Recently our hospital placed new wheelchairs in service. These new chairs are different from the ones I used 20 years with my parents. They have ergonomic adjustments for the person in the chair. They are easier to steer and have built in compartments for oxygen tanks and a pole for hanging IV bags.

I was shocked, I thought all the improvements in wheelchairs had been in the motorized type. I asked the staff that were using the chairs if they liked them. Everyone I asked said they were a big improvement over the previous design.

Often when a product is “new & improved” I am suspicious. But in this case the changes are all changes for the better. It was a reminder to me that just because we have done something the same way forever, that does not mean that an improvement is not waiting out there to be discovered. I hope you are able to discover some improvements that truly make the work you do easier and better!