Internal Controls - Controlling Risk in the Workplace: The Manager's Role
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Chapter 4: The Personal Experience of Andrew Bouie
Last month I was a patient at the Salida Psychiatric Center in New Wallerton, NE. Once I was discharged, everyone kept asking me what it was like. Overall, my experience there was surprisingly pleasant; outside of a few mistakes, the staff was very focused serving its patients. My notes from my experience are provided below.
Review my notes looking carefully for the internal controls that were present or missing.
Monday, 10:00 AM – I checked into the facility. The staff asked that I complete a medical history form. They typed this information into the computer and printed it out. They asked me to review the information for accuracy and sign the bottom.
Monday, 12:30 PM – Lunch is delivered. I am served a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I am allergic to peanuts. This allergy was listed on my admission form.
Tuesday, 7:45 AM – I am visited by Dr. Assaf. The doctor discussed my medical history with me, performed a brief physical, and told me that I will be taking medication two times a day, with breakfast and dinner. He also told me I am to be escorted to a group therapy session, in order to make sure I attend. Nice man. Professional manner.
Tuesday, 4:14 PM – Orderly came to take me to group therapy. Pleasant Orderly. Nice group of folks, too.
Tuesday, 5:30 PM – I returned from therapy to find my dinner - pot roast, potatoes, and peas. Tray is labeled with a “Food Allergies” sticker. No medication delivered.
Wednesday, 6:45 AM – I got up early and walked the ward. Found a stack of patient files sitting on top of nurses’ station. I thumbed through them. I was able to read through a few of them before I heard footsteps and put them down.
Wednesday, 7:30 AM – Breakfast arrived. Corn flakes and toast. Food allergy sticker still on tray. Nurse arrived behind nutritional services. She has a tray filled with little cups of medicine. The nurse asked me my name and read my ID bracelet, and read a list that appears to have patient names and medication types on it. She then described the type of medication Dr. Assaf prescribed, what it looks like, and the possible side effects. After handing me the cup, she asked that I look at the pill and confirm that it meets the description she gave me. When I said yes, she asked that I swallow the pill and then she checked my mouth to make certain that I truly swallowed it. The nurse made a note on her patient list and left.
Copyright 2014
New York State Governor's Office of Employee Relations