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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland Lots to celebrate at SOU Arbor Day rites Control burn set for Wednesday Person suffers smoke inhalation in Ashland house fire Should the Plaza get yet another makeover? Education Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland Ashland Runs on Volunteers: OLLI classes pay dividends in joy of teaching, learning New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Why OLLI matters: A personal perspective Southern Oregon University names director of marketing Environment Lots to celebrate at SOU Arbor Day rites Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers Business Cars We Remember: ‘Topper’ movie car most memorable Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Snow hopes dashed, Mt. Ashland Ski Area hosts season-ending party Saturday Iconic Ashland bookstore to celebrate 35th anniversary on April 19 Test Drive: 2015 Honda Accord Politics and elections Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for first year Grassroots group campaigns for Plaza paver do-over Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices Alicia Applegate Hardy Death Notices Rosalind Dee Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories Ashland's Knecht provides bright spot in Grizz nonleague loss to South Medford Blazers clinch playoff spot Thompson-Siporen second in decathlon Documentary about Southern Oregon University football's national championship team to screen for free Fantasy Sports: Reds’ Chapman opens list of top closers High school Ashland's Knecht provides bright spot in Grizz nonleague loss to South Medford Thompson-Siporen second in decathlon Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Southern Oregon University Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Ducks enjoy the challenge Oregon bows out Voices Latest Stories Our View: Restoration remorse over Ashland's Plaza Letters to the Editor, April 1 Landgren cartoon: European travel essentials Our View: One for the books Council Corner: Ashland’s climate plan Editorial Our View: Restoration remorse over Ashland's Plaza Our View: One for the books Our View: Build it; they will play Our View: How it should work Our View: Ashland High principal is the head of her class Letters Letters to the Editor, April 1 Letters to the Editor, March 30 Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 25 Letters to the Editor, March 23 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Columns Council Corner: Ashland’s climate plan Chris Honoré: Some political and social observations Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Ashland High grad performs at OSF's Hip Hop Open Mic Top 5 things to do this week Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Community blog: Words, wine and Craig Wright Theater Ticket Availability Ticket Availability Review: From past into present in OSF's 'Long Day's Journey' Ticket availability Ticket Availability Music Futureshock: Kendrick Lamar release points to road ahead Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Album reviews: Recent and recommended for March The Farr Side: New format for ‘American Idol’ as show continues a strong run Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: In ‘Danny Collins,’ Pacino helps us imagine a Lennon story Noah Baumbach talks Ben Stiller, adult comedies and more In 'Timbuktu,' lust for power disturbs peace Movie review: ‘The Gunman’ misses the target Movie listings: March 20-26 Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories 5 Things to Do This Weekend (April 3-5) Dave Ramsey: Dad’s career choices aren’t working Dear Monty: Relocation brings pay raise and challenges Garden Cameos: Planning for a fragrant garden year round Book Notes: America’s Test Kitchen takes a detailed look at vegetarian cooking Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland ... Our View: Restoration remorse over Ashland's Plaza ... Control burn set for Wednesday ... Chautauqua series brings author Jane Hamilton to Ashland ... Our View: Restoration remorse over Ashland's Plaza ... Control burn set for Wednesday ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: A message to my health care colleagues Comment By Joy Dobson Way DailyTidings.com By Joy Dobson Way Posted Feb. 4, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Joy Dobson Way Posted Feb. 4, 2015 at 12:01 AM What do you think? --> Have an opinion on this issue? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter. » Read more X What do you think? Have an opinion on this issue? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter . » Social News The intent of this message is to remind my health care colleagues how crucial it is for us to value constructive feedback and conduct periodic self-assessments of our own practice. I also wish to let patients and families know more about what they can and should expect from us as caregivers. My 40-year career as an RN included experience in critical care, operating room, patient and staff education, and administration. And, I have served as an advocate for my widowed sister, also an RN and a former nursing professor, who has been receiving treatment for a life-threatening disease off and on over the past eight years. During this time, I have often felt frustrated by a number of troubling incidents, and, as a result, I feel compelled to speak out. Because of my long nursing career and the fact that I have been married to a physician for over 30 years, I have a broad perspective on the responsibilities, challenges and rewards of our field. Of course, we all fail to do our best at times. Nonetheless, it is our duty to address these situations. I have chosen to name my concerns through the local newspaper in order to reach a broad audience. Please be assured that in every anonymous incident cited below, the professional involved and/or their supervisors were given private, specific feedback, despite the fact that when we are sick, anxious, or in pain, it is exhausting, and even a bit intimidating, to express concerns to our caregivers. Also, every opportunity was taken to give positive feedback to caregivers and supervisors. As a nurse, a definition of professional competence in health care formulated in the 1980s by Stanley Skillicorn, MD, former chief of neurology and director of medical affairs at San Jose (Calif.) Hospital has always resonated with me and continues to be relevant today. In Dr. Skillicorn’s framework, professional competence consists of both clinical competence (i.e. a solid knowledge base, keen diagnostic skills, strong clinical skills) and behavioral competence (i.e. effective communication/listening skills, collaboration, mutual respect, responsiveness to the needs of patients, families, and colleagues). Skillicorn's contention was that both clinical and behavioral competence are required to provide truly excellent care. Over the years, I have applied this definition of professional competence to my observations at several California hospitals and major medical centers, as well as all three hospitals and several outpatient facilities and offices in Jackson County. Much of the time I have been satisfied with what I have seen. Unfortunately, on many other occasions, I have been disappointed and even appalled at the level of professional competence I have witnessed. Here are just a few examples: The physician who spoke in a rapid-fire manner during an initial appointment and, when asked for clarification by a family member and later by the patient, answered with, “I already told you that." The nurse who did not keep his gloved hands clean while performing a procedure and, when requested by the patient receiving the chemotherapy to correct his technique, did so grudgingly while telling the patient, “It's not a perfect world." The laboratory technologist who, when asked to wash her hands before donning gloves to draw blood, responded dismissively that the gloves are to protect her, not to protect the patient, when, in fact, gloves are used to protect both patient and caregiver. The hospital nurse who dropped something on the floor, picked it up, and put it on the patient’s bed, instead of discarding or cleaning the item before using it on the patient. The plastic surgery resident who, despite several requests by a family member, did not wash his hands before examining the patient, after an extensive surgery. It is a privilege to be with others during their times of vulnerability, stress, and pain. It is a sacred trust to provide the best care possible and avoid causing unnecessary stress or complications for our patients. Therefore, I strongly encourage patients and families to ask questions, if they see something they don’t understand or that makes them uncomfortable. Caregivers should accept your right to ask questions and be willing to explain. My hope is that the health care professionals who read this message will accept it in the spirit in which it is written and will take a moment to evaluate their own professional competence. Is it what you would want for yourself and your family? If not, make some changes. You, and your patients, will be glad you did! Joy Dobson Way, RN (retired), MSN, lives in Ashland. By Joy Dobson Way DailyTidings.com By Joy Dobson Way Posted Feb. 4, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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