I had great expectations before the field trip to the hospital. I was expecting a large and grand hospital field with the latest technology, stainless floors, and a grand waiting room. Perhaps from my previous tours at hospital facilities such as Vanderbilt Medical Center or UT Southwestern Medical Center exposed me to facilities that pushed more of their extra finances to renovating their building. I expected to tour to focus solely on administrative issues prevalent at Georgetown and that the tour would be conducted by an instructor within the NHS program.
My experience at the hospital and my expectations for the tour of the hospital were completely off. During our tour with Susan, 2006 graduate from NHS program, informed us that Georgetown University Hospital is a not-for-profit facility that works as part of the MedStar Health system. It is the oldest academic teaching hospital in the District of Columbia area and explained many important historical aspects of the hospital such as Harry Truman blessed the building when it was opened. Laura mentioned that they were trying to fill the hospital with more technology by “shoving” computers in any open space. She also mentioned that their technology has recently began to connect doctor notes and nurse notes in the system for professional use. It is obvious that with this innovations, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is trying to adapt more technology to become a more competitive health institution and better serve the D.C. community.
It was insightful to compare the similarities and differences in what Susan believes needs to be changed in regards to the hospital, staff, and patients. I have learned that individual rooms and double-bed rooms affect the mood of the patients and whether they believe they have received the same attention and care from the nurse as other patients. I found it interesting that they have similar safety signs on