Karen Hickman Archives - Page 3 of 13 - Professional Courtesy, LLC

Hosting First Lady Barbara Bush

April 17, 2018 by procourtesy

I am deeply saddened by the news about former first lady, Barbara Bush’s death. She was a force of nature and one of those first ladies, in my opinion, who had the ability to transcend party lines. Her commitment to reading and education led an organization that I was involved with to engage her as our key note speaker for our annual breakfast in 1999. At that time I was intimately involved in the planning and preparation for her visit. Little did I realize that that experience would lead me to what I do today.

During her two day stay in our city I realized there was time in her schedule that needed to be filled with some sort of entertainment or dinner. So, I, along with my late husband, sent a personal invitation to her inviting her to a small, intimate dinner that we hosted with the other people involved in our organization. Much to my surprise Mrs. Bush sent back a note saying she would be delighted to have dinner with my husband and me and our other guests.
What a thrill it was to receive her handwritten note on her Kennebunkport stationery accepting our invitation.

I learned a great deal during those days leading up to and during the days we spent hosting someone as distinguished as a First Lady. Mrs. Bush was gracious, down to earth, funny and so appreciative of our hospitality and interested in all of us. I remember saying to her that I was surprised that she accepted our invitation. She responded with, “Why Karen, if you never ask, the answer is always no.” She said one of the things she enjoyed the most was getting to know the people who were engaging her to speak. Besides that she said, “if you didn’t invite me to dinner I’d go back to my hotel room and order room service.”

Our dinner with Mrs. Bush will always be a bright spot in my memory. I learned that people of her great distinction really do pay attention to the small kindnesses. That was evident when my husband and I received her personal note of thanks for our hospitality. Her notes have become treasures for me.

You never know where life will take you. In my wildest dreams, I never thought I’d ever be hosting a First Lady of the United States for dinner…

Rest in Peace, Mrs. Bush. You left the world a better place for having been in it. You will be missed and how grateful I am that our paths crossed even if it was in a small way.

Illness Etiquette in Cold and Flu Season

January 8, 2018 by procourtesy

Illness Etiquette

Well, we are into cold and flu season and being around people who are acutely ill increases ones chances of catching their bug. So, practicing some “illness etiquette” could be helpful for everyone.

First, if you are sick, stay home from work or school until you know you aren’t infectious anymore. And do limit your exposure to others, especially babies and anyone who may be immune compromised due to an illness or medical treatment, like chemo therapy.

If you have a sick family member and are planning on guests coming over, the gracious thing to do would be to inform your guests and give them the option of not coming. If necessary, reschedule the event. To not inform them until they arrive can make it seem like they were bushwhacked.

Avoid shaking hands with people if you are acutely ill. Just let them know you aren’t shaking their hand because you don’t want to expose them to your germs. They will be grateful.

Do cough or sneeze into your elbow instead of your hands. This helps reduce the germs being spread to everything you touch.

Wash your hands frequently and well, especially before touching food or anything else that may go into your mouth. Simple hand washing can do a lot in preventing the spread of germs. A good habit to get into is to wash your hands immediately upon coming home from work, school or any other place in public.

Have hand sanitizer on hand when you can’t get to a sink to wash. Keep some packets in your desk at work, in your car, purse or any other handy place. And sanitize commonly touched surfaces at work and at home. Don’t forget your computer keys and cell phone.

Dispose of your soiled tissues yourself. Don’t leave them on a table in a restaurant or any other place where someone else is responsible for disposing of them.

Changing Physicians

June 6, 2017 by procourtesy

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Changing Physicians

If you have had to change physicians over the years, you know how distressing it can be. Especially if you have gone to the same physician for many years. Circumstances change when your physician retires, changes jobs or moves and you suddenly find yourself looking for a new physician or switching to the doctor who took over your previous care givers practice.

To transition to someone new needs some give and take on both sides. Staying open minded to someone else’s delivery of care will help make things go more smoothly. So, some things to keep in mind are:

Make an appointment as soon as you can to meet the new doctor. Meeting them before you get into a medical crisis can be beneficial.

At your first appointment be prepared with your your health history and list of medications.

Understand that a new physician may make changes in your medications. Every physician has their own way of doing things and lean to certain medications over others. And be prepared for some lab work to support the need of certain medications that you have been on for a long period of time.

Don’t expect refills on narcotic medications without seeing the physician first. The new physician will want to review why you are on those medications and confirm that you still need them.

Get to know the new office staff. Learning their names can be helpful when having to call the office for appointments or getting lab results.

If the office uses an automated answering system, ask for extension numbers for the nurse to get through the system faster.

If the new physician does some things differently from your previous doctor that shouldn’t be taken as a criticism of your former physician.

Be prepared to see a nurse practitioner or physician assistant at times. They help support the physician and can help ease a very busy schedule. They will know when to call the physician in for help.

Try to get to know the routine of the new physician’s office. Learning the best times to call the office. Find out when they stop answering the phones and who to talk to about lab results.

Most of all give the new doctor a chance. You might end up liking them as much as you liked your former physician

Communicating with Patients as an Introvert

November 18, 2016 by procourtesy

group of professional medical team closeup

Communication with Patients as an Introvert

Physicians and nurses come in all personality types. Some are out going, funny, charming and gregarious. Others are quieter and more measured in communicating with their patients. There is the type that likes to offer hugs and are very comfortable patting hands and putting a hand on the shoulder, but that doesn’t mean the ones who don’t do that can’t connect effectively with their patients.

