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from Sandra, at Laurens County Health Care System
As I read [Fatal Care], I reflected on how many times I have actually seen the scenarios detailed there played out in the facility that I work in. So many times, I hear caregivers and providers who are supposed to be the advocate for the patient “dismiss” their concerns as non-relevant, or judge them based on past history of alcoholism, drug abuse, social class/status, etc. I cannot describe how absolutely FURIOUS I become when I see that occur.
I wish that I could mandate that your book be required reading for every administrative team member, every Board member, every physician, and every patient caregiver in our institution. I have passed the book on to our Chief Nursing Officer and requested that she read it (she is also our Patient Safety Officer). I plan to continue passing it down to others, as well.
Just yesterday, as we were having a discussion about some clinical issues, a conversation arose regarding hand hygiene where I brought up the story of the lady from your book who had surgery on her shoulder and subsequently developed a horrible wound infection related to sloppy infection control practices and died. To my horror, the IC Coordinator who was in the meeting stated “well, she didn’t get it at the hospital”. I cannot tell you how discouraged I felt after that statement, to have someone who is actually an “expert” in that field make such a broad statement purely as a defensive mechanism. I truly believe that is the problem with healthcare in these times – we are constantly on “defensive mode”, and so many of us have lost our capability for listening and compassion for the patient.
Please keep “fighting the good fight” for patient safety, and know that there are those of us out there who truly appreciate your efforts for the weakest and most vulnerable among us.
Sandra E. Thompson, CPHQ
Director, Quality Resources/CCO
Laurens County Health Care System
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