And you wonder about hospitals...

[p38arover]

I haven't been here much lately as my wife has been in hospital for the past three weeks.

Those three weeks have seen a litany of errors and problems in dealing with her. She is in extreme pain requiring morphine and ketamine to try to alleviate it.

She needed a (very expensive - about $1300 per vial) infusion which had to run uninterrupted for 72 hours. On the first attempt the ward thought a vial would last 72 hours. (Simple maths would have told them it wouldn't). It didn't and they hadn't ordered any more in so the infusion was interrupted for about 6 hours.

Oh, the nursing staff hadn't read the protocol on administering the drug so my wife had to tell each new shift what they had to do (she's had it before). Not that they believed her - after all she's just a patient. I brought a copy of the protocol (that we got from the hospital last time) from home just in case. Admittedly, it is a rare drug protocol so nursing staff in a general ward wouldn't be expected to know it.

That meant the drug infusion had to be restarted again once more drugs were obtained.

After a few hours, the cannula tissued so the infusion had to be stopped. By this time it was evening.

A doctor was called to insert a new cannula. She couldn't - and then was called away - never to return.

The next day they decided to install a femoral central line and got the infusion going again.

Then she was taken to theatre for an angioplasty so the infusion was disconnected. When she came out, they forgot to restart the infusion. So the next day they started it again. Don't forget, we are talking about $1300 per vial here.

As she was in extreme pain (try watching your wife shaking and crying in pain :mad: ) they connected her to morphine and ketamine pumps.

Great. For a while. Until my wife said it isn't working. The response was effectively "No dear, the pumps are working ok and you're getting the morphine".

When my wife complained the bed was wet, she was offered an incontinence pad. What had happened was that one of the clamps on the central line (in her groin) had been released so when she pressed the button for a hit of morphine, it was being pumped onto the bed, not into her.

The next thing was to take her back to theatre (next day) with a raft of specialists and consultants to install a fine tube through her neck to hit the nerve bundle with a block. It worked! For a while.

Then she noticed the pain was returning and her back was wet.

Somehow, between theatre and the ward, someone had pulled the tube out - so the drug was running down her back and not into her - so the block wore off and she was in agony again. This meant a couple of hours before morphine and ketamine pumps could be set up again.

Tonight she was back in to theatre for another nerve block to be inserted.

She was sleeping peacefully when I left the hospital. I hope she gets a good night's sleep for a change.

One is reluctant to complain in case the ward staff take it out on her.

[Tank]

I hope everything goes well for you and your Wife, especially, Ron, I had a nasty experience once in hospital but pales to insignificance compared to your Wife's problem, hope all goes well, regards Frank

[p38arover]

Thanks Frank.

[Blknight.aus]

jeezus, Id have been killing people by that point....

seems your wifes luck with nursing staff seems to follow your luck with buying things.....

your not paying for the drugs are you?

[Killer]

That is just terrible Ron, I hope things improve from here. Please pass on the good wishes of the greater AULRO family to your wife.

Cheers, Mick.

[Ean Austral]

That's a sad and terrible story Ron, I hope for your wife and your sake that they finally get their act together and get the job done and your wife gets to be pain free and on the way to recovery.

Best wishes,

Cheers Ean

[justinc]

What!!!:mad::mad: That is just unacceptable Ron, our thoughts are with you and Elizabeth, and give her a hug from us too. Carefully though.....:o

J&J

[Ranga]

Geez Ron - nearly teared up reading that. Terribly sorry for the pain your wife and you are going through. Hope things get better.

[Ausfree]

Jeez, mate, sounds like the Keystone Cops except it's not funny.:( Hope all goes well for you and your wife!!!!:)

[V8Ian]

I hope Elizabeth maker a speedy recovery, Ron.

[Richard93Vogue]

Geez Ron - nearly teared up reading that. Terribly sorry for the pain your wife and you are going through. Hope things get better.

Forget the nearly...I did tear up...
Our thoughts are with you and your wife Ron.



give her a hug from us too. Carefully though.....:o

(I accidentally pulled the epidural from my wifes back when she was giving birth to our daughter, but that's another story!)

[disco gazza]

Sorry to hear of your wife's problems.Hope she gets better soon.

As for the incompetence of the nursing staff,I would be writing to the Director of Nursing with your complaint,with a cc to the Minister of Health.
They might just put the boot up the arse of the staff where your wife is.(Nepean I gather)

[sheerluck]

I really hope that it gets better from here Ron.

If I were in your position, I'd be kicking up a fuss. I had something similar several years ago with my wife at a hospital in the UK, and it was all effectively brushed under the carpet (until recently - Google Stafford General Hospital for all the wonderful details that have come to light in the news).

And I wish your wife a speedy recovery.

