doors when asked, before leaving your room – asking if there is anything else you need, choosing from a menu and … the food is still warm when it arrives!
All of us have probably been in many different hospitals – courtesy, respect and a willingness to help, treating you like a human being instead of someone on conveyor belt. It is so important.
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Yes, @carol-volckmann , you are so on point! Warm blankets, warm food, and a warm and gentle heart are all appreciated. You know, when we are in the hospital, respect, courtesy, and support are always a plus and should be the norm. Yet, we all know it isn’t always.
🤗
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