Dear KWay Readers,
Happy August!
This month has its unique features, named after the ancient Romans who named it after Augustus Caesar.
It is also a very auspicious time for us, as India celebrates Independence Day on August 15 every year.
Independence is a magnificent word. It signifies the state of being free to think and act without being controlled by anyone. Isn’t this amazing?
As a family physician, it makes me happy to see the younger generation who are independent in their thoughts. Unfortunately, their thoughts are increasingly getting controlled by gadgets.
For example, a 35-year-old male visited my clinic a week ago. He said he hadn’t been able to sleep for 3 days. Upon taking his history, he mentioned that his heart rate was higher than usual (86 per minute, which is clinically normal). However, his smartwatch had beeped and alerted him, warning that it could be a serious issue.
The watch had also warned him that he hadn’t gone into deep sleep for 2 days, which could lead to serious health issues.
Upon examination, he was absolutely fine. His ECG, echo, and treadmill test were all normal. He said the panic induced by the watch’s alerts had disturbed his sleep, which further exacerbated his anxiety.
I was rather shocked.
Machines do help us identify many organic issues, but now machines are reading our minds and controlling our emotions! Oh my goodness! Where are we heading?
Are we really independent in our thoughts if we rely on machines to tell us our inner feelings? The younger generation is becoming dependent on gadgets for even assessing their emotions. This is a challenging evolution.
We talk about independence, but in truth, both the young and the old are becoming dependent on gadgets.
We, as responsible adults, should take action to encourage and motivate children to focus on a healthy lifestyle. While gadgets are becoming a new member of the family for everyone, they should not control our actions and emotions.
True independence will be celebrated on the day when kids are no longer prey to gadgets.
Hoping we can achieve this together.
Have a great month ahead!
I would love to know what you think about our monthly newsletter. Feel free to give your feedback via email [email protected].
Dr. Kavitha Sundaravadanam
Senior Family Physician
Highlights @ Kauvery
Hello Kauverians! Let’s welcome August with open arms!
The month of August in India reminds every Indian about the dawn of a new beginning. Remember those days in school, when we used to take part in school march-past, cultural programs featuring patriotic songs, dances, skits and hoisting the Indian Flag? Patriotism in India runs deep, routed in its rich history of struggle for independence and it continues to be the heartbeat of India. Here at Kauvery, we take some time out of our routines to reflect on the journey of the nation, and the sacrifices made for its freedom by celebrating Independence Day.
Just like freedom fighters, there come Doctors who make numerous sacrifices by cutting themselves off from their families and loved ones. The sacrifice that they are making to ensure our communities remain healthy and strong is priceless and they really deserve lifelong gratitude on our end. As a way to salute these frontline warriors, we celebrated National Doctor’s Day by conducting various cultural events. We ensured that all our Doctors stepped out of their white coat for a change and they were into celebration mode. Apart from this, we organized an art therapy session for our Nurses to keep them lively, engaged and mentally healthy.
What is the plan for August? We celebrate the first week of August as World Breast-feeding Week and we look forward to many activities to raise awareness and encourage breastfeeding. We always feel health awareness and education are crucial for promoting a healthy lifestyle. It guides individuals to make informed decisions about their health, such as nutritious foods, exercising regularly, managing stress etc. Maintaining good physical and mental health is important to have a happy life. Happy August to you too!
Echoes of Resilience: A Tale of Compassion Beyond Care
Dear readers I’m cheerfully bringing to you a lovely encounter with one of my recent patients who just reminded me that true companionship is the most beautiful thing in this world. I feel the best part of my day is meeting new lives that touch our hearts in unexpected ways. One such incident is that of an elderly couple who found themselves navigating a challenging time far from their children, who lived abroad.
A 64-years elderly male was admitted for abdominal pain, and his wife stayed by his side, providing unwavering support. She was panicking at even the smallest sign of weakness from her husband. He was her only support, and she treated him with utmost care, feeding him liquids and ensuring every comfort was provided. She often expressed her gratitude to the nursing staff, who she came to see as an extended family. The doctors’ and nurses’ immediate attention and compassionate responses were a lifeline for them during their stay.
As a part of my daily rounds, I had the privilege of meeting them daily. Despite the rigorous demands of their situation, it was clear that the elderly couple were comforted by each other’s presence. In recognizing the emotional and psychological toll of their separation from their children and the stress of the hospital environment, I decided to offer more than just medical care. I extended my visits, providing companionship and ensuring they felt valued and understood. Our conversation was not only about the medical, but also about their rich history, their passion, and their hopes. Our conversation often revolved around their favorite South Indian food, their shared enjoyment of TV shows, especially classic dramas and comedies, and their evening walks in the park as they did for many years.
Yet, amidst the hospital environment, their spirits lifted when they engaged with others beyond their close-knit circle. I could see that their happiness grew when they saw and interacted with more people outside of their usual two-person world.
As I spent more time with them, I came to appreciate not just their resilience but also the profound love and dedication they shared. It became apparent that their situation was more than just a medical challenge; it was a treatment for their lifelong partnership and support for each other. The couple was so thankful for the excellent care provided by the hospital staff, the 64-years elderly male made a swift recovery and was discharged in a shorter time than expected. As the couple prepared to leave, their faces filled with joy as they had found not only medical support but also a sense of connection with the people around them. Their world, once so small, hand expanded with the warmth and kindness they experienced.
Their story is a reminder that care goes beyond medical treatment – It’s about acknowledging and celebrating the small personal details that make each patient unique. For these elderly patients, the happiness they found in these connections was as vital as the care they received, and it was a comfort to know they were leaving with new friends and memories.
GLIMPSES OF THE TRAINING ACTIVITIES
Kauvery-HOPE (HR Induction version 2.0)
We conducted Kauvery-HOPE, a general induction program for our newbies during the month of July.
Say hello to our new Kauverians!
Moments of Truth
We conducted a training session on “Moments of Truth” for the Nursing team. The session was completely activity-based connecting with real-life experiences.
Art Therapy Session
We organized an Art therapy session, which was an innovative program where all our nurses took a break from their routines and got involved in activities like drawing, coloring the gaps, merging colors and creating shapes. Our nurses eagerly participated in the session by setting aside their clinical responsibilities. This made their inner child come out to play, enjoying the beautiful moments and living in the present. This even made many of them feel nostalgic like going back to their school days.
Self-Grooming Session
First impressions matter and the way employees look and carry themselves creates an impact with patients. We organized a self-grooming session for our women employees to help them understand corporate dressing.
Nursing Training
We organized a workshop for our Nurses to have hands-on equipment training focusing on safe handling of equipment and patient safety. This workshop aided our nurses in handling all the equipment with confidence.
Doctor’s Day Celebration
We had a fantastic Doctor’s Day Celebration, recognizing the extraordinary efforts and dedication of our amazing physicians.
Flying Angels
Launch of Family Clinic
Kauvery Hospital Vadapalani recently launched a Family Clinic, designed to offer comprehensive and affordable healthcare services to families in the community.
GLIMPSES OF VANAKKAM KAUVERY
Thangamanasu
Vanakkam Kauvery, a monthly employee engagement event plays a vital role in fostering strong connections among our employees. It involves the activities of welcoming our newbies to the Kauvery family as they begin their journey with us, appreciate our top performers, and recognize the best trainers of Kauvery-HOPE, acknowledging their exceptional commitment to employee development. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our Thangamanasu winner Mr.Ganesh – Ambulance Driver.
Blood Donors
Every blood donor is a hero. We recognized all the employees who selflessly came forward to donate blood and save lives. We believe that this will be a source of inspiration and encouragement for all our employees.