I have an idea for a business. You know how people do "baby-proofing" consultations, basically going through a customer's house and giving them a list of changes that should be made to make their house more "child friendly"? People get paid for that! Well, I want to start a business where I'd go to hospitals or doctor's offices and make recommendations about how to make those places more "patient friendly".
Last week I went in for a simple out-patient surgical procedure.
The first thing they did after taking me to a room was give me a "gown" and tell me to go into the little bathroom and change. Once in the bathroom I immediately identified a problem: no place to lay my clothes as I disrobed (other than on the floor or in the sink) and nothing to sit on to take my shoes, socks, and pants off and put my lovely hospital slippers on. Now for me, this was not a horrible problem because I'm still young and nimble enough to balance on one leg to put on socks. But what would an elderly person do? And if they managed to get themselves changed safely, how would they bend to the floor to get that pile of discarded clothes? Now, one might wonder "What about sitting on the toilet?" but bear in mind there is no cover on the toilet! So sitting on the toilet could produce hazards of its own.
What I'm thinking is that hospitals and doctors could pay me to come in, go through the various rooms and procedures, and make recommendations for ways to make things better. As I mentioned in another blog, shelves on the walls for flowers in the patient rooms would be a start. But there are so many more things to ponder - like small mirrors in the changing rooms so when you're done with your MRI or CT Scan you can see if your hair is standing straight up or your mascara is spreading all over your face. And my latest thought is a small bench in the bathroom for changing purposes. Simple things which could be done with very little expense.
And then at the doctor's offices, a simple introduction to the doctor before being asked to get into that paper bag. I could also offer a service like those "secret shoppers" - posing as a patient to test the friendliness of the office staffs. Do they smile when you come in the door? Do they acknowledge you when you're standing at their counter, even when they're busy? Another topic I could discuss at length!
I really think I'm on to something here...
Last week I went in for a simple out-patient surgical procedure.
The first thing they did after taking me to a room was give me a "gown" and tell me to go into the little bathroom and change. Once in the bathroom I immediately identified a problem: no place to lay my clothes as I disrobed (other than on the floor or in the sink) and nothing to sit on to take my shoes, socks, and pants off and put my lovely hospital slippers on. Now for me, this was not a horrible problem because I'm still young and nimble enough to balance on one leg to put on socks. But what would an elderly person do? And if they managed to get themselves changed safely, how would they bend to the floor to get that pile of discarded clothes? Now, one might wonder "What about sitting on the toilet?" but bear in mind there is no cover on the toilet! So sitting on the toilet could produce hazards of its own.What I'm thinking is that hospitals and doctors could pay me to come in, go through the various rooms and procedures, and make recommendations for ways to make things better. As I mentioned in another blog, shelves on the walls for flowers in the patient rooms would be a start. But there are so many more things to ponder - like small mirrors in the changing rooms so when you're done with your MRI or CT Scan you can see if your hair is standing straight up or your mascara is spreading all over your face. And my latest thought is a small bench in the bathroom for changing purposes. Simple things which could be done with very little expense.
And then at the doctor's offices, a simple introduction to the doctor before being asked to get into that paper bag. I could also offer a service like those "secret shoppers" - posing as a patient to test the friendliness of the office staffs. Do they smile when you come in the door? Do they acknowledge you when you're standing at their counter, even when they're busy? Another topic I could discuss at length!
I really think I'm on to something here...
2 comments:
Dear Barbara, When the gowns were made of cloth you could wear one closing in the back and the other one closing in the front like a bath robe for complete coverage. Not very stylish but better. I think every changing place (as well as the car) should have a hook for your purse. Hooks for your coat and clothing and a lid on the toilet are the very least to be provided. It seems unsanitary to change clothes in a bathroom. Ugh! Synpathetically yours, SGW
Some ae still cloth and you can use two if they let you! But they won't always.
I agre about the hooks - and toilet seat. I imagine the seat is missing for cleaning reasons. The bathroom was impeccably clean so I didn't mind useing the floor, but still! Thanks for reading...want to go into business with me?
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