An educational stay
Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak
Learning Curve: Perspective
New Sunday Times - 25-08-2013
In the past few weeks, I have had my share of living on the fringe (which explains the absence of my columns) in the clinical sense. I had the (un)fortunate experience of being hospitalised as an emergency case in a public medical institution in Kuala Lumpur.
While hospital admissions cannot be considered fortunate, on hindsight I have benefited from major surgery and am glad to be recuperating.
The moment I was admitted to the "critical (red) zone" of the emergency department, I was attended to by young professionals working in tandem with each other in almost a seamless manner, with explanations to their actions.
This allayed much of my anxiety as I was in good hands, with the best care available under the circumstances.
Loved ones, friends and relatives were allowed to briefly convey their best wishes as the professionals continued with their work unperturbed.
Just as all these procedures came to an end, the surgical team assessed the next step to take.
The specialist surgeon introduced himself and discussed my medical options.
His calm manner put me further at ease, though going under the knife is always unsettling, especially for first time and at an elderly age.
Fast-forward to the operating theatre. I was introduced to yet another competent team ready to undertake the task ahead while my family waited.
My surgery took about three hours. My family received up-to-date electronic information in the lounge as the procedure progressed. It helped to reduce much of their anxiety.
Later the surgeon briefed my wife and reassured her and the family that the worst was over, 12 hours after admission the day before.
I came to in the intensive care unit, a serene place equipped with monitoring facilities attended to by a team of clinicians and nursing staff.
I was constantly under their eye. I experienced my first "bath in bed".
I was examined and made comfortable every so often. Visitors were strictly regulated.
When I remarked to a clinician that I enjoyed my stay in the ICU, she replied that I was the first person to say so!
After three days, I was transferred — with tubes and all — to a regular ward for more monitoring.
A team of young house(wo)men was kept busy preparing my- medical case for ward rounds with their medical officers the next day.
One of them stayed with me for more than 10 hours — with little sleep in between. I was also well looked after by a group of nurses.
The big day came when the specialist declared that all tubes could be removed and that I could have my first cup of hot beverage. Suddenly I felt that I was on the road to recovery.
Yet the cares that I received in the days that followed was never compromised.
The early morning visits by house(wo)men were followed by the medical officers and specialists, all exhibited a high level of professionalism.
The head of the surgical department looked into more tests to make the best decisions.
All the nurses and assistants provided superb support services round the clock with unfailing politeness and good bedside manners.
Some may have a dismal view of public health services but my stay at a public hospital was indeed an educational one, thanks to those who have devoted their lives to the caring of others.
- The writer is the vice-chancellor of the Albukhary International University