Team work personified

I actually spent over a fortnight in two hospitals – a private hospital where I had the operation and the public hospital where I was transferred following complications.

It proved to me that we have two hospital systems that synchronise and complement each other well. The standard of care in both was great. The private system caters for people who are otherwise well but need an operation and who can be turned around within a few days. The public system has all the bells and whistles under one roof and it is impressive to see how the various teams work together to ensure optimum care for people when they are very ill.

The thing that impressed me the most was that while there was a hierarchy from specialist surgeon down to cleaners and food deliverers there was a great sense of camaraderie and team work. Everyone seemed to value the contribution of their colleagues and everyone listened to the views of other colleagues.

This teamwork was probably best displayed one night when I was violently ill and completely helpless. Within moments of pressing the call bell there was a swarm of nurses buzzing around and within five minutes everything was changed out and cleaned up. Amazing and reassuring when you are totally out to it and can’t contribute in any way.

Here’s the thing though. While there is a lot of technology in hospitals and the various scanning machines are truly space age and produce reports almost immediately (which within a day find their way into your Manage My Health app on your smart phone), a lot of the observation record keeping is still captured manually by pen and paper.

Surely, digital input devices could capture such recordings from source, thereby cutting out double handling. I know hospitals are sink-holes for money but the size of the health market and the sophistication and low unit cost of digital devices these days has me scratching my head as to why automation isn’t taking place faster.

Also, there are dozens of quite clunky pumps on stands for delivering IV fluids and nutrition into patients (not as small as the stock image version!). Their size and bulk makes it hard for patients to mobilise when you have to drag such heavy equipment with you when going to the loo or for a walk down the corridor, for instance. Much room for greater miniaturisation I am sure.

The health industry is ripe for more Artificial Intelligence. But one thing AI won’t do is replace the warmth and personalities of caring health professionals. In New Zealand we are getting that so right. It’s testament to the training and professionalism of our health system that we have such a talented workforce on the job, delivering consistent care day in and day out. I, for one, am very grateful and blessed to be living in this wonderful country of New Zealand and being a beneficiary of its great services.