The day had to come. When the nurse asked me to put on gloves because otherwise I would potentially infect other visitors and patients, I just left the room. He had just returned from his holidays, it was his first day back at work, and while he was getting ready to come into Pádraig’s isolation unit room with one of our favourite nurses he was telling her about the really red hot chilly peppered food he had tasted in Asia.

He was going to help her to wash Pádraig. She had very kindly allowed me to stay in the room. He lifted Pádraig’s leg and told “Sie” Herr Schäler to let him know in whatever way if he should feel uncomfortable. I listened in amazement. When he couldn’t find a place to leave the pillow, I offered to hold it. He then asked the other nurse what kind of bacteria Pádraig had, and when she said what it was, he turned to me and asked me, to my absolute amazement, to put on gloves – which is when I left. I tried to explain to him later that I had been in hospitals for the past six months and that this was our fourth ICU. He said there were rules. He called a doctor who confirmed, to be honest, not to my surprise, that there were, indeed, rules. He also said that if nobody over the past months, including the past week in the UKE, had asked us to put on gloves they had probably not noticed we were not wearing them. I got ready to call the German equivalent of the SUN Newspaper to report the discovery of a serious hygiene problem in the UKE. Then I remembered and pointed out that the bacteria were in a closed system (stomach) as they very well knew because of their tests, he said he couldn’t tell. When the nurse then said that while he had taken endless and repeated courses in how to disinfect his hands, I as a lay-person was not in the same position and, therefore, at risk. – I stopped right there and then, and looked for the hidden camera. The nurse told me he had printed out the hospital’s complaints procedure as well as the rules regarding hygiene for me. When I turned around he asked me should he also call the consultant. I waved ‘hello’ to the audience back home laughing their heads off at this really funny hospital episode, and went to do what I was there for: to see Pádraig.

I was not quick enough to tell him what I am going to give as feedback tomorrow: someone who’s mission in life is to watch that rules are always and uncompromisingly adhered to should get a job as a warden and work in a prison; if that didn’t suit he could always join the army and become a drill sergeant. Otherwise, and especially in complex and volatile hospital situations, rules need to  be applied to circumstances and in a courteous, respectful, informed, and caring manner.

What got me most was that this really sad person pushed me right to the edge. On the positive side, it was a useful experience and reminder that there are “solche und solche”, good ones and bad ones, like in every other profession. Thankfully, he did not push me over the edge, just very close to it. Next time, I’ll know better.

Pádraig was, again, better than the previous day. Less bloated, better markers, more alert. He reacted to the ‘good’ nurse when she told him she had now finished fixing him up – and she noticed the reaction and acknowledged it. (Although the ‘other’ nurse had asked for it, unfortunately he had no way to tell him to get lost.) They had clamped the other tube and will take an x-ray tomorrow to see whether his lung is ok without the vacuum. The plan is to get him back to Eilbek during the week. (Pat talked to the half-Irish consultant looking after Pádraig today and he confirmed to her that Eilbek is the best place in the north of Germany for early neuro rehab.)

Ich ruf es nach oben, der Himmel soll warten
Denn ich hab noch was vor, der Himmel muss warten
Wenn alles vorbei ist, nimm mir den Atem
Doch noch bleib ich hier, der Himmel soll warten 

 

Today’s German Music Tip
Sido (featuring Adel Tawil), Der Himmel soll warten. – I just like the title and the rhythm of the song.
What’s hot
Patients
What’s cold
Rules
The German word/phrase/verse of the day
Aufseher

Twitter: @forPadraig
#caringforPadraig
web: http://www.caringforPadraig.org