[Sidney Lanier]

... following is a letter I wrote today to Thomas Menton, VP/CEO of TV Regional Hospital, from which I've removed only the names of individuals involved in my treatment. Granted it's the experience of only one individual--me--that I'm sharing with my fellow TOTVers and other Villages residents, and I will similarly be sending it as a letter to the editor to the POA Newsletter:

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I am writing this letter because the questionnaire I’d been sent to complete regarding my treatment in the Emergency Department on December 16 doesn’t allow me to express completely my appreciation for the incredibly outstanding care I received that day following an accident that morning. Briefly, I took a bad fall on very unforgiving concrete, resulting in inconsequential scrapes and bruises but really tearing up my left hand pretty badly: two broken fingers, two severe lacerations, and the worst possible dislocation. I know that I will be long in healing; I also know that that healing started well that morning!

I was in the waiting area for no more than a couple of minutes, taken quickly into the triage nurse ... who was upbeat and humorous while “processing” me quickly to get me into the emergency room itself. I was made as comfortable as possible there. Though I saw the emergency room physician only briefly and not again—and the nurse on duty a few times and again only briefly, including for an injection of antibiotics—during the time of my stay, I must say that my care was exceptional.

My primary care was provided by Physician Assistant ..., who had the unpleasant task of reducing my severely dislocated finger, after first administering a series of Novocain injections around my hand, and then stitching up two lacerations that were so severe that on one finger my tendon was protruding through the wound, and this after more injections. I generally have a high pain threshold, and I’ve been through a lot of surgical procedures in my life, but this exceeded anything I had ever experienced.... I likely did not make it easier for ..., but he was so focused and intent on what he had to do while at the same time chatting with my wife and me and constantly offering reassurances. When he spoke of my waiting for the hand surgeon (...), all I could think of was “Oh no, not again!” as I had just had hand surgery up north in July. When ... [hand surgeon] did finally see it, her response was, “Well, it looks like my initial job has been done for me.” Amazing!

The bulk of the rest of my hands-on care (no pun intended ...) was provided by Health Services Technician .... He was extremely conscientious about instructions given to him by ... [P.A.], was so careful in cleaning me up and bandaging me to do it accurately while at the same time careful to cause me the least discomfort. He was reassuring at a time when both my wife and I really needed reassurance, and he even managed to round me up some packages of graham crackers and containers of juice when I realized that I had not eaten since the day before. Someone else—not sure who—also managed to scare me up—in spite of what’s said about hospital food—a really good sliced turkey dinner!

I’d like to mention one more person who, I’ve just learned, was not a hospital employee but likely a radiology tech student, and all I think I remember is a first name: .... She could not have been more compassionate in her having to position my badly damaged hand for x-rays , and she never once walked by without stopping to smile and ask how I was doing. I would like to acknowledge her to her placement supervisor, and to this end I just left a phone message with the Director of Radiology.

Though I’d never been an emergency care patient before, I have certainly taken enough people to hospital emergency rooms. I know that much depends on who else has come or been brought in for emergency care, and I know too that the administration of hospital emergency departments by default become responsible for more than just emergencies, given that about one-sixth of the population have no health coverage and are forced to rely on the emergency room as their primary health care. There is no way for anyone to know if there will be two or twelve or twenty-two or more patients in the waiting area at a given moment, and truthfully, given the condition I was in when I came in, I couldn’t say if it was quiet or crowded. All I know is that I received exceptional care—and I also know that human nature is such that people are quick to complain but slow to compliment, and this is why I am taking the time to write this letter and to acknowledge that I could not have been in better hands. Many thanks, and best wishes for a healthy and peaceful new year!

[bogart]

Love to hear positive comments, especially with regards to healthcare. Thank you, SL, for
sharing your experience at TV Regional hospital.

[Herb]

Sidney, You have written a very nice letter. I hope that you continue to heal well. Herb

[Cassie325]

This is a very well written letter and I appreciate reading it. I, too, had a wonderful experience at the ER (as wonderful as double ear infection treatement goes at 4am).

I have also heard many positive things about the hospital in the last several months!

Thank you for sharing this and thank you for writing it!!

Too many times we hear or read the negative....this was very uplifting to read!

On another note....I am sorry to hear about your fall and wish you speedy recovery.

[graciegirl]

I just can't believe that Hyacinth could lose it like that.


I am going to edit this and tell everyone that I am teasing Hyacinth and David who are sweet, wonderful, witty people. When a friend shows up with a black eye, people who love them are gonna give them a little grief. I know that F16 was kidding Hyacinth too. She is so much fun and I know we both think the world of both of them. Someone communicated that I wasn't being very nice. I am so sorry if I misled anyone.

[redwitch]

Sidney, great letter. When I had the my first, last and only gall bladder attack last year, the ER staff was truly amazing in my mind. I've been in many ERs over the years -- as kid because of falls; as an adult mainly for migraines but on occasion for other things. TVRH honestly was the best one I had ever been in.

I was seen promptly by the triage nurse. Sent back to the waiting room for maybe 5 minutes and was back and in a treatment room. While the waiting room was not busy, the treatment rooms were all full and people were certainly hustling to take care of patients. I was seen within 10 minutes, blood was drawn and was told I was going into surgery immediately.

