Boots on the Ground

Remember this post? How prophetic I was.

With Grandma in the hospital, I am learning a lot about dealing with hospital staff. Some of it I'm even happy about.

There's the "techs," as they're called at this hospital. I assume they would be CNA's or LPN's in some other place or time. They're the ones who do the physical work; lifting, changing, cleaning patients. They're overworked and hassled and their time with the patients could be called "quantity time," as opposed to "quality time."

There are the RN's. They're busy filling out paperwork, recording the vitals the techs bring them, and "interfacing" with the doctors. They're overworked and hassled and spend little time with the patients.

There's housekeeping, who come in once a day to move the dirt around and smile. They're overworked and hassled, and their job really doesn't lend itself to spending time with patients.

There's the senior services lady, who came and kindly explained all the services they offer, but that we can't take advantage of, because, in our reactionary manner, we have taken Grandma into our home. If she were in HER home, or A home, they could help her. But our situation, well, it just ain't normal.

Yesterday I met the discharge coordinator, whose job it is to help us bring Grandma home from the hospital. Since, in her case, this likely involves a stint in rehab, this means "coordinating a placement," essentially, finding a bed for her somewhere. Right now, the rehab center her doctor wants her in "has no beds." The DC is giving me lots of information about nursing homes, and I'm playing dumb. "But these aren't rehab centers, and her doctor wants her in a rehab center." "Well," said with a condescending smile, "Doctor may want something, but it may not be possible." And, in the next breath, "They'll let me know sometime today if something will open up tomorrow. But we can't keep her here for weeks, waiting for something to open up."

I'm getting the distinct feeling that that this may translate into, "She's 96. If we send her to rehab, she'll take a bed from someone younger. Who might recover better. Who might have a better chance of staying recovered. Who certainly will have a better chance of living longer, hence justifying our efforts and expense."

But, of course, we don't outright say such things.

Not this year.