My injury was small but, because of a few bumps in the system, it had stretched past it’s due care period and I was sent directly to Emergency to expedite a referral that would have removed another possible extended wait.
In a nutshell I had a mallet finger that had suddenly been diagnosed a month after my original inquiries as to what it may be. Apparently not good for me.
So, I am not the usual Emergency Patient. I showed up with a copy of Moby Dick and a back-up load of NPR radio programs. I dig in for the wait.
I’m not in any great pain, I’m lucid and observant. I can watch without the usual anxiety that might be attached to most who sit in the first waiting room.
I was processed immediately upon arrival and it was only a chapter before someone came and got me to take my vitals and info. I knew I was pretty low on the priority list, but I was processed lightning fast by two nurses who managed to get my entire sequence of events leading up to my walking through the door on file within a matter of about 5 minutes. {This I found out later when Dr Williscroft began asking me questions. They were precise and accurate. No further explanation on my part was needed} He had the whole story down before he even said hello.
I waited for a few more pages in the second waiting room. A nurse then came out to receive three of us at once. She quickly sorted us to our designated spaces in Emergency.
I felt a bit out of place with my mallet pinky et al. There were a lot of patients who were in need of immediate help. I was hardly one of them.
I just sat with my book, watching Dr Williscroft shoot from one space to the next. I listening to his greetings. I saw how after his initial conference with a new patient, he immediately went to what I assumed was his station and directly issued whatever needed issuing. I was there long enough to see the outcome of his efforts. It was just moments after these station visits before someone showed up to transfer someone to x-ray or to deliver a shot.
From my position, it was a sight to see such a carefully, seemingly effortless choreographed event stream by. The sense of haste was ever present. But there was no feeling of the seriousness, no hint of that dreaded anything one might pick up on and begin to worry about if one was in a heightened state of trauma. In fact everyone working the department was apparently relaxed and fairly loose in my eyes. Which presented a marvelous calm over all that was going on around us. There was no notion of the word Emergency.
Dr Williscroft introduced himself and “How may I help you” was directed towards every person he interviewed. His initial interview was always calm, courteous and to the point, with no wasted words or time. He answered every question I heard directed to him, steering the conversation quickly and effortlessly towards the heart of the matter. – That is a great skill. Knowing upfront what is and isn’t worth your time as you lead a discussion with the other party responding as directly as they are queried. All the fat trimmed, and no one wasting a moment.
Honestly. It’s a poor confession considering the circumstances and the surrounding sense of anxiety. But I have to say I actually enjoyed sitting there for the time I had in my chair.
It was a lesson in professionalism. How a quiet hush dominated every moment in the midst of great activity.
I have worked in professional kitchens all my life. That hush is what we all work towards. It is achieved only in the best kitchens and only in brief and fleeting moments.
But here it was as a continuum. Ever-present. Inspiring.
Dr Williscroft gave me the same introduction as the others, then to my astonishment, described my story and only asked for clarity on a minor point or two. He told me what I needed to do. Had already phoned for an appointment with a specialist and gave me my discharge follow-up sheet in a few short minutes.
In my two decades working in rather extravagant well organized professional kitchens I’ve known only one or two people that could come close to what I saw in Dr Williscroft and his staff.
If I could, I would stop wasting time trying to train cooks myself. Instead, I would just round them up and drop them into the middle of Emergency and tell them to open their eyes, watch and learn.
Thank You for the experience and please thank Dr Williscroft again for me.
How many people can look back on their Emergency room experience and smile. Quite a feat !
Robb