Why life in the vast lane? (I bet you all thought it was a typo!) The reason for the title is that everything about Addenbrookes is vast. Vast hospital site and vast aspirations. I heard a nurse talking about robotic surgery to a patient who is to have it done today. She said you would imagine it would involve micro instruments and procedures but she said that half of the operating theatre is taken us with this vast machine. They are at the cutting edge of this technology.
They are currently developing another 90 acres to be split between Addenbrookes Hospital (9 acres), Papworth Heart Hospital (10 acres) with the rest for a Research and Development facility.
Even the operation that OG had was vast in asmuchas they only do about four a year! They have taken bits out and refashioned bits of his intestines to replace them! As the nurse said "Bionic Man" technology.
The ward that OG is on is in a new building and is spotless. The nurses clean their hands every time they come into his bay and never touch him without first putting on gloves. When they flush his tubes through they first clean their hands, put on gloves, unpack the sterile packs, throw the gloves away and unpack another pair of sterile gloves that have been folded in such a way that the nurse only touches the inside of the glove! Even then they will not touch OG himself. It's amazing the attention to detail.
They are also conducting experiments into research that indicates taking pro-biotic drinks and eating chewing gum helps keep hospital acquired infections at bay and keeps the gut healthy.
He has a dedicated staff nurse and nurse attending him and is still on two hourly observations. The attention to details is outstanding. So, yes, it truly is life in the vast lane!
And how his he? Getting grumpy again, which must be good. He is still in a great deal of pain, and can't manage to eat much, but each day seems to bring new progress. All his drips and tubes are gradually being taken away and he even managed a few steps yesterday.
I am beginning to understand why they say it can take 6/12 months to recover from this operation.
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness
-
*Many of us will already know this poem TO AUTUMN by John Keats. It is a
celebration of autumn when the mists descend and the land is swelling with
over-ri...
2 days ago
8 comments:
That all sounds most impressive. What a spectacular place you have dumped poor old OG in!
The nurses' procedure must be the best way to avoid MRSA and C. diff . I have often felt like following the same procedure before touching OG. Must give you ideas too!
I hope he continues to improve even faster than the time you say.
Now, where's my chewing gum?
Good news!
Look forward to seeing him on roller blades soon.
Well I have been moaning on my blog about having a broken toe. How pathetic compared to what you and OG are going through. I hope things are improving well and that he will be home with you soon.
All the best and may the road rise up to meet you.
Be thankful that they are paying attention to all the details..Like Doglover says - it is the best way to avoid MRSA and all the other infections one gets in a hospital now.
It sounds like a fantastic hospital! Wish we had something like that over here...and the docs to go along with it!
Wishing OG a fast - and as pain-free as possible - recovery.
I have very fond memories of Addenbrookes as we lived just down the road (near the Botanical Gardens) for 15 years, while my two were growing up. It is a fantastic hospital, and the staff are amazing - we knew several doctors and nurses when we lived there. I so pleased OG is making good progress. He couldn't be in better hands. M xx
You sound as though he is in a very good place, vast or not! Glad he is so much better!
Catching up with blogs is proving how much I've missed. The hospital does indeed sound very impressive and good to hear OG is being taken care of properly. Guess he has every right to be grumpy though!
Best wishes, Crystal xx
oh i do hope he gets better more quickly than that! that's where you could really use the fast lane.
Post a Comment