NPO with a twist ~ of lemon!

Another personal & true story as experienced by Denise & brought to you by "Gladys Friday":

NPO takes on a different meaning when......

You arrive for a procedure without YOUR morning coffee and the first person to "get you registered" is drinking the finest cup of coffee your nose has ever experienced.

You determine very quickly during registration that she really NEEDS the caffeine, she has had a bad night / bad day / bad year(s).....as it is showing on her face and through her actions.

You are privileged to her taking the time to answer a personal phone call while she is trying to get her printer to work by hitting it multiple times. The registrar tells her friend on the other line, "I wish I COULD go on break now, but I still have a PATIENT!" (Surprise! That patient has EARS!)

Denise is aware that we can always find something good in someone if we search for it so "Gladys" will report to you that the registrar was a multi-tasker; answering the phone while drinking her coffee & hitting (I mean repairing) her printer.....all while.....ummm assisting a patient??? Yeah, that too.

You are excited when the printing is finally completed and she calls for transport for you to be taken to your room.

You have finally escaped the aroma of that gourmet coffee and then you hear the following employee conversation in the hallway:

"What's the lunch special?"

"I think it's dumplings"

"Oh great! I missed dumplings last week, I'll pick up the order if ya'll will call it in."

Do you realize what thoughts pop into a person's mind when they have had no coffee? But ahhh ~ that IV was soooo yummy! Denise now wants to design "scratch & sniff" hospital gowns with a smell of gourmet coffee!

Innocent conversations ~ innocent words ~ yet sometimes creating SOUR impressions thus ~ "NPO with a twist of LEMON" May we be reminded to tune in to those around us ~ putting the patient & their needs first and foremost each & every time.....filling THEIR cup ~

Have a terrific weekend my friends ~

Recent words of thanks:

Dermatology Group of the Carolinas is now an even better place because of “Denise”. She was so enthusiastic with her presentation. Also, she was able to engage with each and every one of our staff members. The fashion show was also very beneficial to let each of us know how our individual personalities can and do effect the workplace. Situations were also shared with our staff members to make them think about how they are interacting and are providing customer service to patients, staff members, and our providers. Dermatology Group of the Carolinas looks forward to working with Denise on future presentations and how to improve our practice.

Amy Walters

Operations Manager

Dermatology Group of the Carolinas

I just wanted to say "Thank you" for such an enjoyable time. It was truly delightful but it was also very meaningful. Thank you for sharing with us those important pieces of your life and for helping us see how important what we do can be for others so that we can strive to improve ourselves and the services we provide. May God Bless you and your family always and may you continue to lift people's hearts and lives with your wonderful humor. I am certain that your dad is extremely proud of you and continues to watch over you from his new address. My dad has been living there for some time now, and I am sure he was glad to welcome a neighbor such as your dad. Best wishes, Maria Gabriela Solorzano Pediatric Dental Clinic at Summit

Keep in touch ~

Denise Price Thomas

denisepricethomas@gmail.com

704-747-8699

2011 Clients:

Allergy Partners of the Piedmont "Motivational Makeover for the Medical Practice"

Dermatology Group of The Carolinas

Gaston Family Health Services

Community Health Foundation

Baptist Hospital Leadership Conference, Pensacola Florida

Novant Healthcare Managers ~ "The Way We Were" (Going through the CHANGE in healthcare)

NC Association for Healthcare Quality

SC Oncology Management Society

Georgia Society of Ambulatory Surgery Center & SC Ambulatory Surgery Center (GSASC & SCASCA)

Gaston Memorial Hospital

Gaston Memorial Hospital Nurses Conference

Alaska Medical Group Managers Association Conference (AKMGMA)

NC Healthcare Financial Management Association (NC HFMA)

Oncology Nursing Conference, Little Switzerland

"Undercover Patient Assessments" (shhh, that's a secret)

Relay for Life, Belmont

Gaston County Senior Games

American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM)

Lincoln County Association of Educational Office Professionals (LCAEOP)

Greater Clover Females In Business

Bethel Presbyterian Women's Conference

Bowling Green Presbyterian Church Women's Conference

Tarheel Thunderbird Club

Lions Club

Gaston County Association of Educational Office Professionals (GCAEOP)

First Freewill Young at Heart

First Freewill Women's Retreat

First Presbyterian Women's Conference, Stanley

Firestone Wesleyan Women's Event

Kings Mountain Women's Event

Truth & Tea Women's Conference, Pleasant Ridge

Covenant Baptist Church

Park Street United Methodist Church

First United Methodist Church Women's Conference

Women's Expo

First United Methodist Church Friendship Club

Cramerton Seniors

Terrace Ridge Assisted Living

Courtland Terrace

and more ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"The Ailing Nurse"

A friend of mine was recently scheduled for surgery. Arriving in the pre-op area on the morning of his surgery, the nurse began to ask him the routine questions:

Nurse: "Have you ever had problems with high blood pressure?"

Patient: "No mam, no problem at all, I've been very fortunate."

Nurse: "Well yes, you are so lucky, I have had problems with mine! In fact, I'm on blood pressure medication now and it has terrible side affects, dry mouth, I can't sleep, just be glad you don't have any of those problems. OK, have you had any prior surgeries?"

Patient: "No mam, I've been pretty healthy."

Nurse: "Wow, you sure have been. I've had a hysterectomy myself, had my gallbladder removed and then had to go back with appendicitis a couple years later! I've had lots of minor surgeries too, like this mole right here, I've had those removed but fortunately, they were all benign."

(thank GOODNESS, he thought!)

Nurse: "Let's see here, now let's go on to review your FAMILY history"

Patient: "Excuse me mam, my surgery is in one hour and if YOUR family has medical problems like you, I'll miss MY SURGERY!"

He thought seriously about getting off of the stretcher & perhaps exchanging places with the nurse! It was obvious that he felt much better than she did!

There's a BIG DIFFERENCE in being personable vs. getting personal ~ agree?

Denise is looking forward to speaking for the Caromont Nursing Conference this week along with being the Keynote Speaker for The Georgia Society of Ambulatory Surgery Centers & South Carolina Ambulatory Surgery Center Association.

On Friday she received a standing ovation from Gaston Family Health Services as she addressed customer service issues ~ what a terrific group it was & a great time they had. Thank you all!