Saturday, December 08, 2018

Just a Few More Days


Hello Ladies,

Thank you for your prayers for Mr. S. while he is in the hospital. He has a wounded foot and the doctors are monitoring it carefully.  The source of the injury is still a mystery.

 There are only a few more days here, so I will share some more things about this hospital.  For those who have not been following along, you need to begin reading about this on the first post. This is the third.

Above is the display case on a wall in the cafeteria.


Above, some of the fresh food. 
and below, another lookout area.

I want to also mention that all parking is free.


I thought you might be interested in the following notice posted on the walls inside the rooms. It says:

You are the reason we are here.
It is our goal to provide you with the best
patient and family-centered care.
To improve, we need to hear from you.
You may receive a questionnaire asking about your stay with us. 
Please let us know how we are doing.

I can tell you the answer to this question: They are a very calm and efficient staff, from the physicians to the housekeepers. You will never hear any swearing or discouraging words from anyone connected to this hospital.  I've been in some pretty rough places over the years and worked in an ICU in my 20's, and hospitals at one time were the worst places for bad attitudes and cursing among the staff, especially the nurses. Not so, here. Everyone is very very upbeat and positive; it is all part of the healing process, and it sure helps in uncertain times.

Some of the books and publications we receive in the mail have a similar "let us hear from you" plea, asking what people would like them to write about, etc.

At the start and end of every shift, the former staff (nurses, doctors, housekeepers, food service, and many others) come into the room to say goodbye and introduce the next person  who will be taking their place on the new shift. It sounds something like, "My name is Jack and I will be your waiter tonight" 👨  When you use the call button they come readily and cheerfully and apologize for any inconvenience. 

All vital statistics and lab results are posted on a board across from the bed so the patient can see how he is doing.

Reminds me of the overseas airplane trips where the little airplane moves across the screen as the trip progresses.

The doctors linger and talk as though they were in a classroom, explaining the structure of cells, blood, skin, and the names of things, and how it gets infected, where, when, etc. They tell what the name of the disease is and some of them will translate to the latin name.  It is like attending a class. One young doctor was so animated about his subject that I thanked him for the finely delivered lesson.

In my opinion, businesses both private and state sponsored, ought to adopt this attitude. Can you imagine a sign like this and a questionnaire in the public schools?

As there is always plenty of time and lots of waiting going on in these situations, I took a bit of R & R and went to Pinterest , to find this lovely old Laura Ashley cotton blouse and skirt.  There is an internet cafe here but I used my phone. I really like the blouse and remember many women in the 20's and some teens and girls wearing these outfits. The cotton was just so fresh and lovely against your skin.  I might even have a pattern for this blouse.


The skirt had little tucks at the hemline area.

Here it is in blue floral. Look at the lace on the sleeves here.


I also visited a place that showed how to paint a picture of a red truck:




Please keep your prayers coming for Mr. S.  He appreciates it all so much. He is doing well; just waiting for doctor's release. There has to be an agreement between several health care professionals, before this can happen, and although his condition is not life-threatening, because of his age, and to guard against any setbacks, everyone is being careful not to release him too soon.  It is a flesh wound, and no broken bones. He is walking just fine and having lots of good company.

One one floor there are patient relationship offices, and one is the pastoral care center. This is a group of people who help preachers, ministers and pastors find their members who are in the hospital, and be able to make a call on them. They encourage you to leave your church calling card, your brochures, teaching materials and Bibles with your members, your own brethren. They provide the ministers with ID cards that can clip on the lapel or pocket.

Today Mr. S. got a delightful visit from one of the staff members of that department, who stayed almost an hour.


6 comments:

amulbunny's random thoughts said...

Glad S is coming along. A good attitude and the ability to laugh aids healing.

When I taught high school, we had 5 slogans that the students needed to appreciate in their journey through education. We were proud of the slogans and They were in every classroom.

Our pastor came to see my mom every single day she was in the hospital, nursing home, and back to the hospital till the day she died. It was so comforting to have him up there.


Polly said...

Praying for his rapid recovery! Isn't it wonderful to have a good hospital experience? When my husband stayed at UNC after his cancer surgery in July, we were amazed at what a good experience it was. The staff was fantastic, rooms spotlessly clean, and everyone jumped at the chance to help. It really was encouraging! So glad Mr. S is getting good care from a kind and friendly staff. It makes all the difference.

Lydia said...

Their aim seems to be to send everyone home in better condition than when they came. They call the patients "guests" ;-) They know we can all get on yelp and give a review. I once gave a good review for my dentist, and when I was next in his office, he couldn't do enough for me. I wonder though if they give reviews on the patients and the customers. I think there should be a lot more effort the other way so that people realize they have a responsibility to be nice; not just the professionals.

Mrs. White said...

I have been following along and reading the updates. The hospital is lovely and I think that helps with healing. The staff and environment sounds wonderful. You are both in my thoughts and prayers!

joanie said...

Lydia,
I hate to use a comment section to do this, but the email function ( to you) is not working for me. Neither are the theme articles, pertinent posts, or about this blog. When I choose one of those things to read a message reads "Sorry the page you were looking for does not exist." I know you are busy, but I thought you would want to know so you could look into later, after you get your husband back home and settled. I am glad to hear your husband is on the mend!!

Lydia said...

I will try and fix that tonight. Thanks for telling me.