Hello everybody! I am one new to the group and just wanted to introduce myself. I'm originally from Massachusetts, currently a Bay Area Internal Medicine Hospitalist with a 2 year old daughter, siberian husky (mini) and techie hubbie. Hope to contribute some entertaining stories. The following is something I wrote last month after we moved into our new hospital.
The ‘space’ can make a
difference. I had already spent two
years working as a physician/hospitalist at San Francisco General Hospital, and
I had become accustomed to the old building and all its challenges. Fast forward to the end of May 2016 to one my
first shift working in the new building … Zuckerberg San Francisco General
(ZSFG/The Zuck); change had never felt so good.
I walked
across the bridge connecting our old building to the new ZSFG which consisted
of expansive windows and white beams that outlined the hall. It was a sunny day
in San Francisco, and I was able to witness it for once. At the entrance there was a quote etched into
the wall “Be the person who touches the
lives and hearts of people. Be a positive light to others as you put a smile on
their faces”. I found myself taking a
brief pause and a smile was taking form and there was no stopping it.
Onwards I
trudged, only to be greeted by a security officer who looked at my badge, and
then said ‘Good Morning Doctor’. As I
stepped off the large steel elevator onto the 6th floor, different
routes presented themselves; I was warned about this and the likely confusion
that would ensue. Nonetheless, the room numbers were highlighted with San
Franscisco themed unit names like “Mission Dolores” and I walked to the zone I
needed to get to. The heavy blue doors
which were often manually opened were now beige and badge activated, opened by a
mere hand wave. This might sound
trivial given that its 2016, but let me emphasize that it is not. The design of the building was doing work for
me instead of me pushing my way through everything.
Now came
the real test…how were the actual work floors and units. What struck me immediately was the lack of
noise; it was completely quiet! A brief instance of panic set in and I thought,
‘ Oh my god, I’m on the wrong floor…. Is this the morgue’ but no, I was exactly
where I needed to be. As I walked
further around, there was a spacious work station with an lcd screen showing patient
room information and nursing assignments with call numbers.
The time
had come to finally enter my patients’ rooms.
I knocked and then with ease opened the door only to find my patient
sitting in bed comfortably with the most spectacular backdrop of the city I had
ever seen. The room had ceiling to floor windows that beautifully displayed San
Francisco at its finest, and the sunlight poured in. I sat down at his bedside, and began to go
through my assessment and learn about his concerns. Usually at this point I would be raising my
voice to overcome my patient’s neighbor who was either watching television, or
talking to others in the old building.
The rooms had no natural light, so lights always had to be turned on, which
was of course bothersome for many as some patients were sleeping, and others
were not. The rooms were also filled
with walkers, trays, and other medical equipment that were strewn about as
there was minimal space, and it became an obstacle course for staff, patients,
and family whenever anyone moved about in the room. Now with this all gone, feng shui was in full
effect. I reviewed the plan with the
patient, and calmly exited the room. As
I entered the next patient’s room, similar exchanges and observations happened. With my mind unburdened by the environment, I
just focused on the subject at hand. My
patients too were not being set off by surrounding stimuli; they now had peace
and quiet.
I finally
ended that morning with some downtime in one of the new provider rooms to start
the lovely exercise of completing my documentation, and again I was struck by
the silence. It was like a library where
I actually had the space and time to think about what I was doing.
Noise and
chaos was often the defining feature of our intense environment, and as faculty
and staff, we perfected our ability to deliver high quality care to our
troubled and sick patients despite our surroundings. Now with ZSFG, San Franciscans along with our
many generous donors have contributed to a building that has shifted the mileu
of our work environment. My patients
now have a space that truly honors them in tough times and gives them the space
within which to heal. As a provider, I
now have the space to work more seamlessly and to think and reflect on my
work. Of course our space is not
perfect, but you have to start somewhere right? So let the healing begin…
