Meeting with the good Dr.

"G" had an appt. today with the good Dr. It was very nice, last for 45 minutes or more, but the first 1/2 hour she could not get into the computer, so that was some of the reason for the length.

"G" had not been given his high blood pressure meds in the morning, because he was out for therapy, and the nurses can't get it together to give him his meds when they should.

At least when the Dr. finally got into the computer, she could see he had not been given his meds, and she said she would put a call into the manager at the nursing unit.

We advised her we had mentioned this problem many times to the Dr. at the nursing unit, but as the nurses don't report to him, they just say "yes I will do it", and then they walk away and don't (as was the case with changing the bandage).

There is also a problem that although the p/t and o/t have given "G" a note with the times they will do his therapy, they have not put it into the computer, so others who are scheduling appts., etc. don't know he already has something booked. The speech therapist was the one who put me onto this, because when I told her they had given him a note with his times for therapy she said "I hope they put it in the computer".

At least the speech therapist is going over and above her job. She has already arranged for appts. for hearing, and podiatry, and has discussed with "G" getting him a device which reminds one 4 times a day to take meds. She will also get him an i-pod.

People like her gives one a little hope that there are good ones around. Just like the "good Dr.".

I phoned and spoke with the patient advocate about trying to get the appts. in the computer. It is becoming apparent that she doesn't like her job, isnt' very good at it, and told me that today was her 53rd birthday, and she is counting down until she can retire at 55.

But, I am not giving up.
Perhaps I can convince her she can make a change in the care which is given, in these last 2years of her career.

We shall see.