I'm with you, I can't say enough good things about the staff in the hospital. I was treated well from the second I arrived (and they went out of their way to assure Jess I would be fine even though the risks were pretty high for me) until I was discharged from the hospital. Unfortunately, I really didn't get any names but I did write a note of appreciation and brought cookies to the ER, the volunteer desk and my floor nurses.

I'm sorry for those who have had long waits when going to the loval ER. Sadly, this happens everywhere. That's why there is a triage nurse -- to determine who needs to be seen first. It may not look busy but you don't know what is going on around back. It could be a heart attack, it could a major automobile accident, it could be doctors standing around and talking.

Migraines w/cluster headaches are excruciatingly painful but not life threatening. Therefore, I've had to sit anywhere from 20 minutes to 4 hours waiting to see someone to get my shot. I didn't like it but I did understand.

Anyway, thanks for posting your very thoughtful and kind letter.

[rshoffer]

Nice letter. The ER staff will surely appreciate it. Unfortunately, the POA editors will not. A number of weeks ago the POA very inaccurately sensationalized the Joint Commission full accreditation of TV hospital. They wrote their "above the fold" headline of "problems found during the accreditation process" out of complete ignorance of the survey process or what it means to get FULL ACCREDITATION. I wrote them a letter (to the editor) and tried to explain the whole process (I've been through many surveys and was the chair of the Quality Assurance Committe for a 500+ bed hospital for 2 years). I pointed out that 100% of surveyd hospitals have problems identified, ie never does any hospital complete this very arduous survey and inspection process without areas to improve quality being identified. However, if the hopital receives FULL ACCREDITATION (which TV hospital did), then that is a very positive thing and the headline should have been exactly that.... "TVRH receives full accreditation after Joint Commission hospital survey". My letter was a waste of time. The editors response to my letter indicated my point and information went right over their heads or that they simply wouldn't admit the positive if it hit them square between the eyes.

[F16 1UB]

.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by rshoffer

Nice letter. The ER staff will surely appreciate it. Unfortunately, the POA editors will not. A number of weeks ago the POA very inaccurately sensationalized the Joint Commission full accreditation of TV hospital. They wrote their "above the fold" headline of "problems found during the accreditation process" out of complete ignorance of the survey process or what it means to get FULL ACCREDITATION. I wrote them a letter (to the editor) and tried to explain the whole process (I've been through many surveys and was the chair of the Quality Assurance Committe for a 500+ bed hospital for 2 years). I pointed out that 100% of surveyd hospitals have problems identified, ie never does any hospital complete this very arduous survey and inspection process without areas to improve quality being identified. However, if the hopital receives FULL ACCREDITATION (which TV hospital did), then that is a very positive thing and the headline should have been exactly that.... "TVRH receives full accreditation after Joint Commission hospital survey". My letter was a waste of time. The editors response to my letter indicated my point and information went right over their heads or that they simply wouldn't admit the positive if it hit them square between the eyes.

Your letter was the best written piece I've read in that "rag". As I read it I could almost guess what the response would be. The POA will have nothing to do with any thing that will distract from their " hospital witch hunt".
They have lost their credibility with this hospital fiasco!

[Russ_Boston]

Thanks SL - In the very near future I hope to become an RN at the TVRH ED. This kind of service is not uncommon throughout the country. Patients have to understand that triage needs to take place and unfortunately sore throats and turned ankles need to wait until all real emergency cases are taken care of. Sometimes the ER is slow and you get looked at right away. At other times you need to be patient (pun intended).

Russ

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Your letter was the best written piece I've read in that "rag". As I read it I could almost guess what the response would be. The POA will have nothing to do with any thing that will distract from their " hospital witch hunt".
They have lost their credibility with this hospital fiasco!

Time to be serious......
I can't help but tease Sydney. We are all glad David is on the mend and Hyacinth we love you too. It was a beautifully written piece David and I was glad to read it.

I had read the recent POA newsletter that had overwhelming criticism of the hospital. It is hard for me to read anything from POA, because in my opinion, no subject is fairly presented and the stories are so obviously biased. Even if truth was present and it probably is to some degree, the whole structure of that newsletter appears to be to "get" the developer. They need a new leader and a new editor.

Their negativism just doesn't sit well with me.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Hi GG what do you mean?

I made record time getting to the ER and also record time in getting him seen. I also bandaged him so well he did not bleed all over the car. The hospital waiting room - well ....

F16 Really now! Not to sure I will rush you to the ER, as fast as I got Sid there. LOL

HB

[serenityseeker]

Excellent letter Sydney.

I agree that sending it or anything positive about the hospital to the POA is likely a waste of time. Their over the top sensationalist, completely one sided witch hunt and subsequent "reporting" (THAT'S a stretch) of anything to do with the hospital robs them of any credibility they might have at one time held.

rshoffer states it succinctly and accurately...somthing I doubt the POA is interested in.

My family and aquaintences that have been treated there have overwhelmingly been satisfied or very satisfied with their care. Obviously no institution can be perfect, and it is so much more difficult in healthcare. Your letter is likely indicative of the sentiments of many others out there, unfortunately certain segments of society thrive on negativity and that "plays" better for some publications.

Thank you for taking the time to relay your experience so that a balanced view is available.

And no, I don't work with nor am I in any way affiliated with the hospital.

[novelchick]

i don't know about the "negativity" ref the hospital because all the daily sun prints is the "good news" so therefore all we get is one side. I want to hear both sides so i do read the poa bulletin which expresses the bad along with the good.

[Best Mom]

novelchick,
I so like your honest posts!