Just put a picture in here to see how it works.
I feel compelled to write this.
I read Debis Diatribes diary about a nurse following policy.
http://www.dailykos.com/...
I agree that more info would have been helpful regarding DNR status and whether the resident even needed an ambulance ride.
Why a media outlet would even cover a story without knowing any details is what drives me crazy about our society these days.
I struggle to describe my loathing of our private profit health care system.
I also am an RN and do care deeply for the profound suffering of my family, loved ones and neighbors sacrificing their hard earned moneys to a system that is going to get paid whether they live or die.
I will be 60 in April and have decided to designate myself as an organ donor and a Do Not Resuscitate patient.
My "Living Will" advanced directive is very direct and my sweetheart of 30 years and my children are willing to follow my directives which in essence state that if I am unconscious and unable to respond to questions and consents they are to leave me alone until such time as I wake and give consent or expire.
Continued below the great orange croissant. ( I am enjoying writing that)
I have been told by another nurse that my advanced directive is very cynical and mistrustful, my response is that it is very realistic.
If I arrive in a hospital I have to sign a consent that allows them to treat me and help me get well and to do pretty much whatever they need to do to cover the liability of the Hospitalist, the Hospital, the nurses and whatever inflated costs they charge for the salaries of CEO's, accountants, lawyers and other myriad middle managers and ancillary staff they provide so their profit margin is protected. They have "small print" that covers the myriad of things they do to protect their income.
I believe that is covered under "buyer beware" clauses that our excellent "uniform commercial code" laws that protect corporations and put us all on an equal footing. (snark)
My advanced directive states that if they perform any procedures on me without my express permission I will not pay the bill nor will my estate pay the bill.
I feel strongly that they also need to read the "small print" and healthcare corporation beware.
I need to state that as an individual I have always done what I want to the best of my ability, I ride a motorcycle without a helmet, and will continue to do so until I can't.
I have worked for outdoor education programs in all four seasons, mountaineering, ice and rock climbing, dog-sledding, canoeing, and glacier exploring. I am not afraid of dying, nor am I afraid of living, however when humans hit 60 and above, things go wrong and happen when we don't expect them. If I am incapable of doing what I love doing I do not wish to survive just for the sake of survival. There are never any guarantees in life, however as we age there is potential for catastrophic events that we cannot foresee and which can change our abilities dramatically.
" Do not go quiet into that goodnight" may be my motto.
I have worked as an RN in surgical ICU, cardiac ICU, cardiac cath lab, interventional radiology, electrophysiology, cancer care, community health as a research coordinator/Patient Navigator.
I am an extremely curious person and usually attempt to learn as much as possible to provide safe quality care and have been written up by some of my RN peers as being way too heavily into providing customer service above and beyond what is called for.
Believe it or not, in hospitals you can get in trouble for sharing "too much" information and trying too hard to help someone have a smooth hospital stay.
So... here is what I am wondering.
Are there folks here who would like to develop some diaries for healthcare education, end of life issues, death and funeral care issues, and other aging well issues, also perhaps raising some hell as we prepare to exit our time here with some panache.
I have not written a diary before this and wonder if this is too much for my first time. If so I'm sure that you will let me know.
My last question is about "Medicare for All". Doesn't the White House web site have some commitment to respond to petitions with 400,000 signatures or something like that?
Should we try to get some movement on that issue instead of providing more corporate welfare to insurance companies?
I personally have nothing but disgust for the way our health care is bandied about by idiot congress people. They are just pissed that we stopped their insider trading.
I have not written before and may be covering things that are already being discussed and diaried about, if so I apologize, if pointed in the right direction will participate in groups and support efforts to "really improve access to healthcare" without having to mortgage our souls to the healthcare corporate "persons".