St Jude Medical Centre - Essay Example

St Jude Medical Centre Within the state of South Californian, there are a number of health facilities with most of them being clinics (Carpenter, 2009). Majority are community based clinics or sponsored by some faith organizations. Various activities go on within these clinics depending on their organizational structures and the type of objectives the clinics want to achieve within the society. This paper discusses the profile of a place of choice in relation to areas of specialization. Having specialized in biology with a view of becoming a physician’s assistant, it is then prudent that the paper discusses a place related to this field of specialization. In this regard, therefore, the paper discusses St Jude Medical Center in South California. As one enters through the gates of St Jude Medical Center, the entrance and the kind of decorations placed around it welcomes one to the real atmosphere (Carpenter, 2009). The gate is always manned by at least two security officers who are friendly to the customers who walk in. the gate is painted in a mixture of cream and green colors. Though it is a metallic gate the manner I which it has been made makes it a see through. Half way downwards parts of the gate is painted in green that compliments with the green grass within the compound. The upper part of the see through metallic gate is painted in cream something that the guards take a lot of pride top explain to the curious visitors coming to the hospital. The guards claim that the green part of the gate is supposed to welcome the visitors to the serene environment within the medical center (Carpenter, 2009). This they claim helps the patients and visitors feel at home the moment they get through the gate into the all green compound helping them relax and reduce the tension one might have developed before coming in. The cream part of the gate tend to blend so well with the atmosphere complementing the clouds which is grey. This gives a feeling of that one is indeed getting to a totally different institution rather than a medical institution. This is further compounded with the absence of people hanging around the gate of the medical center as witnessed in other health facilities which is an eye soar and a total put off to most patients who mostly associate it with lack of organization. Just passed the main gate into the compound there is a small security room where each and every individual has to pass through for purposes of security checks (Carpenter, 2009). As I wait for my turn to be checked a vehicle pulls by and I am left wondering how a security check will be done on the occupants of the vehicles without them coming out and walking through the little security check point. Reality on the sophistication of the security system within the medical center hits me as some lights are put on directed at the vehicle. It is a puzzle how the system works though I am left with no option but to keep on guessing. The environment that meets you is quieter with no cries from the little ones as characterized with most health facilities (Carpenter, 2009). Though at a distance a keen person can hear them they are not as pronounced as at other health facilities. As you approach the reception center the entrance looks appealing and attractive. The room is oval shaped with the walls bearing various religious drawings. There are two ladies at the reception desk with one busy shifting from one phone to another. The other is busy responding to queries from the clients. I find this a little bit odd as only one person cannot attend to the patients alone while the other shifts from one phone to another. Opposite the reception desk is the waiting area that is well organized. Even though there are few people at the reception I find a relatively large number at the waiting area (Carpenter, 2009). The entrance is open with no door but there is a guard to direct people on where to sit. Even before you are directed by the guard one is able to understand the flow at the waiting room. The waiting patients seem to be moving from one seat to the other towards the inner door of the waiting area. I hear names being called but cannot clearly figure out the source of the voice until I take my position at the waiting room. I realize that the lady on the phone coordinates with the owner of the voice at the waiting room to direct the patients on when to go through the inner door to see a specialist for further consultations and further referrals. There are those patients who take advantage of the situation at the reception to walk through to the waiting room without their particulars being taken at the reception for booking. It is when they realize their names are not called after such a wait that is when they consult the guard at the waiting room entrance for direction. Most patients at the waiting room are mothers with young children or those who are expectant. This strikes me prompting me to start a conversation with a patient seated next to me to enquire more. She clearly gives perspective to the reason as to why most patients prefer this medical facility. She concedes that most patients are expectant mothers and those families planning to start young families. The general notion is that St Jude has all along been a leading organization when it comes to offering care to the newborns or even their mothers. The patient herself considers the medical center the first place where every single detail on how to offer best family care in acquired. The next patient who is holding a young kid chips in and claims the personnel at the health facility takes greater strides in helping out mothers with various skills that are necessary in the up bring not only of the child alone but of the family as a whole unit. They further claim that these extra ordinary services offered by the personnel is what make the patients consider it the first place to acquire the initial family skills. Even though I had book an appointment with the assistant administrator of the clinic, it takes a bit longer before she appears at take me to her office (Carpenter, 2009). The room is spacious and well organized. What strikes most is the mahogany made table at the center of the office. She takes me round the clinic rooms and what further strike me are the wards which are so spacious. There are two wings of the wards namely the private wing which costs more and the general wing. She explains that the private wing rooms are always arranged to precisions according to the taste and preference of the patients intending to use them. The rooms have latest flat screen television sets with night views that are beautiful. The seating areas are complete and fitted with sleeper sofa sets. The general wing, she explains, is less costly and always does not go through a lot of decorating whenever a new patient is brought in. As she explains a response bell rings at the adjacent ward and she informs me that it is a warning bell for visitors to win d up as the medical staff are supposed to administer treatment to the patients. Within the next five minutes our exploration is cut short to give room for the medical team. The level of organization impresses me a lot and the fact that every member of the staff observes the rules. I leave and promise to visit later when time allows and the medical center is less busy. Reference Carpenter, S. (2009). Visualizing Psychology. 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