Patient Care VS Health Care

One thing I have witnessed first hand is what works and what doesn't work when it comes to patient care.  This is true of various settings such as inpatient, outpatient, private practice, lab, etc.  There is one common element that is found far more than anything else. A true and genuine love of children and helping them to feel better.  It is such a peaceful feeling to be able to say this.  Now, that is not to say that with every wonderful adventure comes some adversity.  This proves true of patient care. 

I think there are two terms that are often confused in terms of medicine.  Patient care as opposed to health care.  My personal belief is that patient care is a much more specific, centered, act of directly impacting someone's health.  There is good patient care and then there is over the moon patient care.  Personally, I would rather see over the moon patient care in every instance.  This is just not so.  Too many variables play into this. Many of which are very easy to overcome with a little work and understanding. I have learned that first and foremost if a nurse, lab tech, radiology tech, doctor, housekeeper, etc. brings baggage with them inside the hospital doors when their shift starts then patient care will suffer. If their head is not in it, then someone will be affected. 

I have spent a great deal of time over the past few years sharing Matthew's journey and struggles with hospitals and nursing schools in hopes to bring a better understanding of how pediatric blood pressure monitoring has been viewed.  And also to show a side of caring from a patient's perspective.  We have encountered literally 100's of nurses in the course of 5 years.  Countless physicians, residents, med students, attending physicians, and fellows.  Numerous lab and radiology techinicians.  Each of them made an impact on us.  Some good, some horrible.  The words and actions of those that made a bad impression could have been changed in order to leave a different impression.