To Emergency Room people and Hospital people

[Handbag Lady]

Thank you.

On Christmas day I was rushed to the ER for serious stomach and back pains. We had no idea what it was and felt so bad for having to go in on Christmas.

It turned out I had a gall bladder attack and I had emergency surgery. I've been home two days and can sit up now on my own and I seem to be recovering well.

I just wanted to thank all ER and hospital people who have to work on holidays. I was scared and the nurses and doctors were really nice and explained each step along the way. In all, had about 9 people attend to me over five days and only one person seemed to need a better bedside manner, although their medical knowledge was great.

It was my first time in the hospital overnight and my first surgery. My surgical nurse was just a total rockstar and not only had me in good hands, she also managed somehow to calm my over-wrought and worried husband, too.

Would it be appropriate to send them flowers in the new year? I'm open to other ideas as well, perhaps a donation in their name to their hospital?

 

[mickeymedic]

Medical personnel do not hear "thank you" nearly often enough. Anything you do - a thank you note, flowers, etc. will be greatly appreciated.

 

[mamajoan]

I am sure the ER staff would appreciate a written Thank you note sent to them and to the Hospital administration. A thank you gift is a very nice idea... food is always a big hit, something everyone on the shift can share.

Hope you feel well soon!

 

[minkydog]

Thanks for starting this thread. If you really want to show the love, send pizza. I've been an =RN for 32yrs and I've worked my fair share of holidays. I never minded being at work on those days/nights--people get sick, get hurt, and they need care. Most of the units I've worked on the staff brings food and cokes and make a big ol' party out of being there. Might as well, because we have to work anyway. No reason to be mad about it.

Let's all remember the healthcare workers, plus emergency personnel and military because they're on duty as well. I know that the majority of them have families or friends who will be celebrating without them. But I also know from experience that most of them show up for work with a good attitude and genuine concern for those of us who find ourselves in need of assistance.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

This post made me smile. I'm an RN, who is working right now! It's a slow night on the unit, that is why I am on the dis! But it is nice to feel appreciated and that I do meaningful work, even if it means having to be away from my loved ones on NYE.

 

[Handbag Lady]

This post made me smile. I'm an RN, who is working right now! It's a slow night on the unit, that is why I am on the dis! But it is nice to feel appreciated and that I do meaningful work, even if it means having to be away from my loved ones on NYE.

Oh, as a recent patient, can I just say that I am sorry I had to buzz the buzzer so many times for assistance in peeing? They pumped me full of saline and I was hooked to the IV, yet I couldn't bend over to unplug the darned thing to go by myself. (and one night the buzzer broke. I thought I was going to die!)

 

[imabrat]

I hear you, medical staff are some of the greatest people in the world! I remember 2 years ago, I had my knee replacement at 14 (I had cancer) and I was terrified. My anesthesiologist was AWESOME! She calmed me soooo much, and even let me bring my stuffed Dumbo into the OR. We saw her this past summer at the hospital and she was so surprised to see me. She still remembered how I brought Dumbo into the OR.

OP, glad to hear you're recovering. Keep getting better!

 

[RNMOM]

I agree, anything you do will be met with gratitude. Most importantly you might consider writing a letter to the head of the hospital. Even the operator at the switchboard can give you that information. Let them know how much you appreciated your care and ask for them to be informed of your praise. Give him your date of birth and dates you were in the hospital so they can pull your records. Wouldn't it be nice if each person you name had a note put in their personal file?

 

[DisneyDudet]

The best thing that our patients do for us is sending a letter of recognition to our human resources or administration. This gets forwarded to our directors and then, ultimately, us. Getting a personal thank you is always great!

I hate being away from my family for the holidays I work, but I know that those laying in those beds hate it even more so. I try to make the holidays a little brighter, and if I can make someone smile or laugh, I've done a good job.

I am sorry you had to have such an 'exciting' holiday, but I really appreciate your thoughtfulness for us healthcare workers!

Wishing you a smooth recovery!

 

[louey]

Thanks to all the healthcare workers!!!
My mom was in ICU this past summer and I have to say everyone was extremely kind and considerate. Even the lady pushing a cart down the hallway pushed it aside to show me where the gift shop was. My mom couldn't say enough nice things about everyone of the nurses! Also my brother and sisters and I had all these questions and honestly they never brushed us off. I went out and bought 2 lbs of Godiva Candy and a Thank You card and had it sent to them.
It is really refreshing when the people taking care of our loved ones in the hospital no matter what time of night, whether it is a holiday or weekend do it with kindness.
Unfortunately she is in the hospital right now for something else, she had to have (3) stints put in today and has to go back in a couple of weeks to have another heart cath done to fix a couple more. Again, she has nothing but nice things to say about everyone. Sorry so long but Thanks to the Nurses who take care of our loved ones

 

[scottishduffy]

I am Nurse Anesthetist resident right now and I worked Christmas Eve and Day. Let me tell you, there must have been a sale on gallbladder and appendix removals!

