Go the extra mile...

We are seeing patients at our Los Gatos clinic today. It's a sunny and beautiful day after some rains. Our front door area was covered by some water and leaves. I decided to sweep the ground between patients. While walking to the door with a sweeper, my associate asked me what I was going to do. I told her to attend the phone and I would clean up the steps covered by leaves. She immediately grabbed the sweeper and offered to do it herself. I handed the sweeper and thanked her for doing that. 

A moment later she popped in to tell me that the job was done. I was surprised that she accomplished the work so quickly. I could not help going out to see how the job was done. As I walked out of the front door, I realized that she only swept the steps and left the handicap ramp slope untouched. I asked her why the ramp was left and she told me that I only mentioned the steps to be swept. I asked her what we should do if a patient walked in with a headache and neck pain. Shouldn't we treat both? 

Interestingly enough, our next patient came in with lower back and a scrapped knee after a fall. After treating her lower, I carefully examined her wounds and dressed with sterile strips for faster healing. More than often, people asked me for the secret to becoming a better practitioner. My answer is always go the extra mile when you can!