"Overseas Hospital Experience"

One Sunday mid sept I encountered a need for medical treatment. We were sent to Aberdeen, over an hour away, for care. We arrived at after midnight only to be greeted with disregard, annoyance and irritation. We were told to go wait in the day room until we could be seen.

A couple of hours later someone finally came in to talk to us and when we asked why it took so long the Doctor seeing us stated she was busy with other patients. Why couldn't someone have communicated to us about a wait, or when and whom we might be seen by. The doctor then walked us down the hall for an examination and one of the ladies at the desk stated the room was not ready for an examination. Are you kidding? we have been here for over 2 hours with the same ladies sitting in the same spot when we got there and a room was not available?

The doctor then walked us back to the day room and we sat again for another hour. When the examination happened they told us it would be a few hours before a surgeon would come so we would wait until then. Wait! What did they say? Not at any point did anyone talked to us about being admitted to a hospital or going to Theatre (no one bothered to explain what that meant till the next day).

The communication was seriously lacking and for someone not of your country and not understanding your policy for pts we were appalled. You see both of us are medical professionals in the states. We fully understand how to treat a patient and how not to treat a patient. We understand their fear of being in a hospital and especially in a foreign country. We know how to communicate, help them to not feel so scared or unsure about a situation. We know how to help reduce the anxiety of a very foreign situation. We, nor any of our co workers ever treat anyone the way the employees of the 209 Ward did on this night. We told the doctor we would not wait and endure this treatment/or waiting any further, that we would leave and return in the morning. But before we returned we asked that someone at least clean the room from all the blood on the chairs and floor they expected us to sit on. Seriously lacking in infection control!

The next morning we arrived back to the unit and were greeted by an RN who took us to the same room we were in a few hours previously and took our information. At least now the blood was cleaned up. She took our information and asked us to wait. She informed us it might be a little bit as the doctors were seeing their current patients before getting us then offered us tea or coffee. Wow, someone with manners and communication skills. Much different from the just a few hours ago.

The doctors were longer than expected and she continually communicated with us of what was happening, things we could expect from them and the possible outcomes. Her reassuring presence, calm demeanour and kindness went along way.

This was very scary to both of us, we were just 2 Americans on vacation not expecting to spend anytime in hospital where some of the most important words have completely different meanings to us. In your country Theatre means going to the Operating Room. That word for us is a play you see on Stage, i.e. Broadway. The word Surgery for us is going to the Operating Room. When the doctors came in and explained what they thought was the best way to proceed our genuine RN left us to deliberate our choices. She gave us the necessary time and privacy to choose. She checked on us often, brought tea, biscuits, tissues for the tears and above anything she brought a sincere kindness an true concern for us and our situation. She talked us through every single question we had, and we had plenty. She never acted as though she was annoyed or put out by us. Not once did she try to rush our decision or make light of our predicament. She was sympathetic and caring. How grateful we were to have such a patient and gracious nurse to guide us.

We chose to have surgery and were again amazed at her speed, precision and assistance at getting things moving. She quickly arranged for us to speak with the over seas financial department who were also very helpful. My spouse is currently living with cancer and has undergone many treatments and surgeries. We have visited many medical facilities and encountered many people.

We have never encountered such dis pleasurable people to be around as we had when we first came in. If they are that unhappy in our opinion they need a new profession. You cant stop caring for people and still be in the medical field. Our genuine RN represented your hospital, ward and all nurses with such grace and kindness that all nurses should take note of her and how she cares for all people.

If it had not been for her we would have left our vacation 2 weeks early and flown back to the states for treatment. This wonderful nurse not only saved us from an injury getting worse but she helped save a once in a life time vacation. We cannot find the words to express the deep emotional gratitude we have for her. Her standard care practice for the patients physical, mental and emotional health should be recognised and given the highest amount of praise. We will forever be grateful to her!