[Tusker]

That's just utterly unacceptable. I think I'd be complaining.

Pls pass on my best wishes to Elisabeth. I trust she'll make a full recovery, soon.

Regards
Max P

[wrinklearthur]

Sorry to hear that Elizabeth is having those problems, if the Health system is anything like it is here in Tasmania, I can well understand the way things are ( not ) happening.

Document every thing, all the times of the events and the procedure's that were done, at least it's useful for informing another medical practitioner to get up to speed with her case.
My wife since very early in her career, has always kept a little black book diary on events that have occurred during the time she has been working as a Registered Nurse and this has been a saviour for her when things have turned rough.

With the past events, I would go and have a quiet chat to the Nurse Manager / Director of Nursing of the Hospital about this, but don't leave your only list of those events with them, as these type of records have a way of not returning and disappearing, so make sure it's only a copy of what you have that is left with them.

Get well soon Elizabeth.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/1499.jpg
.

[digger]

Ron,
This is terrible not only for Elizabeth but also for you!

I'm hoping everything gets on an even keel there soon and that Elizabeth can get some relief and move into a speedy recovery.

As suggested earlier with your buying history maybe you shouldnt purchase anything to assist her recovery!! :eek:

Hope all gets better mate.

[87County]

Ron, thank you for letting us know -

how frustrating it must all be !

our family's thoughts are with you and Elizabeth -

regards, Laurie

[Barefoot Dave]

Ron, It is bad enough when you trust a mechanic to do the right thing to your vehicle and earn the Professional rates that are charged, but when it is the wellbeing of a loved one that is in pain......

The sad fact is that most of the staff, if given the time and resources, would provide exemplary care. But all hospitals are now run as businesses, minimise expenditure/ maximise profits. Sorta lost that bit about caring
A very good mate was until recently a nurse trainer. Cutbacks at Qld Health and the External training provider has seen her and 20odd others without a contract!:o
Most of her war stories involve lack of resources, human and financial.

I am very sorry for the pain and anguish of you both.
BDave.

[Chucaro]

My thoughts are on both of you and I wish you wife a rapid recovery

[JohnF]

I haven't been here much lately as my wife has been in hospital for the past three weeks.

Those three weeks have seen a litany of errors and problems in dealing with her. She is in extreme pain requiring morphine and ketamine to try to alleviate it.

She needed a (very expensive - about $1300 per vial) infusion which had to run uninterrupted for 72 hours. On the first attempt the ward thought a vial would last 72 hours. (Simple maths would have told them it wouldn't). It didn't and they hadn't ordered any more in so the infusion was interrupted for about 6 hours.

Oh, the nursing staff hadn't read the protocol on administering the drug so my wife had to tell each new shift what they had to do (she's had it before). Not that they believed her - after all she's just a patient. I brought a copy of the protocol (that we got from the hospital last time) from home just in case. Admittedly, it is a rare drug protocol so nursing staff in a general ward wouldn't be expected to know it.

That meant the drug infusion had to be restarted again once more drugs were obtained.

After a few hours, the cannula tissued so the infusion had to be stopped. By this time it was evening.

A doctor was called to insert a new cannula. She couldn't - and then was called away - never to return.

The next day they decided to install a femoral central line and got the infusion going again.

Then she was taken to theatre for an angioplasty so the infusion was disconnected. When she came out, they forgot to restart the infusion. So the next day they started it again. Don't forget, we are talking about $1300 per vial here.

As she was in extreme pain (try watching your wife shaking and crying in pain :mad: ) they connected her to morphine and ketamine pumps.

Great. For a while. Until my wife said it isn't working. The response was effectively "No dear, the pumps are working ok and you're getting the morphine".

When my wife complained the bed was wet, she was offered an incontinence pad. What had happened was that one of the clamps on the central line (in her groin) had been released so when she pressed the button for a hit of morphine, it was being pumped onto the bed, not into her.

The next thing was to take her back to theatre (next day) with a raft of specialists and consultants to install a fine tube through her neck to hit the nerve bundle with a block. It worked! For a while.

Then she noticed the pain was returning and her back was wet.

Somehow, between theatre and the ward, someone had pulled the tube out - so the drug was running down her back and not into her - so the block wore off and she was in agony again. This meant a couple of hours before morphine and ketamine pumps could be set up again.

Tonight she was back in to theatre for another nerve block to be inserted.

She was sleeping peacefully when I left the hospital. I hope she gets a good night's sleep for a change.

One is reluctant to complain in case the ward staff take it out on her.

So sad to hear of your troubles Ron. I know if you love your wife, which I assume you do, that her suffering will also cause you to suffer as well.

I wish you both the best and will be praying for you, John.

[JohnF]

That's just utterly unacceptable. I think I'd be complaining.

