My 83 year old friend Ellen was admitted to the hospital because she was dehydrated and very weak. While in the ER I was told that she also had the beginnings of a bedsore. And while I was glad that she was admitted there were some observations that raised concerns:
- Just like in the ER health care professionals end up spending more time in front of a screen than in direct patient care.
- On Day One Ellen was given a large container of ice water with a straw so she could drink water. The person who brought it did not realize she was too weak to either lift the container or suck from the straw. I asked that she be given water in a cup and it was written on the board. When I came back on Day 2 there was a pitcher of warm water that she could not lift and the glass. I got her ice water and filled her cup. During the time I was there she drank 8 ozs of water. I told the nurse how much she had to drink but I don't think anyone was really monitoring her intake even though the reason she was admitted was dehydration.
- Ellen had asked for tissues and while I was gone they left her two boxes---unopened. I had to open one for her the next day when I returned.
- Since Ellen is very weak she is not able to eat very much. I asked if they had Ensure and they said yes. I asked that she be given chocolate Ensure because she will usually drink it. She was given vanilla. When I inquired I was told, "... they send what they have." It was not till Day four that she finally got the Chocolate Ensure.
- Although the beginning of a bedsore was pointed out to me while in the ER, Ellen was not given the special mattress to decrease the likelihood of the bedsore getting worse.
- The care team is supposed to write their name but the only ones who did so were the nurses.
Better than most, I understand the stressors in health care, but some small low cost actions ( water, edible food, the right mattress) would definitely make the patient experience one conducive to getting better.
