It was a regular day at the hospital – earlier, an apparent trauma in the ER, the result of an MVA - in hospital lingo, a motor vehicle accident – or so it seemed to be on one 0ctober 31.
It is never easy being at the hospital – even with elective situations. Whether in a crisis from an accident or some health episode, as a patient, everything can seem out of control.
As a former staff social worker, one may be called to perform supportive counseling roles to help patients and their loved ones cope with the stress of being in the hospital.
Upon making rounds in the ICU, I was immediately called upon by the Charge Nurse to get with this “critical care MVA patient,” Jacko, and assist the family in arranging the patient’s transfer to a specialty facility.
After trying to review the chart – a first for all health care professionals – but unable to since, “It is getting copied,” as the Ward clerk noted, I proceeded to the designated room to meet with Mr. Jacko; no family contacts were listed on the other bedside record.
As I entered the ICU Room and approached the bed, I noted that Mr. Jacko appeared to be resting quietly and was very still. As always, I knocked upon the entrance sliding door to respect the privacy of the patient and gave my routine, “Hello, Mr. Jacko, My name is Keith, your social worker; how are you? Can I speak with you now?” With no response, I still proceeded into the room – sensing the urgency of what the Charge Nurse had originally noted.
Finally, coming directly in view of Mr. Jacko at the bedside, I finally saw his full literal PUMPKIN head and made-up body and started laughing at myself as I realized the prank that I had fallen for on Halloween Day! And I blushed as I realized that all of this had been viewed by the ICU staff, since critical patients, at times, are in the view of a video camera!
After acknowledging my having fallen for this to the staff, I was told of the others who had been duped by this same scenario, including: a doctor who went so far as to put his stethoscope upon Jacko, another social worker who thought the patient was in a conference room, and a therapist who literally was quoted as saying the following as he headed around the patient’s bed: “Your head looks almost as big as a pumpkin – and it actually is!”
The moral of the story: we HAVE to learn how to laugh at ourselves! While we always strive to give our patients, or whoever or “client” is, dignity and respect, we also must not be too serious to forget the human aspect to all interactions we have with people.
Keith Horcasitas, LCSW, MHA is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Tasked by his Goddess to find, relocate, and then quicken, the last three Heart Tree gem-seeds, Vanx the bard, and his motley crew of adventurers, set out to do just that.
“Jacko” – Trick or Treat?
