I know I've written a lot about Missouri Baptist Medical Center lately. Partially because they're my client, partially because I've been a patient there for an extended time, and partially because they continue to impress me.
K, so ya know how before surgery you've gotta strip off all your own clothes and put on the gown and all that stuff? Well, however it happened, my tray full o' stuff (tee shirt, sandals, basketball shorts and a couple personal items) ended up, well, not with me. Maybe it was the extensive surgery, maybe we just never looked under the bed again-whatever the reason, I came home barefoot (luckily, I did have another pair of shorts!)
Tonight, a large package comes through the mail. You guessed it! All my stuff!
The most valueable thing in this load was my sandals...and really, they're probably a year old and weren't exactly a designer brand to begin with. If I'd never gotten these items back, I wouldn't have been singin' the blues. But since they ARE back? All I can say is...another Mo Bap moment!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tweet Tweet
I've been terribly lax on blogging and Tweeting as of late, but thanks to a new Twitter client, I think I'll be getting back into it, head first!
Due to Twitter being a microblog, it's hard to think anything really in depth will be shared as far as patient care. Still, maybe you'll get a good laugh once in a while! Follow me at:
www.Twitter.com/MarcusEngel
Due to Twitter being a microblog, it's hard to think anything really in depth will be shared as far as patient care. Still, maybe you'll get a good laugh once in a while! Follow me at:
www.Twitter.com/MarcusEngel
Blood Everywhere...Really?
The lovely and talented Ms. Marvelyne and I visited a new doctor a few days ago. The practice wanted to get a baseline of her blood work, so after seeing the doc, we waited in the waiting room for the vampire. This was a simple blood extraction; nothing fancy. The flubotomist(did I spell that right?) asked if she wanted to have the draw sitting there, or would we rather go back to the lab...She (my wife) said, "It doesn't matter to me, wherever is better for you."
Now...wait for it, wait for it.....
The vampire's response: "Let's go back to the lab, just in case we get blood everywhere."
Really? Is that something that comforts the patient? The potential of their precious blood being smeared all over the room? Yeesh!
When conversing with a patient, take a moment or two to think about your words. Do they make the patient feel like he/she is in good hands? Does your statement offer comfort? Support? Does it abide by the simple notion: First, do no harm?
As you may expect, this did not go well. It took two or three sticks and the vampire seemed more anxious than Marvelyne. I firmly believe this wasn't completely due to incompetence, but to a self fulfilling prophecy. When the statement about blood everywhere was made, both Marvelyne and I said something like, "Wow, that's comforting!" That 10 second communication set the stage; a vampire uncomfortable with his own abilities, a patient feeling their care is incompetent...not a good combination. Think for just a split second before choosing the words you say to a patient...it can set the stage for excellence...or disaster.
Now...wait for it, wait for it.....
The vampire's response: "Let's go back to the lab, just in case we get blood everywhere."
Really? Is that something that comforts the patient? The potential of their precious blood being smeared all over the room? Yeesh!
When conversing with a patient, take a moment or two to think about your words. Do they make the patient feel like he/she is in good hands? Does your statement offer comfort? Support? Does it abide by the simple notion: First, do no harm?
As you may expect, this did not go well. It took two or three sticks and the vampire seemed more anxious than Marvelyne. I firmly believe this wasn't completely due to incompetence, but to a self fulfilling prophecy. When the statement about blood everywhere was made, both Marvelyne and I said something like, "Wow, that's comforting!" That 10 second communication set the stage; a vampire uncomfortable with his own abilities, a patient feeling their care is incompetent...not a good combination. Think for just a split second before choosing the words you say to a patient...it can set the stage for excellence...or disaster.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
An Update And Some Up-To-Date Thanks
If you've wondered why there haven't been any "Stethoscope" blog posts as of late, I've got your answer! It's a long story, but I'll try to give you the Cliff Notes version...
First, it was an extremely busy spring. From my last post, there was another several weeks of travelling and speaking. Hope to be able to update this blog with pics from several health care programs from that time frame.
