Hey beloved bloggers of mine!!! I know my love for writing is always hindered with my lack of self-discipline with consistency. I enjoy viewing the screen time a little too much, and that has always been one of my biggest flaws. All those hours I've invested on watching TV and now streaming services could have been invested in learning, blogging, reading and getting closer to my Savior.
But I am not here to make excuses for myself, we all make choices and suffer the repercussions. So after many weeks of waiting to be transferred to a different position at work, it finally happened. I still couldn't believe it finally happened given the extensive eight month period, and constant change in date for the change. I went from being a PUC(patient unit coordinator) to now a PCT(patient care tech). I was fortunate to train with someone I admire in terms of her character as a person being loving and welcoming. My training wasn't extensive and it only lasted 6 days in two weeks. I was definitely a bit nervous on my first solo shift, but thankfully I pulled through without any major complications or errors in my part. Did I do everything perfectly? Of course not, and considering this new role is completely new to me in terms of actually being the caregiver instead of the patient, I believe I've risen to the occasion.
Since this is my platform where I speak freely, I know majority of my fellow coworkers doubted my ability to be a PCT and to not I guess freak out or get overwhelmed with the workload or "bad" patients. Everyone assumed I enjoyed sitting on my flat bootie all night just answering those beloved phones nonstop. They all take one look at me and see me as this weak petite woman, but they are all wrong because I am strong both mentally and physically. I don't say that to be cocky or arrogant, rather to demonstrate that what men sees as unworthy and useless the Lord enables to do above and exceedingly things in His name. I also admit, I have a lot more to learn and my skills aren't as well executed as the veterans that have been doing this for decades. I love patient care because I can relate to all my patients in one way or another, I know what it is like to be bed bound and to be in physical pain after surgery or in general. I am not afraid to ask for guidance if I need it or for clarity on something I might not quite understand. With all of that said, I am so grateful to be released from being a PUC.
To further expand on my the details, I genuinely thought the title implied actual coordinator work, and I didn't investigate the actual role before stepping into it. I wanted to have a role where I could have a more in-depth ability to contribute something more meaningful. Honestly, I hated having to harass people to do their work and they constantly taking it out on me for literally doing what I was paid to do. Now, I can be the one who goes and takes care of the patients need without making excuses and avoiding the work like other people did when I called them. All it takes is discernment and the willingness to take care of the patient to the best of your ability. The most important quality you can offer a patient is true compassion and empathy for whatever reason they have been hospitalized.
Furthermore, this was just the introduction to the theme of this blog about how corporate greed for profit has tarnished the quality of healthcare in medicine. I hate saying it, but unfortunately maybe 70 to 85 percent of the healthcare workers in all arenas are only working in healthcare for the money and not for the love of taking care of people. I have witnessed it over and over again in my line of work and in my previous work and as a patient myself. Healthcare workers like some nurses do the bare minimum to satisfy the employment status not to be fired, but they show no compassion and do everything with a grudging attitude/ aggressive. They also tend to be dismissive when the patient is rowdy or homeless/old. I know it is not easy to deal with difficult patients, but it doesn't help when the person taking care of them has no patients for them. There is always a better way to say things and offer a more approachable way of reaching people where they are at.
It is due to corporate greed that the algorithm that dictates the ratio of patient to healthcare worker is wrong. A nurse or a PCT, cannot provide the same quality of care if the numbers don't allow for ample time to service them with quality care. This is one the reasons why patients return after a discharge so quickly, because they were either discharged without proper thorough medical evaluation and consideration for their status. Everyone is usually stressed to get them in and out as fast as you can, so we can rack up more billing for insurance companies. And on the contrary, those who do not need to be hospitalized or held hostage in a way for any little potential loop in the system to milk the insurance coverage and letting the corporate industries get what they want most which is more profit. Then these same healthcare workers, who are chasing the money work overtime and are working tired because they are given the incentive to work for bonuses. The toxic cycle just continues as the workers who already have the wrong attitude towards patient care are then doing it with exhaustion, which leads to more medical errors and poor patient care.
The real solution to this crisis, is plain and simple with very attainable measures corporations should be implementing immediately across all healthcare industries that reach more than hospitals and clinics. Number one, offer healthcare workers a higher wage so that they do not need to work overtime to have a comfortable living. Of course there will always be those greedy people who are never satisfied and are workaholics, but the majority of sensible people would be relieved to know they can work a normal schedule and be compensated in a reasonable manner. Number two, lessen the workload when it comes to assigning patients and the work they perform, because quality of work in healthcare should be the top priority and not the quantity in terms of how much can just one individual do by themselves without passing out. A quick example, if a PCT had less patients to care for, they could ensure that every part of their care was done to the highest standards and patient satisfaction would always be perceived as actually satisfactory and not mediocre. And the same goes for a doctor reviewing patients and a housekeeper actually being thorough with their cleaning because they are not being pressured to complete a ridiculous amount of rooms in such little time. Quality work requires time, and if that time is not given then you will always have just an okay kind of result versus an excellent service. A perfect example in our everyday life, the fast food we eat will never be better than a homemade meal cooked from scratch or a fine dinning restaurant. Number three, for hospitals, lessen the time of inpatient stay if it really is not necessary and only admit people who truly need the services of inpatient care.
All of my generic solutions are feasible, but will the CEOs of the medical industries ever implement them to better the overall quality in medicine? Unfortunately, that is a hard sad NO, because increasing profit is their defining target and as long as they are reaping the six figure salaries, they could care less to what other bottom feeders doing all the work in these industries struggle with. I am not saying being a CEO is a walk in the park; however, they are not willing to take a pay cut to better distribute the funds where they are needed or make a change that would regulate the benefit across the board for everyone. People would work better if they weren't always burnt out and felt unappreciated. Overall health of the community would be better if people could actually enjoy a good quality of life and have a work balance. We shouldn't depend on people's sickness to earn a living in healthcare, instead we should be servicing preventative care and expanding services for wellness that people could be a part of as their main line of work. There is so much more in-depth discussion on how healthcare can truly be changed, but unfortunately this corrupt world only seeks out their own best interest for profitable gain. I know we can't save them all, but making the necessary changes would offer so many more people a better lifestyle if only people in leadership would care enough to change the current format.
All in all, I am just so appreciative of the ability to take part in patient care with the most basic level as a PCT and to be on the giving side of patient care considering how long I was the patient in need. I hope my dedication and true compassion for people will improve healthcare just a tiny little bit and patients go home knowing someone cared for them as a person. I know my journey has just begun and I shall remain humble through it all giving God all the glory for whatever I do right in this lifetime. So with all of that let me get back to my main goal of spreading encouragement and reminding myself and others you are not a mistake because God that created you is perfect and He cannot make mistakes. You are here for a plan and a purpose so allow Jesus into your life and discover that plan for your life to be fulfilled. Thank you and remember leaving a small comment or feedback is always welcomed!!
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo,
Ana :)
