One of this year’s themes at the Health Quality Council Inspire Summit held in April was that of Putting Patients First, and the incredible ways Healthcare would be affected if it was to become a habit for those providing care and creating policy. More than likely some of you have heard my thoughts on this subject before, but you’re going to hear them again – with a bit of a different spin this time.
Next Sunday is Mother’s Day. And when I was thinking about what I should say to impress upon each of you the importance of putting the patient first, I was reminded of Moms, and the inherent ability most of them have to put their kids first. I have no problem saying that has always been true of my Mom and maybe it is true for some of you as well. I will always be thankful for, and amazed at, the incredible capacity she has to put her family and their needs before her own. She’s the one person I know is always going to be there in my corner if I need her – she’s never let me down. I’m watching now as she is dealing with the needs of the generation before her and am not surprised at the wisdom and compassion she is displaying as the issues come at her fast and furious. My Mom is my hero and I can only aspire to being more like her as I journey through life.
In many ways, our patients and their families are in need of the compassion and wisdom that a Mom shows her family. They need us in their corner – they are depending on us to advocate and lend them the knowledge we have of the healthcare system when they don’t know what to do next. They need us to show them compassion – they are scared and sick and often alone and just need someone to treat them with dignity and gentleness when they are most vulnerable. They need us to show composure when things are falling apart all around us – yes there are days when another issue is the last thing we have time to handle, but they want to deal with that issue even less than we do, and they are looking to us to have the experience and wisdom to give them guidance or to do so on their behalf.
Our patients are in desperate need of people to put them first. And those people are you and me as healthcare workers. I am in awe of the front line staff who strive to do this every day as they work in our Region’s facilities. There is nothing easy about putting someone else before yourself, and I know that some days are harder than others. You are heroes for the people you care for every day and you touch their lives with every decision you make. We are working hard to help you as you do that. I want your input and ideas as to how we can continue to make it simpler for you to do your crucial work every day. Our 100 Day Challenge we introduced at the Sun Country Quality Symposium is more than half over, and I am still hoping for your ideas for improving patient care and truly making sure their needs are being put first.
I can’t begin to express my gratitude to my Mom for all the ways she has showed me how to be a caring parent and someone who can be selfless and compassionate. It’s a gift that is given just because of who she is and it isn’t repayable. To all of you who put the patient first every day, I say thank you for your compassion and willingness to do your job to the best of your ability. It isn’t fully repayable either. The wage you collect as an employee is compensation for the time and effort you give while at work. But true payment comes with the knowledge that you have given a gift that everyone needs at some point. So know that putting patients first is a huge gift to hundreds of people in our Region every day. And you are appreciated!
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