Welcome back to my weekend reflections, where I dive into the highs and lows of my workweek!
High: I kept my composure when the patient’s daughter was yelling in my face at 9:30 in the morning on Sunday. It’s always jarring to have someone yell at you, let alone first thing in the morning. I held my tongue because I knew the anger wasn’t towards me, but towards the whole situation and the fact that her mother (the patient) lost her appeal.
Low: I had a patient last weekend who had appealed her discharge, and she lost it. I don’t do the discharge plan- I usually either start it or end it- so when this patient lost her appeal, and I realized she probably should have at least had a palliative consult, or a conversation about hospice that was not done- it felt like we failed her, I failed her. She should not have been going home. I did bring it up before they left; however, the patient and family were so upset that they no longer waited to have any discussion. Ironically, the patient was back and admitted again- maybe she should have never left to begin with… but what do I know. I am just a social worker.
We also had one co-worker who was out on PTO, which meant we had a backup case manager; however, they do not work 12 hours, and are not aware of our processes on the weekend, which means we have to divide up the work among the rest of us. It was a lot this weekend.