Level of care sadly lacking in the past

Tribute to Memorial Medical Center, Springfield Missouri

It doesn’t end with nursing either. At this hospital, everyone cares - about everyone. I’ve witnessed such acts of kindness - staff to family, one family to another - people don’t have to know each other here to care, and to try to help.

Walking the halls, if you even for a moment seem lost or confused, you can be sure that the first staff that happens across you will ask if you’re ok. They don’t just say the words in emptiness either - they mean the words. They’re asking with true compassion behind the question, and they pause to hear the answer, to see if there is something they can do to help you. And then they help, making sure you arrive at your destination, or obtain what you need. They take that extra time, just for you, just for that moment, that need. As I’ve wandered these halls, I’ve been asked by doctors, nurses, housekeeping, janitors, maintenance, security, office personal, social workers.... it amazes me that no matter what their job, or position, or their current task - they all take just a moment to ask - “Are you ok? Is there something I can help you with?” And I can tell you, a person of each type mentioned above has met me at some point in the past week, and asked me those questions.

It’s not just the staff either. Perhaps it’s that kindness and caring are contagious. I’d like to think that anyway. But I’ve seen family members, from completely different patients, offering support to others they did not know. Not a day goes by in this waiting room that a new family doesn’t come in, tears and sobs uncontrollable - so much agony. Yet those of us who have been here for days - we offer comfort to those that are new, just as people waiting in here before us offered comfort to us. This one woman was so kind to us, and so helpful the first days. It was 3 days before I realized that she wasn’t staff, or a volunteer, she had family here, she was suffering too, but yet she had found time for us in our hardest moments, to give us comfort.

Beyond the kindness, compassion, and caring - I see medical staff working as a team. Doctors and nurses showing respect for each other’s observations and thought. Meeting regularly, allowing the family to be part of those meetings any time we wish - watching and listening as they talk about our loved one, discussing his needs, potentials, progress, problems... hearing the conclusions and decisions, what actions would be taken - and they each take time to be sure we understand all that is happening, to answer any question we have. They don’t just ask - “Do you have any questions?” They ask kindly, and they wait to give us time to think if we really do understand.

The nurses even go the extra yard to see to the safely and wellness of family. After the last doctor conference, where’d I’d been woken suddenly and ran to Chris’ room not wanting to miss a single thing the doctors said. A nurse came to me afterwards, she’d noticed that I’d been barefoot, and she worried for my safety and health as germs can be picked up off hospital floors. She’d brought me a brand new pair of booties for my feet. So kind. I thanked her, and apologized for having gotten up so abruptly, hearing what the doctors had to say had seemed so much more important than worrying about putting on my socks and shoes first. But she had noticed that little detail, and she’d addressed it even though I wasn’t her patient, just family.

I know the coming weeks and months will be hard, but I also know that each time I have to return home, to work, and to spend time with my 12 year old, I can do so without worrying about the level of care Chris will receive, because he has the highest level of care I’ve ever seen, and I know that they will love him, and care for him as if he was their own son.