Choose from these categories:
Emergency Room
Emergency Room Bedside Manner Matters
Emergency medical providers often
see 25 to 30 patients per shift, Clark says. Respect their time. Don’t summon
staff to your child’s room repeatedly if your concerns can wait. “You don’t
want to become the squeaky wheel,” says Clark. Healthcare providers may
unconsciously avoid the room with the ‘difficult parent.’ Write down questions
or concerns and raise them when it is your child’s turn with the doctor. It’s
in everyone’s best interest for your child to get high-quality, timely care. Be
patient and polite.
Don’t be surprised if staff
members ask you to repeat information you provided earlier, Clark says. They’re
trained to verify; it doesn’t mean they weren’t listening. Before discharge,
ask how to care for your child at
home and when to follow up. Get clear guidance on prescribed medications and
potential side effects. And don’t forget to say thank you. Your gratitude
encourages staff members to give the next patient quality care, too.
Heidi Smith Luedtke is a psychologist and mom
of two who can find her way to the hospital vending machines without consulting
posted signs. Read her blog at www.leadingmama.com
