NEW POLICY

I'm back. I spent few weeks of my vacation with my children. It's so sad to be back in a real world....long hours of working, arguing with my patients, doing the nursing routines.

Before I left, there was a memo that a new visitation policy will be implemented. No more carpets inside the patients room, one sitter only for every patient ( depends on the case e.g. patient is dying, living far from the hospital or other emirate), no food from outside etc. Huh! I think the administration is dreaming. I think it will be difficult for all of us to implement the new policy. If I will base my opinion on the attitude of the emirati people living on this part of the world, I can say that it will take several years to implement the new policy. For almost 2 years that I am working here, I can say that it will be difficult to argue with the emiratis to leave their carpets behind. I think it is totally changing the CULTURE.

During my first PM duty, I can still see relatives ( or shall I say a CLAN) , especially male relatives staying inside the patients room after the visiting time. A lot of hard headed emiratis who always claim that they own the hospital and we don't have the right to tell them about the policy.They look at the healthcare workers as SLAVES. They think that they can do whatever they want to do because this is their country. I cannot see the point! Even if this is their land, they should abide the rules. And to think that we are doing this for their own good. NOSOCOMIAL infection will be lessen and a lot more reasons.

From the administration standpoint, they already did the press releases about the policy. The things that they should expect to change and to happen. And from the healthcare workers standpoint, we included it in our discharge instructions and even during admission. I think the emirati patients and relatives must broaden their minds. We are not doing it for NOTHING. We are doing this for their own good.