In those two evening I did anesthesia to take out 2 gallbladders and 4 appendixes. The attending docs said they always get that sort of thing on holidays.

One couple was on their honeymoon when the woman needed her appendix out. That will be a cute story in a few years.

P.S. Bring us fruit and nuts! Everyone feels compelled to bring us junk food (even our own staff) and it is nice to get healthy stuff once in a blue moon.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

What a sweet post...DM just returned from the ER. tonight they had a stabbing, rape & tons of H1N1.

I know most of the time they eat on the run so a note & bagels, cookies or fruit is always appreciated.

Glad your recovery is going so well

 

[MouseketeerOvaHere]

The best thing that our patients do for us is sending a letter of recognition to our human resources or administration. This gets forwarded to our directors and then, ultimately, us. Getting a personal thank you is always great!

^^This. Sometimes we get incentives for cafeteria vouchers or service awards. A letter of thanks goes so far, that most times no gift is necessary. Only thing I ask, please include all of those that tended to your care that you appreciated, such as lab, radiology, nurses, Dr.'s, registration, ect. Even though you may not remember their names, the Thank You insures that the job they are doing is appreciated.

Here's to a speedy recovery and a Happy and healthy New Year!

 

[Disneylover79]

I am an RN in a Surgical ICU... I want to say thank you for all the kind words..I do agree with a couple of PP and say that you should send a letter of thanks to the administration that way it trickles down the "ladder" and everyone can see, what few people say "thank you"....I am glad your stay and surgery went great

 

[mickeyboat]

Hope you are on the road to a quick recovery.

 

[happygirl]

Thank you.

On Christmas day I was rushed to the ER for serious stomach and back pains. We had no idea what it was and felt so bad for having to go in on Christmas.

It turned out I had a gall bladder attack and I had emergency surgery. I've been home two days and can sit up now on my own and I seem to be recovering well.

I just wanted to thank all ER and hospital people who have to work on holidays. I was scared and the nurses and doctors were really nice and explained each step along the way. In all, had about 9 people attend to me over five days and only one person seemed to need a better bedside manner, although their medical knowledge was great.

It was my first time in the hospital overnight and my first surgery. My surgical nurse was just a total rockstar and not only had me in good hands, she also managed somehow to calm my over-wrought and worried husband, too.

Would it be appropriate to send them flowers in the new year? I'm open to other ideas as well, perhaps a donation in their name to their hospital?

I would let them know how much you appreciate them. Fill out comment cards. I would send a cookie tray or something like that I think they would use that more then flowers. It hard to divide flowers up.

 

[LaraK]

If you send food....send a letter as well. I'm the person in my hospital who processes all those compliments. Each employee is individually recognized and has additional opportunities for reward (employee of the quarter/month types of things).

Also, you may get a survey after your stay. I don't know about other hospitals, but we recognize any individual mentioned by name on these surveys....they go into a drawing for a GENEROUS reward.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thank you for this thread. It's refreshing.

This was my Christmas to work. We had a lot of families bring us things, which was very thoughtful and much appreciated. On our unit, we love coffee. Sometimes families or patients will give us a bag of Dunkin Donuts labeled for each shift and that's a real treat.

Hope you're feeling better, HL.

 

[Planogirl]

What a wonderful idea for a thread!

I remember once being in a small town in the Arkansas Ozarks and developing a terrible problem on Thanksgiving Day. This was the type of thing that a doctor would have normally handled but I was so uncomfortable that I went to the ER. The people there were super and they even billed me at home. I was so glad that they were there and I'm grateful that you brought this up.

I'm glad that you're doing well too.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I would forgo the flowers. Many hospitals are starting to ban them because bacteria hang out in the stagnant water and can cause hospital acquired infections.

A thank you card sounds wonderful. My mom had to work Christmas in the microbiology lab of her hospital. She either works Thanksgiving or Christmas so I grew up having holidays around my mom's work schedule. It's no big deal to us, but I know that she doesn't hear thank you all that often. I'm sure they would love to hear from you.