The Importance of High-Quality Care

• 10/29/2009
• Author: Audrie Bretl Roelf
• Category: Benchmark Blog
• 19949 Views
• 0 Comments
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You might have noticed my hiatus from this blog for a few weeks. I wish I could say I was on a European vacation but the truth is, I broke one ankle and sprained the other with a “graceful” fall in my garage. This landed me in the surgical suite of a local hospital.

The care at this hospital could not have been better. The nurses were extremely attentive and there was no waiting for days to have help to the bathroom after pushing the nurse call button. The surgical team made me feel at ease before the procedure, and the food was even pretty good. What really grabbed my attention was the way the new nurses knew my situation and how that communication had happened before the nurses came into my room, no matter the shift. I don’t know what the hospital’s handoff processes were, but they were effective. And there was one nice touch added with my discharge paperwork—the surgical team and my nurses gave me a get-well card that was personally signed. It even included little details of my stay.  It made me feel like more than just another patient.

For me, it’s the personal details that make me feel like I’ve been provided with high-quality care. This is where I think we can learn from each other. What are some of the touches you’ve experienced, either as a patient or an employee? What are some of your ideas of quality care? Maybe in sharing experiences new ideas will spark.