I accompanied Chris to an appointment at one of the Ottawa hospitals last week. When we arrived we could find no helpful sign pointing to the X-Ray Department, so we asked the friendly, white haired gentleman—an unpaid volunteer at the Visitor Information desk—where the X-Ray Department might be, where Chris' doctor had told him to go. We were told to go in the direction of Diagnostic Imaging.
Diagnostic Imaging encompasses not only X-Rays but also Mammography, Bone Density Scans, CT Scans, Ultrasound Scans, Nuclear Medicine and Gastric/Specials [sic], so I suppose the X-Ray Department is an obsolete concept these days, but isn't it confusing for people under stress to have to translate medical jargon as soon as they first arrive, especially if English isn't their first language? Oh well, no doubt by their third visit or so they get used to it.
In the rather gloomy and cramped waiting area the only decoration on the walls is a cluster of notices speaking volumes about the current state of Canadian hospitals, despite the fact that the professionals and assistants who work in these places do an excellent job and usually deal very kindly with you if you're anxious or in pain. The first notice on my list, by the way, appears in triplicate:
ALL PATIENTS. Please be assured that each Diagnostic area takes patients in order, with the exception of EMERGENCY / URGENT ADD-ON cases. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
ALL PATIENTS. We apologize for delays due to high workload volumes. Our team is performing their best to help everyone.
The Queensway-Carleton Hospital believes that its employees deserve a safe work environment. Aggressive behavior and / or coarse language will not be tolerated.
Time to renew! These facilities are being upgraded to serve you better.
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