Unsung Heroes

I have found that the truly underestimated workhorses of the wards are the non-MDs. Everyone is aware that the whole system depends on nursing and that they provide a wealth of experience and knowledge when it comes to patient care. But I've also found that social workers are amazing people who track down lost family members, call other health care facilities, contact community resources to figure out where a patient goes when he leaves the hospital. We can handle the medical aspects, but we know nothing when it comes to social work stuff. Physical and occupational therapists, too, make a world of difference in the patient's lives. Indeed, not many people know the difference (PT deals with gross motor ability such as gait; OT deals with fine motor movements and activities of daily living). Doctors worry about what kind of infection is happening and what antibiotics are needed; patients worry about whether they need a walker or if they can go up stairs. Lastly, today we relied on an interpreter who did an exemplary job acting as a neutral intermediary. And I'm sure there are other key players (phlebotomists, even custodial staff) who nobody sees but make the hospital run smoothly.