The hospital I work for just became affiliated with Planetree Alliance. Basically, Planetree is an organization that helps hospitals become more patient centered and holistic. The hospital I work for has implemented Daily devotionals, room service, 24 hour visitation, arts, music, a GRAND PIANO in the lobby, waterfalls, and other hotel like ammenities. While the hospital management has there hearts in the right place, there brains are far gone. My shift now includes being a scripted robot - Welcome to our unit, How can I help you? I have time!
The reality of healthcare is - I DO NOT HAVE THE TIME! I have 6 or 7 patients to care for. I have meds to pass. I have my assessments to complete. I have HOURS or charting ahead of me. I have to comply with the latest JCAHO crap and HIPAA laws.
When is enough going to be enough? I don't mind if the patient has visitors, But PLEASE let me do my job. The patients safety and comfort is more important than that of the visitors. The visitors go home, my patients are hospitalized. I do not have the time (or patience) for hourly rounding/hourly charting on all of my patients. According to our nurse manager, If a patient has to use there call bell -we have failed them (Is She included in that failure aswell)?
Often times patients and there visitors are told inaccurate information by the receptionists, Pre-Admission Testing, and other such departments. They are told that we the nursing staff will provide turndown service, a mint on the pillow and private rooms.....Not in this lifetime. What thy get is a reality check of 3 or 4 beds in a room, a shower down the hall, and Q2 hour vital signs. Even if you do get a few winks of sleep, you need constant monitoring - thats why you are here. This is not a hotel for rest.
Planetree may seem nice and it is up to a certain point. But htere are lines and limits.
