A Living Legacy
Leaving a footprint in the sand of time, can be likened to the symbolic nature of a phoenix, which spans through generations.
Such was the symbolic influence Patricia Wilson, Ashley's mum, carries wherever she finds herself.
The best thing that has happened to Carlow District Hospital in history, was Patricia Wilson.
This does not stand to deride nor contemn efforts of those who had passed through the health facility. Everyone must have made their unique impacts, but one overrides the rest.
The kind of outstanding quota Patricia contributes wherever life takes her, is the sum total of the legacy she often leaves behind", Mrs Marlow expatiated.
"Patricia Wilson must be a sound and notable health practitioner", Sharon affirmed (her eyes fixated on Mrs Marlow, wanting to get a full grasp of who this rare being was).
She must have written her name in the annals of medical practice.
"Definitely, she has. I could remember, for those few years we spent together, she received the annual best practicing nurse awards for three consecutive years. Shortly after, she turned the Assistant Chief Nursing Officer. "
"I see, no wonder her arrival lit up the whole place on Tuesday. My very first time of seeing Carlow District Hospital in that mood."
Everywhere was agog, welcoming Patricia Wilson who had just been transferred as the Chief Nursing Officer of the hospital.
"As one of the oldest ward maids in the hospital, I was full of life and expectation, the day I received the news about Patricia's new engagement at Carlow District Hospital. My past encounters with Patricia gave her love in my heart, the wings to fly."
'Did you know this woman ensured I wasn't unjustly treated nor taken through any punitive measure due to an act of negligence I knew nothing about.'
'She must be a kind person', Sharon pointed.
"Yes, she was overly benevolent. There was a case surrounding rhesus incompatibility in connection with a pregnant patient. The injection to be administered in the 28th week was mistakenly skipped by a nurse on duty."
Oh, you are referring to RhoGAM injection. Yes, RhoGAM.
"The nurse, felt she had administered it to the patient. Unknown to her, the preventive medication was omitted, during the period of antenatal."
"To be candid, may I ask how complicit you were on such a matter, considering your job description as a ward maid?"
"Just the same question everyone asked. The error was actually detected, when the case of haemolytic disease resulting into Jaundice surfaced for the new infant."
"At the onset, the patient's case note was considered not to have been properly documented by the maids on duty."
"Patricia was on the disciplinary panel. As she came into the picture, she lent her voice on the matter. She emphasised nurses were the major intermediary between doctors and patients. As such, their patients case notes or files should be paramount to them. This should not be neglected nor committed into the hands of maids or other hospital attendants, except those trained and designated to take on such roles."
"She stressed the need to monitor the process, no matter how occupied they may be. The case was a serious one. Just a summary of it in that manner, for want of time."
As a nurse, I understand the implications. I can relate to what you just narrated.
"Patricia is a nice person, kind and hardworking. You will enjoy her style of leadership, as a co-worker. Just ensure you are up and doing, not the lazy type", Mrs Marlow added.
'You have known me for some time now. I can beat my chest when it comes to task handling, and swift completion.
You are, of course. You can always double the zeal. That's the magic to catch her attention. Patricia appreciates most, those who put in their best always.'
'Thanks for the enlightenment, Mrs Marlow.'
'You re most welcome.'
Mrs Marlow didn't stop at that. She kept spreading her past beautiful experiences with Patricia.
"Patricia is down to earth, one of my best allies at Bricin's hospital. Her exemplary life, and dispositions were mind blowing."
"It's great to learn that we are having someone, whom we can confidently and efficiently work with", added one of the nurses.
"Being dedicated is not enough, getting the right person to work with, makes the job a lot easier", another staff corroborated.
(Patricia on Ward Round)
'Your image had been sculpted in my heart, likewise other medical personnel, ahead of your arrival, madam', nurse Sharon affirmed.
'How do you mean?'
'Mrs Marlow had done a good job, scrolling out different accounts of her previous encounters with you. That's why we all could sail through, getting acquainted and relating easily with you."
"Oh! I see. That's fine. It's encouraging to know my positive dispositions made me, and not otherwise. This might have impaired having such a smooth ride with you staff in the first place."
'No doubt about that, madam.'
'Back to our business', Patricia interjected.
'Every patient deserves the best. In giving them maximum attention, you must listen well.'
'Also, carry out your vital signs as required. Subsequently, follow-up with a pellucid routine check, to understand other grey areas that need further medical scrutiny, and attention.'
