(Snippets from the frontline)
Who’s under the sheets?
Sometimes medical care can be impersonal.
My first surgical rotation included morning rounds where hospital admissions were identified by “the patient closest to the window, or closest to the door.” Not by name.
Later, it was important for me to not only know a patient’s name, but also provide in the dictated history worthy information of their background.
Two of my housecall patients lived together and were related by marriage. Their spouses had passed away. Neither could live on their own as they were bedridden, but extended family provided care. Surrounding them in their rooms were countless photos and memorabilia delineating their history.
She was a WAAC (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps) during WW II, and ran a successful business after the war. He was a career Army Colonel for 35 years, serving his country in three wars. Both proudly had many photos in uniform. Whenever they were hospitalized, family displayed these photos in their room. Healthcare personal noted these visual memories and always treated them with the utmost respect and dignity.
Neither were ever identified as the patient closest to the window, or closest to the door.
Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D.
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