I was notified today that a colleague coded while at work. For those who are not in the health profession, a code is a life threatening event. He is currently in the intensive care unit and probably will not wake up. His children will have to make the dreaded decision about what to do next.
When you hear about these things with a colleague, friend, relative or someone you know, it can be devastating. Death and illness reminds us that we are all human and frail, and how short life really is. Healthcare professions continue to give patients and their families extra care and concern, even when we know some illness could have been prevented.
We see patients at the most vulnerable times and can also rejoice with them in their wins. Caring for patients is getting so complicated and tiring at most during these times.
People do not want to take care of their health, and live in a preventative mode. They eat and drink too much, take drugs that they shouldn’t, and won’t take the drugs they should. It is quite frustrating. If something does not change, the healthcare you have grown accustomed to, may not be there when you need it. One hospital system in the area revealed they are in need of 140 nurses. Nurse vacancies impact the services a facility can provide to the public. Some hospital services will temporarily close and staff will be redistributed to meet the current need.
Many of you may not understand the impact of nurse vacancy rates until you have to utilize the healthcare system. Nurses are leaving the profession and graduate nurses can not meet the demand.
Please take care and do your part and stay well and healthy.
All Things Health and Wellness 