Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Epworth Eastern

If you live in Melbourne, you probably know the Epworth for its Richmond campus. The truth is there are four Epworth campuses, the Epworth Eastern was only opened in 2005 and is very large (for a private hospital with no emergency) shiny and new.

I have had three procedures there (two kidney and my tonsillectomy) and the hospital would be a dream for any doctor or health care professional. Their processes were efficient and streamlined the equipment was new and modern and where ever I went there was so much space.

Pre-op was spacious and comfortable, the OR's were spacious and comfortable (even with a pre-op alcove to treat patients in whilst the OR was being prepped), post op was spacious and comfortable and the wards were spacious and comfortable too. Even the corridors had these benefits, but one would never have to spend time in them as there was so much room elsewhere.

Like I said, it was a dream for a health care professional to work in. But was it as good for the patient? Well, the super professional hospital has immediate and obvious benefits for the patient, but they do miss a couple of things that make a stay more comfortable.

I really think one of the cardinal sins of a hospital is not checking a patient into the ward before surgery. Epworth Eastern with its ruthless like efficiency knows the benefits to the hospital by following the procedure, however, this does neglect the patient.

Secondly, everything seemed a little too clinical. Everywhere you looked the place oozed hospital. I believe for patients to be comfortable, the place need a few homely creature comforts. Even the view from the wards was sterile, looking out over a car park, building or another hospital.

But, I have always felt very safe at Epworth Eastern, and to add to the plusses, the rooms were great, the food was also well above average, all the nurses were good and each room had a fridge in it, which was great for chilling my icypoles after my tonsillectomy.

This is a really good hospital, but they could use a patient advocate or someone just to add the finishing touches from a patient point of view. Until next time, stay well:)

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