Angry People

Today was the day for angry people.  They're kinda funny, because they're sometimes rediculous of the reasons why they're mad.  But you feel bad for those who have good reason to be mad. 

So I will talk about three angry patients I had today.  I will let you come to your own conclusions what made them angry and if they're valid.  I'll just tell you what I walked into.

Patient #1 was irate because of three major things.  First, they were mad that they waited for 7 hours in ER because ER and the floors were not communicating even though his regular doctor made an appt. for him to be admitted.  What made things worse is that the food in his words "sucks so bad that they shouldn't even call it food." His last argument was that nurses could actually say what they're doing without actually barging into the room and take blood like a vampire in the night.  I told him that I was sorry, I would pray that he goes home soon, and left.  Can't change the past, Can't cook food for him, and I am not the one with the needles.

Patient #2 was asleep...though her caretaker was telling me that she went all crazy on the nurses.  No exact details because she didn't actually witness the events, but it was wierd that she was perfectly normal the day before with no issues.  Her outburst was assumed to be associated with her dementia.  I told the caretaker that I was grateful for her presence now, and will be praying for her.

Patient #3 was calm although irritated to no end.  Why?  Similar to #1, with an issue with food and waiting for doctors and nurses to help them.  Why was she calm?  There was family in the room. 

Chaplaincy has a level of bedside manner that equates to "customer satisfaction."  Yes we report when staff do a bad job.  But hospital food is highly controlled...If you're a patient and you're sick, the first thing to control while your admitted are the things you put in your body.  ER waiting rooms are large because they accomodate a large number of people and therefore you wait a long time.  If you can make reservations through your doctor that is awesome.  But more than likely, triage nurses assess whether or not you can wait or not.  Sometimes the patient can't help it due to behavioral issues.  It's not exactly their fault, and so you have to be accepting of where they're coming from. 

Anger is an emotion, and not uncommon if the patient feels anxious, frustrated, or helpless due to the fact that they cannot fix your own body.  Truth is, just like those who have behavioral issues, it's not exactly their fault either and you have to be accepting of where they're coming from.  They're not always mad at you (though sometimes they are). 

Sometimes meeting them in their darkest moment is to accept the emotions that accompany them as well.