Hospital Manners

Hi,

Well, Pals, we all talk abt table manners, party manners, dressing manners, this manners , that manners. But what we need to cultivate the most is some hospital manners. Here, I have put together some points from the experience that I have had.

1. If you are not directly related to the patient, either thru family or thru office, do not visit him/her at hospital. You can always pay a visit when he/she is discharged.

2. If are a close family member, do not hesitate to ask abt financial matters. Your help might not be needed, but allow them to make the decision. Don't make their minds urself. With the costs of hospitalization today, I think it doesn’t hurt to have some extra money close-by.

3. I see no reason why one should take kids to the hospital… and infants ? oh God !

4. It is customary to take along fruits, or biscuits etc. It's a good practice. but I would suggest this : If you are visiting in morning, how abt taking a newspaper along ? and if you are visiting in evening, a magazine like "India Today" would be the right choice. I observed that a patient just doesn’t know what to do with the empty time on hand.

5. If you have any objections regarding treatment, never voice them in patient's presence. You can talk with relatives outside.

6. A hospital is not a place to flaunt ur medical expertise, unless you happen to be a doctor… and even if you are one, I think it would be better practice to talk with the patient's doc rather than with the patient.

7. We say we must keep the patient happy, make him/her smile as much as we can, etc.Yes, agreed. But some people just overdo it. The very fact that someone is hospitalized means something is wrong. I don't think that cracking jokes, roaring laughter, slapping each other on the back, showing camaraderie is a proper thing to do in a hospital. There might be other people around with serious problems.

Well, this what I can think of off-hand. I would be glad if you could add to it.

Yours,

Gautam.