Her Grandma’s Hospital Experience.
A true event shared by Dasha Taran.
The telephone call:
In a timid voice, a sweet grandmother telephoned St. Joseph’s Hospital and asked,
“Is it possible to speak to someone who can tell me how a patient is doing?”
The operator replied,
“I’ll be glad to help, dear. What’s the name and room number of the patient?”
In her weak, tremulous voice the grandmother said,
“Norma Findlay, Room 302.”
The operator replied,
“Let me put you on hold while I check with the nurse’s station for that room.”
After a few minutes, the operator returned to the phone and said,
“Her nurse will talk to you now.”
“Who am I speaking with?”
“I am Ms. Findlay" she answered.
“I have good news, Ma’am,”
said the nurse.
“Norma is doing well. Her blood pressure is fine; her blood work just came back normal and her Physician, Dr. Cohen, has scheduled her to be discharged home tomorrow.”
The grandmother sounded delighted & said,
“Thank you. That’s wonderful. I was so worried. God bless you for the good news.”
Then the nurse replied & enquired,
“You’re more than welcome. Is Norma your sister?”
The grandmother replied,
“No, I’m Norma Findlay in Room 302. No one tells me anything.”
Source: TRUE STORY shared by Dasha Taran.
The moral of the story:
In caring for the elderly, especially in hospitals, it is not unusual to find that doctors & caregivers often neglect to inform and include our elderly as partners in their care, & progress.
Lack of communication & sharing information with the patient can lead to worry, sadness & depression, especially if family members are unavailable.
This is unkind treatment. We need to be tactful & know how to deal with our older experienced humans.