Marker Days

Marker Days

08/23/2010

  This has been a very good week at Outpatient Transfusion - if one uses the threefold criteria of “difference, learn and fun” as the y[...]

  This has been a very good week at Outpatient Transfusion - if one uses the threefold criteria of “difference, learn and fun” as the yardstick. Actually, I think it has been a smashing success, because I believe in some unique way we are making a difference, probably leaning more than my brain can contain, and we certainly are having fun. Nonetheless, as I reflect on the events of the week, my mind has been on 4-S at IU.
 
Five years ago, I was diagnosed with lung cancer. I have had many interesting twists and turns since then and many “marker days” that vividly invade my mind unannounced. This week I visited my oncologist and he kicked me out of his program: a command to go out and embrace life cancer free! Victory! As I walked out of his office I wanted to shout, dance…do something crazy. It was obviously not the place to celebrate. Many people surrounded me who remain in the throws of the battle, without reason for joy. My prayer was that they still maintain hope.
 
So, what did I do? I went to 4-S! Some people might say, “I’m going to Disney World”! Not me. I went to 4-S and hugged some very special people. Sorry, Mickey, they have a bit more pizzazz than you do. I carefully and purposely engulfed myself in the moment because I know the people on that unit five years ago were part of my healing process. They willed me to live. I have a big lump in my throat right this moment recalling the extraordinary things people did for me. I’ve attempted to express my gratitude over the years but there are some things that cannot be expressed with words or deeds. Those things just continue to consume me with what is good and right in life. If you will, ponder kindness.
 
In reality, what constitutes a “unit?" In whatever context you use the term, measure comes to mind; and, beyond that, value. When I think about a unit in the hospital, I wonder how one might measure its value. I firmly believe the answer is, “by its people.” Each unit has its own heartbeat, powered by individuals. When those individuals care for one another, they are able to provide care to others. I have been very fortunate to have known “care” from both sides of 4-S. Priceless!
 
How do you measure the value of your “unit” at Clarian? Do you care enough to care?
 
Sherry
 
Sherry Holden, BSN, RN
Associate Partner, 4South, IU Hospital
 
To be a registered nurse at Clarian, visit Registered Nurse Career Job Search.

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Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:39:37 +0100

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There’s No Charge to Check Ethics Baggage

There’s No Charge to Check Ethics Baggage

08/17/2010

  I am an ethics geek. I believe consulting with someone who is an expert in identifying ethical issues in complex patient situations and who has n[...]

  I am an ethics geek. I believe consulting with someone who is an expert in identifying ethical issues in complex patient situations and who has negotiation skills helps patients and helps the people who care for patients. So why is it so hard for people to ask for help in ethically challenging situations?
 
“Ethics” comes with baggage. In the old days, people would call ethics when someone was behaving badly. Physicians in particular were naturally defensive when they would hear “We’ve called ethics” because that translated into “You are behaving badly” or worse “You are unethical.”
 
Ethics is personal and when someone says, “We need help from ethics” it feels like hearing someone say, “Your morals are not good enough!” Ethics may be personal, but ethics consultation is professional. So how does one overcome this attitude on top of so much baggage from the past?
 
At Clarian, we’ve adopted a policy for ethics consultation. It describes what an ethics consultation is, namely a service meant to help patients, families and health care providers address ethical dilemmas. The goal of an ethics consultation is to promote and support sound ethical reasoning and thoughtful problem-solving in clinical practice.
 
Perhaps the most significant challenge to requesting an ethics consultation is the fear that asking for help will get someone in trouble. Intimidation and or reprisals (retaliation) for seeking help are inconsistent with Clarian’s core value of a community of trust and respect. Retaliation comes in many forms: cold shoulder, questioning judgment, changing an assignment, even yelling at someone. None of these responses, from anyone, is appropriate when an ethics consultation has been requested.
 
Clarian has an open access ethics consultation policy, meaning anyone involved in the care of a patient may request assistance from ethics. It takes a great deal of courage to seek help in a situation where you feel more than one choice may be right, and it is unclear what is best for a patient.
 
Lucia D. Wocial, PhD, RN
Clarian Health Nurse Ethicist
 
To be a registered nurse at Clarian, visit Registered Nursing Position Indiana. 

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Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:37:13 +0100

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