...is what a regular room seems like after a couple nights in ICU (ie: First Class).
In First Class, when you ring the call button, someone comes within 30 seconds, ready to help. In steerage, we're lucky if they come at all and when they do they make it clear that it's a bother. A bit trying, because you don't want to be a PITA, but at the same time it's not like you can address the alarm that the IV machine is making. Crazy.
Seriously though, it IS a sign of progress to be out of of ICU, but can't they spread the empathetic nurses out a little better?
Bit of a rough night sleeping last night. No so much from the pain or physical discomfort, but from constant interuptions. Two of the three IV machines were very high maintenance. Add to that nurses and nurses aides that may may not come down in answer to your request or help, and you have a recipe for a very long night.
I'll take Riley in for his visit after his nap. Post on that tonight if able.
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Well...that just sucks! I'm sorry you're not getting rest, but I'm glad you are getting better.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there is some universal standard about ICU (ie First Class) vs hospital room (steerage). The way you describe this is exactly the same experience my family had when my mother was in the ICU a couple of years ago. There is this huge relief to get out of the ICU but then you have to deal with how you get treated in a regular hospital room.
ReplyDeleteAny idea how long Karen will have to stay in the hospital?
It sounds like Nurse LooHoo needs to go to HI!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that Karen has been doing well! I have been sending Warm Fuzzies™ your way all week! The ICU ("good") nurses don't mind working their butts off and often have an amazing sense for when "something isn't right" and the self confidence to be assertive about having concerns for their patients addressed. They also have a lower patient ratio (at my hospital, only 2 patients) so they can really get to know their patients. The floor nurses often have from 5 to 7 patients and have to delegate much of the patient care to aides. This has various repercussions: 1) the floor nurses don't get to spend as much time with each patient getting to know them and their specific needs (figure about 10 minutes per hour and that doesn't include all the ridiculous paperwork we have to fill out for each patient) and 2) the nurses often have to kiss the butts of the aides to get them to do their job since nurses are legally responsible for what the aides do (or don't do) but often have no punitive power over them. Its a tough job which can be very frustrating and that spills over to the quality of the patient care experience. That's part of the reason I chose the OR. I have one patient at a time and I can devote all my efforts to caring for and protecting my patient while they are with me...and then, just like in any profession, there are the people that just suck...And it really sucks to have to deal with that when you're hurting and feeling extremely vulnerable. Hang in there, Karen! You'll be out of there and enjoying a mai tai by the pool soon!
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