Then came May 5. Just three days after I turned 35, I went into Missouri Baptist Medical Center for some scheduled surgery. On the docket that day was an inguinal hernia repair, abdominal/incisional hernia repair, some further reconstructive work on my face and a little bit of cosmetic surgery, just to put the icing on the cake. Surgery was performed by two awesome surgeons and lasted about 12 hours. Whew!
A few days after surgery, we realized something was very, very wrong. My bowels had not kicked in since surgery and I was in a whole, WHOLE lot of pain. A few X rays and CT scans later it was determined that, due to abdominal scar tissue and a lengthy surgery, I'd developed a bowel obstruction. Into emergency surgery and several more days of hospitalization. What should have been a trip to Mo Bap for one surgery and three nights of hospitalization turned into two operations and 11 nights of hospitalization.
First and foremost, a HUGE thank you goes to Dr. Omar Guerra and Dr. Timothy Jones for taking such good care of me. Next, thank you to my nurses and techs for helping so, SO much. Finally, to our friend, Jeff Robinson, and my mom-in-law, Faith Fredrick, for flying to STL to help Marvelyne during this lengthy hospitalization.
Another big THANK You goes to my parents and a handfull of other close friends for really helping Marvelyne by helping with Carson, bringing her coffee or taking a shift at the hospital so she could rest. Now, onto chapter 2 of this saga...
A week after being discharged from Mo Bap and coming home to Orlando, I hadn't progressed. In fact, I was hurting more and had less energy; precisely the opposite of healing. To the ER here in Orlando where (after an obligatory 5 hour wait), it was determined that the incision site from the bowel obstruction repair was infected...and bad. Next day, back into surgery (this time by Dr. Davis at Florida Hospital-East.) Infection cleaned out and, thankfully, had been contained in the abcess area. Yet, cultures returned that the infection was a particularly nasty, antibiotic resistant strain of something gross. Five more days of hospitalization and IV antibiotics and I was sent home with a handy dandy Picc line and orders to go to wound care and rcv 8 days of IV antibiotics.
Thanks goes to, first, Eric, a nurse in the Florida Hospital east ER for giving me extra drugs. A five hour uncomfortable wait deserves some extra pain killers and relaxation drugs...and Eric knew that. Next, thanks to Dr. Murphy, an antistesiologist(sorry, can't spell this word) fr his care and compassion prior to surgery. Finally, thanks to the nurses at same day services for all the info and for helping knock that nasty bug out of my system.
Now? Home and feeling much, MUCH better. This summer has been marked off for some rest, relaxation and recovery time, so you may not see a huge amount of posts. Either way, know that I'm grateful to everyone who helped me get through this nightmare called the month of May...and yes, I have stories galore of patient care that'll be fodder for the next health care book!
First, it was an extremely busy spring. From my last post, there was another several weeks of travelling and speaking. Hope to be able to update this blog with pics from several health care programs from that time frame.
Then came May 5. Just three days after I turned 35, I went into Missouri Baptist Medical Center for some scheduled surgery. On the docket that day was an inguinal hernia repair, abdominal/incisional hernia repair, some further reconstructive work on my face and a little bit of cosmetic surgery, just to put the icing on the cake. Surgery was performed by two awesome surgeons and lasted about 12 hours. Whew!
A few days after surgery, we realized something was very, very wrong. My bowels had not kicked in since surgery and I was in a whole, WHOLE lot of pain. A few X rays and CT scans later it was determined that, due to abdominal scar tissue and a lengthy surgery, I'd developed a bowel obstruction. Into emergency surgery and several more days of hospitalization. What should have been a trip to Mo Bap for one surgery and three nights of hospitalization turned into two operations and 11 nights of hospitalization.
First and foremost, a HUGE thank you goes to Dr. Omar Guerra and Dr. Timothy Jones for taking such good care of me. Next, thank you to my nurses and techs for helping so, SO much. Finally, to our friend, Jeff Robinson, and my mom-in-law, Faith Fredrick, for flying to STL to help Marvelyne during this lengthy hospitalization.
Another big THANK You goes to my parents and a handfull of other close friends for really helping Marvelyne by helping with Carson, bringing her coffee or taking a shift at the hospital so she could rest. Now, onto chapter 2 of this saga...
