This post goes out to all the amazing hospital staff out there and particularly to mine. I’ve been in hospital pretty often recently with the TURBT operation and now the EMDA treatment and COVID tests, plenty of time to observe these wonderful superheroes in action.
Here in Germany the health service is robust and COVID numbers have been sufficiently low so that routine operations and treatments are being undertaken. Naturally with added precautions:
- Patients are only accompanied in special circumstances into the hospital
- Visitors are allowed but during reduced hours and only one per patient per day
- Everyone wears a mask and keeps 2 meters distance where possible
- Patients are COVID-19 tested 2 days before admission
- Patients wear masks when in corridors or during procedures (not in the room)
- Staff always wear masks and disinfect hands regularly as usual
Doctors take time to answer my questions as usual but there is an air of extra urgency and a feeling that everyone is stretched rather thinly. At times doctors from the neighbouring ward help out and the Head of Urology is more to be seen than usual for statutory health insured patients like me.
More tests for the lab mean other test results are delayed. Fewer visitors mean nursing staff have to do even more for bedridden patients.
The masks emphasize the hospital-staff-superhero-qualities even more, I’m in awe of the patience and compassion I receive and witness every hour day and night. Nursing staff are called to empty catheter bags, administer pain killers, navigate bed mechanics, turn pillows, cut up food, bring water and generally help us be as comfortable as possible. Shifts are long and breaks short yet the tone is friendly and there’s usually a smile wrinkling the eyes behind those masks. Everyone gasped during the recent heatwave, but nursing staff particularly suffered as the sweat tickled down behind the masks.
Thank you to all of you!
Bladdergraffiti 