Signs of the time in the ER

To the editor: I love St. Anthony Community Hospital. It was a pleasure to read the article in this paper that St. Anthony’s is expanding to better serve our community. As I get older, my trips to this hospital for X-rays, CT-scans, MRIs and blood tests become more frequent - and each visit is met with compassion and professionalism from the support and medical staff. However, since the hospital will be going through a renewal phase, perhaps it’s time to renew some of its signs. Let me explain. Last week I ended up in the emergency room with a slight concussion from a rowing accident while I was standing on land (don’t ask). While I was sitting in one of the examination rooms I looked up and read the only sign on the wall which warned: “The Emergency Room charge covers hospital care and services only. The physicians who treat you, including the Emergency Room physician, will render a separate bill for your care.” I thought wouldn’t it be nice to look up and see a sign that read: “Sorry that you’re not feeling well - we’re going to make sure that you get better” or “Our true mission is to send you home in better condition than when you came in.” I realize that this sign warning me of bills to come (and the implied dire consequences should I fail to pay said bills) was probably thought up by some hospital staff lawyer devoid of compassion by years of suing people. And so I make a humble request that as the hospital goes through its renewal, someone consider bringing some humanity to its signs. Mark Tatro Warwick