I came to this emergency department after leaving the Highland ED, which was incredibly backed up…read more From the moment I arrived, I was impressed with the staff.
Unfortunately, I didn't get the names of the kind ladies who helped me at check in and in the EKG room, but every one of them was wonderful. They were kind, competent, professional, and made me feel cared for during a stressful night.
The lab tech was equally wonderful, although I didn't get her name either, which I normally try to do when someone provides exceptional care.
The first name I managed to get was Aaris, the radiology tech who came to get me for my chest X-rays. He was bubbly, friendly, funny, and polite. His disposition was wonderful and brought a little lightness to a situation that wasn't particularly fun.
There was also a gentleman working in the waiting room whose name I didn't catch. Although I didn't interact with him personally, I watched him for several hours as he cared for people. He was incredibly kind and compassionate, and you could tell by the way he treated people that he genuinely cares about what he does. That kind of service deserves recognition.
My only concern was the waiting room environment. It is a very large space, and there were quite a few people lying across seats, some with shoes off and covered with blankets. I want to be very careful in how I say this because I have tremendous compassion for people experiencing homelessness, and everyone deserves dignity, kindness, and access to care.
I don't pretend to know what the solution is, but I do think there may be an opportunity to consider how the space can better accommodate different populations and needs. Pediatric offices sometimes separate well and sick waiting areas, and I wondered whether a designated section could similarly provide a more appropriate space for individuals who have a legitimate reason to be there but may also need somewhere safe to rest. That could potentially preserve their dignity while also making the traditional waiting area more comfortable for patients who are ill, experiencing chest pain, or waiting for emergency evaluation.
Overall, though, the people working here were exceptional. During a long and difficult night, kindness mattered, and I saw a lot of it.
