That intern’s comment will go down in history. Now I have a herstory for you. It’s from the third eye, the other person in the room. First, I’ve news for that intern, that “worst wife” is probably the best patient advocate in history. I would certainly have her by my bedside to set things straight if I was in the hospital.
I’ve done it, been by the bed. We took shifts waiting for the doctor and having a list of questions that needed to be answered the next day. Then we’d miss the doc. Or the doc would come for two minutes and we couldn’t ask if there would be complications with X or why wasn’t s/he getting Y??? We had spent 24 hours getting that list of questions down to the bone and still they weren’t answered.
We didn’t know how to “work the system” or mess things up so people would actually talk to us. Ask the nurses and they’re great and can take care of a lot of things especially when THEY can call the doctor and get more pain meds or whatever is needed, but ask any questions and they say “ask the doctor.” There goes another 24-hour round of waiting for the doctor and asking a question if there’s time to do so.
I have an idea. Let’s start with insurance companies. They hedge their bets and really are investment entities that are not accountable nationally. Yes, they’re regulated state-by-state, by their choice. They exist to make money for themselves.
Now doctors. I’m not concerned about them after they get out of residency because they’re making money and will make more once we take care of the insurance companies.
Now, the nurses, if they were paid a living wage without being unionized, and didn’t have to spend time switching shifts and juggling vacation time they are our first line of defense and are there for patients and would even have more time for them.
Make insurance companies subject to national laws. Make sure a certain percentage of their income goes to paying claims. That means hospitals, doctors and nurses will have more money and more time to spend with patients that will lead to better care. Do I know why this didn’t happen in the recent Health Care Bill? Yes! When I was a starving legislative analyst making 14K per year I knew which lobbyist parties to crash. Insurance and banking. And who got bailed out by the taxpayers and are now giving the green to their top employees? You got it. I probably got six shrimp out of that deal for what I’m paying now in taxes. And I’m not talking about the lobbyists.
No matter what, always be kind to your nurses. They can make magical things happen. And the Helgas of the world who make your life miserable in recovery will become your best friend upon your release, just like a drill sergeant. They made you whole. Cheers, Dee
Cooking with Dee 