A week after being discharged from Mo Bap and coming home to Orlando, I hadn't progressed. In fact, I was hurting more and had less energy; precisely the opposite of healing. To the ER here in Orlando where (after an obligatory 5 hour wait), it was determined that the incision site from the bowel obstruction repair was infected...and bad. Next day, back into surgery (this time by Dr. Davis at Florida Hospital-East.) Infection cleaned out and, thankfully, had been contained in the abcess area. Yet, cultures returned that the infection was a particularly nasty, antibiotic resistant strain of something gross. Five more days of hospitalization and IV antibiotics and I was sent home with a handy dandy Picc line and orders to go to wound care and rcv 8 days of IV antibiotics.
Thanks goes to, first, Eric, a nurse in the Florida Hospital east ER for giving me extra drugs. A five hour uncomfortable wait deserves some extra pain killers and relaxation drugs...and Eric knew that. Next, thanks to Dr. Murphy, an antistesiologist(sorry, can't spell this word) fr his care and compassion prior to surgery. Finally, thanks to the nurses at same day services for all the info and for helping knock that nasty bug out of my system.
Now? Home and feeling much, MUCH better. This summer has been marked off for some rest, relaxation and recovery time, so you may not see a huge amount of posts. Either way, know that I'm grateful to everyone who helped me get through this nightmare called the month of May...and yes, I have stories galore of patient care that'll be fodder for the next health care book!
Friday, March 19, 2010
A MO Bap Moment
Next month, I'll be working with Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Strangely enough, Mo Bap is now not just a client, but a place where I've been a Patient. And will be again soon!
As I spoke with my client this morning, she shared how they have a new initiative called Mo Bap Moments. This is simply to raise the awareness that every Mo Bap employee has a moment to help create a positive experience for the patient. Lining two hallways at Mo Bap are posters with noteable stories of employees implementing the philosophy of the Mo Bap moment. But, here's one my client shared that I thought was especially cool...
An elderly woman showed up at a Missouri Baptist clinic for a mammogram. Yet, at the clinic, they realized she needed a specific test that's only available at Mo Bap Hospital; some 10miles away.
The patient was disheartened at the mistake, but also intimidated by the hospital, the parking garage, different buildings, etc. that make up the campus. One of the clinic employees said to the patient, "ya know? I'm due for my mammogram, too. I'll call over right now, make an appointment for each of us and I'll pick you up and help you navigate the hospital."
Talk about creating a moment! One thing I always encourage hospitals to remember: it's your place of employment, but a place of confusion, intimidation and uncertainity for everyone else. The more you can help patients feel comfortable with the logistics of the hospital, the more likely they are to have a positive patient experience.
As I spoke with my client this morning, she shared how they have a new initiative called Mo Bap Moments. This is simply to raise the awareness that every Mo Bap employee has a moment to help create a positive experience for the patient. Lining two hallways at Mo Bap are posters with noteable stories of employees implementing the philosophy of the Mo Bap moment. But, here's one my client shared that I thought was especially cool...
An elderly woman showed up at a Missouri Baptist clinic for a mammogram. Yet, at the clinic, they realized she needed a specific test that's only available at Mo Bap Hospital; some 10miles away.
The patient was disheartened at the mistake, but also intimidated by the hospital, the parking garage, different buildings, etc. that make up the campus. One of the clinic employees said to the patient, "ya know? I'm due for my mammogram, too. I'll call over right now, make an appointment for each of us and I'll pick you up and help you navigate the hospital."
Talk about creating a moment! One thing I always encourage hospitals to remember: it's your place of employment, but a place of confusion, intimidation and uncertainity for everyone else. The more you can help patients feel comfortable with the logistics of the hospital, the more likely they are to have a positive patient experience.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Support-It's Not Just For Groups Any More!
Tonight I was corresponding with a nurse at a children's hospital in Texas. Paraphrasing here, but she said, "I'd love to see your message of hope and inspiration and determination brought to groups of our patients. If you haven't already, I hope you'll think of starting a support group at children's hospitals."
Well, thinking of it now! Not exactly how this could be done on a large scale, but here's my philosophy: you never know what kind of impact you can make on someone in the tiniest communication.
There have been people who've inspired me to write articles, books and to keep on doing what I do...and these aren't professional speakers or experts in motivation. It may just be getting really awesome service at the dry cleaners and seeing someone take a great amount of pride in his/her job.
