"She had a typed up list of meds she was taking and knew that she needed her asthma meds at all times. They knew, they said. It was written and stated verbally more than once. None of her asthma meds were to ever be withheld. Not one time. Everyone eveywhere knew it." A list of a patient's home medicines is taken as part of a history and customarily attached to the chart. But, what I am asking is are you sure they were on her chart as an order to be given? If they were, and she hadn't had them for days, SOMEBODY made the decision not to administer them. One issue is who and why? Since you say she didn't have them since Saturday, did she or you ask that question before her episode? It doesn't feel right that everyone who had given patient care to her would have missed it, and not questioned why that was the case. This is exactly where I was coming from when I addressed the flow of information. If she had been getting her meds right along, was there a possibility this would not have happened? I have to make the assumption the breathing treatment was given as a new stat order. Did I understand correctly that order had issued for a matter of hours and not acted upon? Did any one of the floor staff catch that fact well before she called you? Did any of them try to expedite the treatment by communication to the physician or pharmacy directly or did they leave it up to another department to follow through on it? At the facilites where I worked all the floor staff who were caring for a patient or administering meds would have looked that drug up in the a reference and educated ourselves to it's generic name and likely been in contact with the pharmacy about it quickly if there were an issue. We were required by our own policy to do this with every medication. Good, good policy. Is that a policy in that institution as well? Your description of the actions of the resp tech and LPN still leaves a question in my mind whether they had access to the drug to be administered. If that were the case, how could they give it? Were they trying to calm the patient to decrease her respiratory demand until they could get and administer the drug? Could they have been just as anxious as you or your mother, but doing the best they could under the situation? I guess what I am saying is that I still would question this a communications issue and also wonder if it could also be an accountability issue. Checks and balances likely exist in the system to prevent those things from happening. You might be surprised who "could" be considered accountable. Your doc did the right thing for initiating a complaint, and I'm not in any way saying your anger is inappropriate. You should be upset.......but I'm wondering at this point.......at whom. I'm not implying any particular member of the staff is at fault nor guiltless. I'm saying that an internal look-see is appropriate to address those issues not apparent from the outside. Been there and done that myself as an advocate. I'm very glad it turned out OK.

It is a pet peeve of mine that when I got to a restaurant alone (I'm not shy!) or with BF we get the "just you?" question. Surely there must be another way of phrasing that, so it doesn't seem like there is something wrong with one or two. Perhaps, "Will this be a party of one/two?" or "Are you a party of one/two?" I know one isn't technically a "party" but is sure sounds like a fun word, instead of "just (poor) you?" But I honestly don't take offense, I know they are just trying to find out how and where to seat me. It's really up to me how I decide to feel about it. I realize dining alone is unusual but that's because other folks just don't have the courage to do it because they are afraid what other people might think. In all my 30 plus years of being a single diner (I'm on the road a lot so have to eat out) no one has even remotely noticed that it was "just me" except for the hostess/host and they were just trying to figure out how to seat me. One other time I was at a hotel restaurant while I was away on business and some guy tried to chat me up, I was cordial for a bit and then told him I was kind of busy and that was that. Folks are too engrossed in their own worlds and issues to notice you much if you're just sitting in a restaurant eating. Besides, nowdays everyone is glued to an electronic screen/device. Even if it wasn't a huge problem, I think you were right to let the manager know that manners are important if you are in the food SERVICE industry.

Pal & Shannon - why am I not surprised to hear that? I want to be, but I'm not and I'm sitting here shaking my head. Oakley - yes I am writing the Thank You for the lunch since boss is treating me to lunch too and voiced as much right away to everyone. I guess after so many yrs of just doing it for prior Doc that I worked for I've never given it a 2nd thought. Scratched my head at first but did it. And indeed I did think of just putting my name on it while stating in the Thank You that WE enjoyed lunch very much. Quite honestly I decided to wait to send the Thank You until after the patient comes in again. I want to see if she mentions anything to me about the beer. If she does then I will include a nod to the beer in the Thank You (if Tech brings any back for me) but I will still only sign my name thanking her on behalf of the rest of the staff. Luckily there haven't really been any other 'side tasks' for me. The last Doc that I worked for was crazy w/ the side tasks stuff but he was also the head of the practice and the chief of the ICU so I ended up more like his medical/ personal assistant. He compensated me very well for it though and there were many times when I would tell him that something was his responsibility not mine. I had a brief talk w/ the Tech this AM where he protested 'But she said it was for all of us' at which point I said 'Really? If that's the way that it was presented then why didn't you immediately turn to share it instead of putting it w/ your back pack? It wasn't until you were prompted that you thought of sharing. Now how do you think that made me feel? She didn't stop to say anything specifically to me - she barely even looked at me before running out the door. That's because she was uncomfortable - she didn't expect for me to be in the back w/ the rest of you and she was caught off guard.' Pammyfay - what a lovely start to a wonderful week! Thank you and HAPPY MONDAY TO ALL!

We have been very lucky, with all of the medical issues we have had with our son. He has been in 5 hospitals, since he was hurt in an industrial accident. That left him a para, and has now had two strokes. We don't live in what would be concidered the hub of medical technology, but I can say in all honesty his care could not have been better. He has had talented, caring, responsive nuring staff, as well as doctors. When they know their limits don't meet his needs, he has been sent out of state to larger facilities. I try to work WITH the staff, because he is unable to communicate very well. I am not a medical professional, but over this past 11 years, I certainly have learned and seen a lot. I advocate for Brian, and yes, there have been times I have disagreed with some of the directives, but we discuss them, so we understand each others views. Afterall I have been through it all with him, and he is my only concern, as they have many patients to be concerned about. Being an antagonist helps no one. I keep a notebook with me at all times, so I have some knowledge to speak to staff, if I have a concern. These dedicated professionals, have kept my son alive when several times, there was little hope. Our society has become so angry and rude, it is very sad to see the verbal abuse so many seem to think is OK. I have had staff I cared for more than others, but never felt any of them have not done the best they can for us. His and my ( 2 surgeries this year too) rooms have always been clean, the food is good, not 5 star but good and usually there are choices so you should be able to find something satisfactory. I thank you ladies, and any men if it applies, for your dedication to your patients. Its a big job, that I for one appreciate. I wish more of you could feel the same. Makes me want to never relocate.