My Pulse Moment: When Patient Safety Training Became Personal

Susan Capurso - End of Life Doula / Legacy Specialist

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"I’ve been involved with Pulse for many years now. I’ve listened to the presentations, I’ve given presentations, I’ve volunteered and helped the mission to grow. But I’ll tell you when it hit me the most—when I truly understood the power of what we do.

My insurance changed and unfortunately I had to find a new doctor. It was a newer office with wonderful staff, and I loved both the doctor and PA. During my first full physical with them, I was having a routine test—one of those where you blow into a mouthpiece to test the strength of your lungs and breathing, I suppose. The medical assistant came in, set up the machine, went back and forth to the counter, opened the canister, and asked me to wrap my mouth around the 1" clear tube and blow.

 

Now, it didn’t hit me at first. But then I noticed—as she handed it to me—her hands wrapped around the top of this clear tube. It HIT ME LIKE A TON OF BRICKS! She had not washed her hands or put gloves on at any point after she entered the room.

I shyly but firmly said, “Excuse me, would you mind terribly if we began again and that you please put gloves on first?”

She was gracious and said, “I’m so sorry, absolutely!” and left the room to get a new setup.

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It was Ilene Corina and Pulse ringing in my ear—loudly, I might add! The TakeCharge campaign and every other thing I learned from Pulse spoke THROUGH me. I was so happy it did. You never know, and I was being aware while protecting myself.

Thank you, Pulse! This is why patient advocacy education matters. This is why we do what we do.

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--Susan Capurso is an End of Life Doula and Legacy Specialist who has been a dedicated volunteer and presenter with Pulse Center for Patient Safety for many years.