"Don't be in a hurry while carrying out a patient's examination. All of these, serve as background information the doctor needs for a more thorough procedure, leading to diagnosis, recommendations and prescriptions." (Mrs Marlow, Nurse Sharon and others were very attentive, unlearning and relearning as Patricia expatiated, while visiting the wards on routine check).
'The case note is one of the most sensitive parts of a patient's medical care routine. In other words, health workers within the primal procedure as primary healthcare givers, must be meticulous in connecting the dots, as scribbled in the medical graphology.'
(Back Home: Ashley with Her Mum)
'I got a rousing entry, after all. Things are going on well, Ashley. My years of experience and style of service are the redefining components. They keep giving a thrust of everyday events within the Carlow District Hospital.'
'This doesn't rule out the fact of being faced with new situations outside of one's previous experiences and knowledge. That's where daily scope expansion, updating on better trends to adopt, come in'
'That's inspiring to know', Ashely responded.
Mum, what are some of the common indicators of complications during child delivery? Also, at what stage do you decide a pregnant mother has to undergo a caesarean section?'
'Good questions you have come up with.'
"First, the common indicators during child birth would have appeared in minor or major traces during the final trimester. Then, you have others, peculiar to the point of delivery, like your question points at."
'Okay, can you please shed light on the two you have conversely described?'
"While on the journey of the final trimester or before, there may be underlying issues that would have presented a likely case of a C-section. Some of the reasons may be tied to a condition of an urgent threat to life, either that of the baby or mother. This may be due to a critical prognosis or baby's irregular positioning in the foetus."
"Kudos to mothers; they are super heroes. They undergo tough conditions during child development in the womb."
"Yes, they are specially bred beings. From conception to delivery is usually an intriguing experience. Not often predictable, but quite sentient. It is a road every woman braces up to cross."
'That means courage is needed along the line? Yes, it is one of the virtues that eases off every challenge that comes up, while progressing on the journey.'
"The joy of birthing a new life, mostly erodes any difficulty that may come in the process."
So good to know, mum.
"Lastly, at the junction of delivery, an impromptu situation can result in making a C-section the last bet for a pregnant mother or woman. Examples of such conditions are labour dystopia. This is when the process of labour is quite slow or any other suspected condition, like indeterminate foetal heart rate tracing, and so on."
Hope that was educative enough?
Very educative, mum (gave a deep breath).
'It was an eye-opener for me. Life can be so full of intricacies.'
'No worries, Ashley. Man is mostly configured to get to crossroads in life. How resolute you are, determines how well you are equipped to take the right path, leading to success.'
"Thanks for the insightful teaching, mum."
You are most welcome, Ashley.
"Hope school is treating you nicely in this part of the space?"
"Yes, am enjoying the school system here. Getting etched gradually."
Fantastic! Am so happy for you.
"You must not relent. Try to inch the heights and retain it here too. No dulling, girl. You have to remain dad's brightest champ as you've always been."
"Am making a name for myself already. My teacher had taken note of my academic dexterity. He's been commending and encouraging me."
"That's smart of you, Ashley. Making relevant contributions help you know more and better. It increases your spate of knowledge. Is that taken?"
Absolutely, mum.
You need to do more (I gently nodded my head in agreement).
(Carlow District Hospital)
'Do not feel threatened nor embarrassed when I chip in one or two things while on duty', mentioned Patricia.
'We are always willing to gain more knowledge on the job, madam'; one of the nurses smiled in response.
"As a leader, I equally do not shut the door against widening my knowledge base. No one is infallible. Medical practice needs to be taken with every sense of responsibility."
'Certainly', Nurse Sharon responded.
You calmly stretch the hand, after allowing the patient rest his back. (attending to a patient undergoing treatment for a minor injury)
'Mrs Marlow, am getting to learn new things from our new CNO, one of the staff initiated. I just love her dispositions towards patients, and staff. What an enigmatic character she is. She is quite subtle in her approach.
'Yes, you are right. Have worked with her before now. I must affirm, your observations are quite objective and genuine.'
"Such a person would find it difficult to commit any medical error or malpractice throughout her years of service. You are right. I believe that fast-tracked her attainment of this level in her career journey."
"As often said, she is a rare being. She is someone to learn from. I admire her a lot, when it comes to work, and human relations. In terms of job delivery, I must confess, she takes the lead."