Physicians and nurses should be genuine in what ever their communication style is. Their genuineness will come through to their patients.

Some of the most important things to keep in mind and demonstrate with patients are:

Empathy. Empathy allows us to connect to the feelings of the patient and understand what they are going through. It helps patients feel like they matter and are respected and valued. We all have the ability to show empathy toward others. It’s the mirror neurons firing in our brains that allow us to connect on an emotional level.

Body Language. Non verbal communication is powerful. It has been said that 50 to 80 per cent of what we are communicating comes from our body language. So, how you position yourself when involved with the patient speaks volumes.
Upon entering the patients exam room offer a handshake, make good eye contact and sit down. When sitting you are perceived to spend more time with the patient than if standing. And it puts you at their level. It also sends the message that you have time to listen to them.

Balance. When looking at the computer screen and charting make sure you balance looking at the screen with making good eye contact with the patient. A good trick is to look at the patient when asking a question and return to the computer to enter the data.

Listening. Be a good listener. Allow patients to talk without interruption before responding. Pausing before responding lets the patient know you are processing what they have said. It also allows you to formulate your response more effectively.
Lean in when listening and acknowledge what is being said by nodding. Validate verbally what is being said with phrases like; “I understand what you are saying” or paraphrasing back to the patient what has been said.

A quiet, steady approach can achieve a high level of connection too. And do keep in mind that too much touching and patting may be perceived as patronizing. Some of your patients will be the quiet steady type too, and don’t feel the need for hugging and patting. Another important reason to being attentive to each patients needs.

Essential Professional Dress in Healthcare

October 31, 2016 by procourtesy

Essential Professional Dress in Healthcare
While visiting a family member in the hospital recently, I noticed the unkempt attire of one of the lab people coming in to draw blood. As she knelt down to better reach my family member’s arm I noticed her scrub pants were frayed and dirty from her walking on them. Shortly after I made note of this, one of her co-workers came in the room to see how she was doing and noted the same thing. However, she said something out loud about the fact that her scrub pants were too long and should be shortened so they weren’t dragging on the ground. The person with the dirty scrubs said, “she couldn’t be bothered with that, after all they are only work pants.” My immediate thought was, if she can’t be bothered with being well groomed what else can’t she be bothered with.”

A visible mark of distinction for your organization can be what your employees wear. If they are poorly dressed or poorly groomed the impression the public gets of your organization can be a negative one. Or like me, they wonder what else isn’t be attended to.

What is the appropriate dress for the staff and physicians in offices and hospitals today?

This question is one that causes confusion in many work places, not just the medical arena. Staying current and up with the times in dress is important. The days of everyone being in white and nursing caps seems to be a thing of the past. However, problems can arise if guidelines are not specific. Dress codes left to individual interpretation can leave room for big surprises.

Uniforms of some sort give an air of professionalism and a sense of solidarity. Different departments often adopt a certain color unique to them and easily identifiable. For instance, pediatric situations may want to gear their uniforms to the children so they do not seem threatening. In certain departments, lab coats over street clothes offer protection and look professional. Scrubs are essential in many areas and reduce concern for getting clothes soiled. Shirts or coats with hospital and group logos offer another good choice.

One of the most important ideas of uniforms is to let the public know who you are, that you are at work, not at play, that you are not some stranger off the street who comes into a patient room in the middle of the night. In short, you should look like what you do and who you are.
If anyone has to question what you do or if you are working, it may be time to evaluate what you are wearing.
The need to move unencumbered in many situations presents some unique challenges. Here are some basic tips for dressing today:

Establish well defined dress codes and enforce them.
Be clean and well groomed. Shorter fingernails are more professional and more hygienic. Save nail art and dramatic nail color for social situations.
Hair kept short or up is suitable and more professional when caring for patients. Keep make-up subtle.
Fragrances should be kept to a minimum and if you smoke consider how you smell leaning over a sick patient.
Well fitting clothes are a benefit to everyone.
Clothes should be clean, well maintained, pressed and fit well. Make sure you can move easily without exposing bare skin
Invest in, and use a full length mirror before leaving the house.
Jackets and blazers add an air of authority and professionalism to men and women.
Identification badges should be visible at all times (first names only may be necessary for security reasons). Enforce identification with an introduction.
Wear clean, polished, professional shoes. No sandals. Keep work shoes separate from leisure and activity shoes.
Jewelry kept simple and to a minimum presents a more professional image.
Gum chewing is a solitary activity and should not be done in public.

Individuals in administrative positions or positions that do not require a uniform, including physicians, should use care to look professional and well groomed. It is just as important as those requiring a uniform.

It has been said, that the way we are dressed can influence the way we work and how we are perceived. When the public looks at you and views your work environment, what do they see?

Remember, what Mark Twain said…

“Clothes make the man, naked people have little or no influence in the society.”

Hosting First Lady Barbara Bush

Illness Etiquette in Cold and Flu Season

Changing Physicians

Communicating with Patients as an Introvert

Essential Professional Dress in Healthcare

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