Voices from Yale-New Haven: Letter to the Editor




	Letter to the editor Dear Mr. Zaccagnino: In 1998, I read a letter to the editor of the New Haven Register disparaging the care given by the staff of Yale-New Haven during a maternity visit. It was so very different from my experiences at Yale-New Haven that I felt compelled to write the following letter to the editor in an effort to defend the people who had cared for me. I was very pleased when the newspaper soon published a slightly shortened version of it. To the editor, In response to the letter regarding the care on the maternity floor of Yale-New Haven Hospital, I can assure her that there are, in fact, many "caring dedicated nurses" on staff. I have received "wonderful care" when I delivered all three of my babies there. I agree that most mothers find it unnecessary to stay for four days. When I had my first baby 13 years ago, I left after one night in the hospital and even the billing department was incredulous. The care was fine; I was just young and foolish. The true test of caring level came when I returned to Yale-New Haven at the end of my second pregnancy and the baby was stillborn. The labor nurse was obviously trained in dealing with such emotionally fragile parents and treated the baby and me with respect and compassion. The social worker was in my room within two hours and not one staff member slipped and said anything to me that would have been painful. Everything I read following the loss of my baby verified that the nurses at Yale-New Haven had done everything right. When I delivered my third son at YNHH just 18 months ago on a holiday weekend, the nurses were helpful without being intrusive. I was supplied with everything I requested—even the ice packs I replaced every couple of hours. Because the nursery is centrally located, I walked there very soon after I delivered. The only complaint I had was a nurse who was a little bit too "old school" as compared to the other nurses and kept my baby in the nursery too long. I was sorry to leave after two days. I for one do not want to return to the days of our mothers' deliveries when the hospital rules ran the show and new mothers had little to do with their care. I willingly accept the responsibility of having a part in the care of my baby and myself, thereby allowing the nurses to care for the moms who have had surgery or are struggling with their newborn. A hospital is not a hotel. It will be with no reservations that I will return to Yale-New Haven to deliver my last baby this fall. I never considered anyplace else. I did return to Yale-New Haven for an amniocentesis, a sonogram and a "false labor." My fourth son finally arrived on the same day of the year as his two-year-old brother, and the delivery was another positive experience. I have included a photo taken that morning. Congratulations on your 175th anniversary! Sincerely, Nancy Sasso Janis Naugatuck, Conn.

Letter to the editor