God's Hotel

1. Laguna Honda: The Last Almshouse in America

"Laguna Honda, Dr. Major said, was probably the last almshouse in America, and with its 1,178 patients, it was as large as a village."

A unique institution. Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco stood as a living relic of a bygone era in American healthcare. As an almshouse, it provided long-term care for the chronically ill, disabled, and impoverished members of society who had nowhere else to go. This model of care, once common across the United States, had all but disappeared by the late 20th century.

Historical significance. The almshouse tradition dated back to medieval monasteries, where caring for the sick poor was considered a Christian duty. Laguna Honda's architecture reflected this heritage, with its Romanesque design, open wards, and emphasis on natural light and fresh air. Despite its anachronistic nature, the hospital continued to serve a vital role in San Francisco's healthcare system, offering a safety net for those who fell through the cracks of modern medicine.

2. The Clash Between Modern Healthcare and Traditional Patient Care

"It was a lesson in the inefficiency of efficiency."

Changing paradigms. The author's experiences at Laguna Honda highlighted the growing tension between traditional patient-centered care and the modern push for efficiency and cost-effectiveness in healthcare. As health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) became more prevalent, there was increasing pressure to minimize hospital stays and maximize "health maintenance" rather than treating illness.

Unintended consequences. This shift towards efficiency often came at the cost of patient care:

• Patients were discharged prematurely, only to be readmitted later
• Complex cases were overlooked or misdiagnosed due to time constraints
• The human element of medicine was increasingly neglected in favor of standardized protocols

The author observed that sometimes the most "inefficient" practices, such as spending extra time with patients or allowing for longer hospital stays, ultimately led to better outcomes and more cost-effective care in the long run.

3. Slow Medicine: The Power of Time and Observation

"Just sitting was not the same thing as sitting, however."

The value of patience. The author developed a practice she called "Slow Medicine," inspired by her experiences at Laguna Honda and her study of premodern medical practices. This approach emphasized:

• Taking time to observe patients carefully
• Allowing for natural healing processes
• Minimizing unnecessary interventions and medications

Practical application. Examples of Slow Medicine in action included:

• Sitting quietly with patients to understand their conditions better
• Gradually tapering patients off unnecessary medications
• Allowing time for proper diagnosis rather than rushing to treatment

This approach often led to better outcomes, fewer medical errors, and more satisfying experiences for both patients and healthcare providers.

4. The Importance of Community and Hospitality in Healing

"After hospitality, I decided, community was the second principle of Laguna Honda."

Creating a healing environment. Laguna Honda's open ward design, while outdated by modern standards, fostered a sense of community among patients. This community aspect played a crucial role in the healing process:

• Patients supported and looked out for one another
• Social interactions provided mental stimulation and emotional support
• The hospital became a "village" rather than just a medical facility

Hospitality as a guiding principle. The concept of hospitality, rooted in the medieval monastic tradition, remained central to Laguna Honda's ethos:

• Patients were treated as guests rather than just medical cases
• Staff members often went above and beyond their official duties to care for patients
• The hospital provided a sense of home for those who had nowhere else to go

This emphasis on community and hospitality created a unique healing environment that often led to surprising recoveries and improvements in patients' quality of life.

5. Spiritual Healing: Beyond Medical Treatment

"Don Taylor had saved many lives. And really saved them—not just saved them from death but saved them for life, in the same way that Mr. Rapman was not only no longer ill but well."

Holistic approach to healing. The author's experiences at Laguna Honda, particularly with patients struggling with addiction and mental health issues, highlighted the importance of addressing spiritual and emotional needs alongside physical ailments. This holistic approach to healing included:

• Recognizing the role of community support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous
• Acknowledging the impact of compassionate individuals who went beyond medical treatment
• Understanding that true healing often involved a transformation of the whole person

Unexpected healers. The story of Don Taylor, a substance abuse counselor who had a profound impact on many patients, illustrated how non-medical interventions could be just as crucial in the healing process as traditional medical treatments. This realization challenged the author's understanding of what it meant to be a healer and expanded her view of the healthcare profession.

6. The Art of Diagnosis: Seeing the Whole Patient

"If it doesn't look like a duck and doesn't walk like a duck and doesn't quack like a duck, it's not a duck."