Last year, I was on a flight with a guy who rattled off something I've tried to adopt into my thinking:
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and I'm living in the now"
Yet, does this fellow even know he's made this impact on me? Maybe, if he reads this...but realistically not. This interaction? I think it was somewhere between Cleveland and Orlando...
And yet? His statement is now being relayed to you. I can share with groups of young patients and create a giant support group...but really, I could just pop into a patient's room for a few minutes and...who knows? Maybe that patient will take something away from a brief interaction.
Whether it's in a group setting, or just a passing comment from a stranger, we all want support. We all want to know our problems don't seem insurmountable. We all want to know what the best thing we can do to face our adversity. Never, ever underestimate the power that you, the health care professional, has...and how your interaction may be just the thing that supports your patient for the future.
Well, thinking of it now! Not exactly how this could be done on a large scale, but here's my philosophy: you never know what kind of impact you can make on someone in the tiniest communication.
There have been people who've inspired me to write articles, books and to keep on doing what I do...and these aren't professional speakers or experts in motivation. It may just be getting really awesome service at the dry cleaners and seeing someone take a great amount of pride in his/her job.
Last year, I was on a flight with a guy who rattled off something I've tried to adopt into my thinking:
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and I'm living in the now"
Yet, does this fellow even know he's made this impact on me? Maybe, if he reads this...but realistically not. This interaction? I think it was somewhere between Cleveland and Orlando...
And yet? His statement is now being relayed to you. I can share with groups of young patients and create a giant support group...but really, I could just pop into a patient's room for a few minutes and...who knows? Maybe that patient will take something away from a brief interaction.
Whether it's in a group setting, or just a passing comment from a stranger, we all want support. We all want to know our problems don't seem insurmountable. We all want to know what the best thing we can do to face our adversity. Never, ever underestimate the power that you, the health care professional, has...and how your interaction may be just the thing that supports your patient for the future.
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Drop
Well, after years of folks reading "After This..." and "The Other End Of The Stethoscope", I've heard tons of comments. Most often, though, I hear this one:
"Wow, this would make a great movie!"
That's a huge compliment because, well, it means the reader wants something more than just words on a page and images in their mind and heart. Well ya know what? Y'all get your wish!
We've just completed work on a short film called, "The Drop." This is based on experiences from "After This..." and "Stethoscope", but brings a whole new experience to those who've been touched by the Marcus Engel story.
The official web site is:
www.TheDropMovie.com
Now, here's where I'll start begging....
"The Drop" is currently entered in a short film contest being sponsored by TheDoorpost.com. If you're inclined to do so, we'd really really really really love it if you'd go to:
www.TheDoorpost.com
and search for "The Drop." That'll bring up the method for voting. Votes and views move us one step closer to making "The Drop" into a full length feature film based on "After This..."
And if nothing ever comes of this besides the seven minute film? So be it...we got to be filmmakers, we got to be screenwriters and we got to bring another dimension to the Marcus Engel story.
And, before leaving this post, I have to thanThe Drop" and my sis-in-law and executive producer, Martha Munizzi. Love you guys!
"Wow, this would make a great movie!"
That's a huge compliment because, well, it means the reader wants something more than just words on a page and images in their mind and heart. Well ya know what? Y'all get your wish!
We've just completed work on a short film called, "The Drop." This is based on experiences from "After This..." and "Stethoscope", but brings a whole new experience to those who've been touched by the Marcus Engel story.
The official web site is:
www.TheDropMovie.com
Now, here's where I'll start begging....
"The Drop" is currently entered in a short film contest being sponsored by TheDoorpost.com. If you're inclined to do so, we'd really really really really love it if you'd go to:
www.TheDoorpost.com
and search for "The Drop." That'll bring up the method for voting. Votes and views move us one step closer to making "The Drop" into a full length feature film based on "After This..."
And if nothing ever comes of this besides the seven minute film? So be it...we got to be filmmakers, we got to be screenwriters and we got to bring another dimension to the Marcus Engel story.
And, before leaving this post, I have to thanThe Drop" and my sis-in-law and executive producer, Martha Munizzi. Love you guys!
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