HIGHLAND PARK HOSPITAL: THE PATIENT IS THE QUARTERBACK!…read more
Approximately two or three months ago, I was admitted to Highland Park Hospital following an accidental lithium overdose resulting from a medication error at a rehabilitation facility. My condition was serious enough to require dialysis.
I stayed approximately one month, and what an extraordinary experience it turned out to be!
The staff didn't simply address my immediate medical crisis. They helped me improve my eating habits, worked with me on my existing physical mobility challenges, and encouraged me to become an active participant in my own recovery.
By the time I left, my health had improved enormously. I was sitting upright in an easy chair, making meaningful progress with my mobility, and had learned about using the HoverMatt patient transfer system.
But what makes Highland Park Hospital truly special is something much bigger than any individual medical treatment.
THIS HOSPITAL UNDERSTANDS TEAMWORK!
From the nurses and CNAs providing immediate patient care, to the kitchen staff, nurse practitioners, physicians, technicians, maintenance personnel, billing professionals, therapists, and everyone in between--THIS PLACE HAS IT!
And the beautiful thing about their team spirit?
THE PATIENT IS THE QUARTERBACK!
You aren't simply a medical case, a room number, or someone waiting for the next procedure. You're a human being, a respected participant, and an essential member of the team working toward your own recovery.
They treat you with dignity. They listen. They encourage you. And perhaps most importantly, they create an environment in which genuine TRUST can develop between patients and caregivers.
There was also another remarkable aspect of my stay: the attention to patients' intellectual and emotional well-being.
When you're hospitalized for an extended period, boredom, isolation, and the feeling of simply vegetating can become overwhelming.
Not here!
Even when I wasn't interacting with staff, I could enjoy excellent television programming, including fascinating, thought-provoking movies and documentaries. Some explored compelling subjects, while others took me on visual journeys across our beautiful planet, revealing extraordinary landscapes, cultures, and the wonders of our world.
For me, that stimulation was part of maintaining my curiosity, optimism, and determination to recover.
And now, I must recognize two extraordinary individuals.
ANGELICA AND ADELE!
These two people made a permanent, positive difference in my health, my attitude, and my outlook on life.
There were so many other outstanding staff members whose names I cannot presently recall, and I sincerely wish I could acknowledge every one of them.
But Angelica and Adele hold a particularly special place in my memories of Highland Park Hospital. I would dearly love to reconnect with them and personally express just how profoundly they influenced me.
Ultimately, what makes this hospital exceptional is not simply that its individual professionals know their jobs. It's that they work together, respect one another's contributions, and include the patient as a genuine partner.
Highland Park Hospital understands that healing involves the body, the mind, the spirit, and the human relationships that make recovery possible.
They helped me rebuild not only my health but my confidence and trust.
And THAT is healthcare worth celebrating!