I had to take a friend to the emergency room at Christ Hospital on Sunday afternoon, and stayed with her until nearly 10 p m. I hadn’t been in a hospital since grandson Patrick broke his funny bone when he was 10 or 12 by falling out of a tree.
I was impressed by the invariable politeness of every staff member I met, and especially by the calm and helpful and unhurried atmosphere, even in the emergency room. These were all very professional folk, who, when they said 10 minutes, meant 10 minutes or less. I also was impressed with the amount of parking, all free, in the vicinity of the emergency room.
I was back today to visit, and found the same helpful and calm atmosphere.
I do find it astonishing that there is a by any definition unhealthy restaurant – McDonald’s or Wendy’s, they all look alike to me – on the first floor. I had a large order of fries for dinner late Sunday evening. But there was nothing I was willing to eat in the little hospital cafe – all meat sandwiches, muffins stuffed with fat, and a salad, which was topped with that yellow pseudo-cheese that looks like it would survive a nuclear blast. At that point, I gave up and moved on to the french fries.
I was impressed. But it could be this patient-centered and polite and professional care is based on focus groups, and on the hospital beginning to view patients as customers who have other choices. Whichever reasons are involved, it would certainly calm a sick and scared human being, and that is surely a good thing.
P. S. Do not think, because I’ve written this, that I now believe in sickness. I do not. But simply want to give credit where credit is due. : >