Suneel Dhand, MD
Long day in the hospital today. Surprisingly busy for Fall. Hard to imagine what winter will be like. Golden tip if you have a loved one in the hospital: Be the BEST advocate you can.
Be there at the bedside as much as possible watching over things like a hawk, for however long you can. Trust me— this can literally make the difference between life and death. Having a strong advocate is one of the greatest blessings when you’re sick.
I don’t know anybody that doesn’t have a story to tell about mistakes that they’ve seen occur in a healthcare setting (impossible to avoid, hospitals are by nature very busy places with a lot going on). It’s always inspiring when I walk into a patient’s room and see loved ones by their side— cheering them on, asking thoughtful questions, and making sure everything is on track.
I always make a point to tell families how wonderful it is to see them there. One day, any of us could be in that position. There’s nothing worse than being alone in a hospital. If it were up to me, there would be no restrictions on visiting hours— as long as visits don’t disturb sleep or other patients. I will repeat again: Being the best advocate you can be for your loved one in hospital— whether you are a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or even a trusted friend— is LIFESAVING.
