Erin A

Review of Our Lady of the Lake Regional ...

I accompanied an friend to the hospital for surger...

I accompanied an friend to the hospital for surgery. After being directed around the hospital, she was in pain and requested a wheelchair. A female security officer showed up and told my friend that she looked fine. The security officer instructed my friend to walk with her stating that the admissions counter was just down the hall. The officer then told my friend that there were other people much worse off than her. It was incredibly inappropriate for the security officer to behave in this manner, adding to the patient's pain and stress before surgery, attempting to dismiss a patient's pain and putting the patient at risk for falling and additional injury. How is a security officer qualified to make a determination on who does or does not need a wheel chair and diagnosing a patient's condition? I did appreciate the desk attendant who recognized my friend's discomfort, offered and called for wheelchair service.
Another concern was when a medical staff member dropped a surgical hair cap on the floor, picked it up with a gloved hand, then put it on the patient and continued to prep the patient for surgery. Hopefully this isn't what qualifies as sterile, safe hospital practices according to the Department of Health and Joint Committee.
Overall, the few medical and hospital staff we spoke to were friendly, eager to assist and praised the doctor's experience. The doctor also took the time to introduced himself to each family member and friend before the procedure.