Beyond symptoms and tests. The author's experiences at Laguna Honda taught her the importance of looking beyond surface symptoms and standard diagnostic tests. This approach involved:

• Taking time to observe patients in their entirety
• Considering the patient's life history and circumstances
• Trusting clinical intuition and experience

Challenging assumptions. Several cases highlighted the danger of relying too heavily on initial diagnoses or assumptions:

• Patients misdiagnosed with Alzheimer's when they had other treatable conditions
• Complex cases that required careful observation to uncover underlying issues
• Instances where standard treatments were ineffective due to misdiagnosis

By taking a more holistic and patient-centered approach to diagnosis, the author was often able to uncover overlooked issues and provide more effective treatment.

7. Lessons from Hildegard of Bingen's Premodern Medicine

"Viriditas comes from the Latin word for green, viridis—which also gives the French vert, and the Italian and Spanish verde. Viriditas meant greenness."

Ancient wisdom for modern times. The author's study of Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century German nun and medical practitioner, provided insights that proved surprisingly relevant to modern healthcare:

• The concept of "viriditas" or life force as a key to understanding health and healing
• The importance of balance in the body and its environment
• The use of natural remedies and lifestyle adjustments in treatment

Practical applications. The author found ways to incorporate Hildegard's ideas into her modern medical practice:

• Considering the patient's overall "greenness" or vitality
• Using diet, rest, and environmental factors as part of treatment plans
• Recognizing the body's natural healing abilities and working to support them

These premodern concepts often complemented modern medical knowledge, leading to a more comprehensive approach to patient care.

8. The Impact of Budget Cuts and Bureaucracy on Patient Care

"Draconian cuts were being made to the hospital, though oh-so-quietly."

Challenges to quality care. As Laguna Honda faced increasing budget pressures and bureaucratic oversight, the author observed numerous challenges to maintaining quality patient care:

• Reduction in staff, particularly experienced nurses and doctors
• Increased focus on paperwork and compliance at the expense of patient interaction
• Pressure to discharge patients prematurely to meet efficiency metrics

Unintended consequences. These changes often led to:

• Higher readmission rates as patients were discharged before they were ready
• Decreased morale among staff members
• Loss of the unique, patient-centered culture that had defined Laguna Honda

The author's experiences highlighted the ongoing tension between financial pressures and the ideal of compassionate, comprehensive patient care.

9. The Transformative Power of Pilgrimage and Self-Discovery

"Pilgriming isn't like backpacking. We didn't carry backpacks; instead, we reserved rooms in no-star hotels, in hostels, and once in a monastery, where nuns still practiced the virtue of pilgrim hospitality."

Personal growth through journey. The author's experiences walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain provided valuable insights that influenced her medical practice:

• Learning to embrace uncertainty and unexpected outcomes
• Recognizing the importance of slowing down and being present
• Discovering a sense of community and shared purpose with fellow travelers

Applying pilgrimage lessons to medicine. The author found parallels between her pilgrimage experiences and her work at Laguna Honda:

• Treating each patient encounter as a unique journey
• Embracing the unexpected in diagnosis and treatment
• Recognizing the importance of community in the healing process

These insights helped the author develop a more reflective and patient-centered approach to her medical practice.

10. The Spirit of "God's Hotel" and Its Uncertain Future

"I stood there in the old building for a long time. I couldn't decide, one way or the other, whether the spirit of God's Hotel would live or die."

A unique institution at a crossroads. As Laguna Honda prepared to move into a new, modern facility, the author reflected on the uncertain future of the hospital's unique culture and approach to patient care:

• The loss of the old building's architecture, which had fostered community and openness
• Concerns about the impact of increased technology and standardization on patient care
• Questions about whether the hospital's traditional values could survive in a new setting

Hope for continuity. Despite these concerns, the author recognized the potential for Laguna Honda's spirit to adapt and evolve:

• The dedication of long-time staff members to maintaining the hospital's values
• The enduring need for compassionate, long-term care in the community
• The possibility that new approaches could blend the best of old and new

The future of "God's Hotel" remained uncertain, but the lessons learned there continued to influence the author's approach to medicine and her understanding of what it means to truly care for patients.

Last updated: January 23, 2025