A Living Legacy
Leaving a footprint in the sand of time, streams through the microscopic intrigue behind the symbolic nature of the phoenix. Its impulse and virtuoso, virtually span through generations.
Such was the emblematic influence Patricia Wilson, Ashley's mum, displayed wherever she found herself.
Historically, the best thing that ever happened to Carlow District Hospital was Patricia Wilson.
"This did not stand to deride nor contemn others who had passed through the health facility. Some must have made their unique impacts. Factually, one overrides the rest."
"The kind of outstanding quota Patricia contributed wherever life took her, was the sum total of the legacy she often left behind", Mrs Marlow expatiated.
"Patricia Wilson must be a sound and notable health practitioner. She must have written her name in the annals of medical practice", Sharon thought (her eyes fixated on Mrs Marlow, wanting to get a full grasp of who this rare being was).
"No doubt, she has."
They both sat at the main reception that afternoon. It was the time of the day they were privileged to dissect such matters, before other issues or duties interrupt.
"I could remember, within the short time 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 engaged as the Chief Nursing Officer of the hospital.
As one of the oldest ward maids in the hospital, Mrs Marlow was full of life and expectation, the day she received the news about Patricia's new engagement at Carlow District Hospital. Her past encounters with Patricia, caused her love in her heart to soar.
'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', Mrs Marlow explained.
Are you serious? She must be kind-hearted, Sharon pointed.
Yes, she was overly benevolent.
"Is the case something you are willing to share", Sharon probed.
"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 the 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 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 in Jaundice, surfaced for the new infant."
At the onset, the patient's case note was considered not to have been properly arranged by the hospital maids on duty.
"Patricia was on the disciplinary panel. Coming 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, 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 for mainstream health workers to monitor every process relating to their patients, no matter how occupied they may be. The case was a serious one.
"As a professional 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.
Of course, you are. 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 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 mind, 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 reproduction."
"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 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)
'Am getting to learn new things from our new CNO, one of the staff initiated. I love her dispositions towards patients, and staff. She is quite subtle and extremely professional in her approach.'
'Have worked with her before now. Your observations are quite objective and genuine.'
"Such a person would find it difficult to commit any medical error nor malpractice throughout her years of service.
You are right. I believe that had fast-tracked her attainment of this level, in her career journey.