Pls pass on my best wishes to Elisabeth. I trust she'll make a full recovery, soon.

Regards
Max P

Yes I would be complaining and making a big fuss.

But perhaps only after she is home from Hospital, so their can be no comeback on her. That would be a judgement I would have to think about.

[JohnF]

Sorry to hear of your wife's problems.Hope she gets better soon.

As for the incompetence of the nursing staff,I would be writing to the Director of Nursing with your complaint,with a cc to the Minister of Health.
They might just put the boot up the arse of the staff where your wife is.(Nepean I gather)

I would try to go further than that-- something like 7.30 report or 60 minutes, etc.

[Disco Muppet]

That's flat out unacceptable mate, not the level of professionalism you'd want from health care specialists.
I hope your wife makes a speedy recovery.
Best wishes.
Muppet

[SBD4]

Ron, I am sorry to read about the litany of incompetence and unprofessionalism your wife has been subjected to. There is no excuse for them not listening to you both and assuming that they are the ones that know what is required or is happening at all times. The only way a health professional can diagnose and treat is to listen and observe - it seems that they did neither.

No doubt these people are over worked and cut backs have made their jobs more difficult but none of that can provide an excuse for the lack of care they taken in their approach to treating her.

She has been subjected to more pain and suffering over an extended period than she might have been had she been treated properly in the first place. I would not let them get away with it Ron. Give them a hiding.

It seems that the quality of nursing care has diminished since the days when training had a much heavier bias to practical experience. With that being as it is and the work loads they have, is it any wonder they are jaded and lack empathy? Appalling.

It must have been very hard for you to watch all of this Ron. I wish her a speedy and uncomplicated recovery so you can get back to some semblance of normalcy.

All the best to you both.

[CraigE]

Ron,
Sorry to hear that and hope all gets better. While being rare there is no excuse for the staff, at the start of their shift they should have been made aware of this and familiarized themselves with the drug protocols and CPGs around it. The cannula should have been flushed on a regular basis to ensure the port remained open, standard practice when we cannulate anyone.
We get this a bit from hospital staff at times that think because we are minesite medical we do not know as much as them, which is incorrect and often know as much or more as we are used to looking after patients with only doctors consults by phone.
Hope things do get better.

[Chucaro]

In cases like this I just wonder how much responsibility is in the shoulders of the hospital administrative board.
During my stay in hospitals I saw that some of the staff is absolutely tired because the long hours and patients under their care. This for sure have to affects their performance and judgment.

[numpty]

Geez Ron. I hope it improves from here on.

Please pass on my best to Elisabeth.

[Gillie]

Sorry to hear this Ron. Hoping for a speedy recovery.

[p38arover]

Unbelievable.

The second block line was sutured in but it was also pulled out last night. The pain team don't know why and don't plan to try again.

I'm just off to the hospital again.

Thanks everyone for your good wishes.

Ron

[Hymie]

Geez mate,I can't believe what I'm reading, what a pack of incompetent fools they come across as.
Stay strong mate, both you and Elizabeth are in my thoughts and prayers.

Hymie

[worane]

Get her into another hospital and also get into the matron/ management and give them a huge serve and threaten them with sueing for incompetence.
Hope she is well again soon.

[Chucaro]

Get her into another hospital and also get into the matron/ management and give them a huge serve and threaten them with sueing for incompetence.
Hope she is well again soon.

X 2, some heads have to roll :mad:

[frantic]

So sorry to hear of the stuff ups your experiencing hope all goes right from now on.
Chucaro it seems to be a common problem as my mother-in-law is going through a similar problem at the moment where she has had a cancer keyhole op, where they "knicked an artery" requiring 2L of blood transfusions, then after extreme pain, had to be revived 2x sat night so needed a pacemaker put in, which the doctor stuffed up twice and pierced her lungs! So now has had a tube inserted into her side TWICE , to drain the air leaking out of her lungs ,as they stuffed that the first time as well!
I also understand the issue your going through of making a complaint or waiting , as 2011-12 my premmie bub was in NICU for 3 months and there where only a few stuff ups thankfully but I/we where worried about the fallout from a big complaint landing on our bub.
Take care and try to get enough sleep so you can get there safely each day.

[101RRS]

I am sorry to say that Ron's unfortunate experiences and others reflect my own experiences - the medical/hospital system is not what it should be.

Garry

[ezyrama]

Sorry to hear about your wifes troubles Ron, we all really hope she is on the mend quickly. It is so hard sitting there being so good with your hands but not being able to do anything, My daughter was run over a few years ago and spent a week in hospital(she is ok now thank God), so I know exactly how you feel. Mate get out on the Strom and clear the head, it works wonders for me.

Cheers Ian

[Flipper]

Ron, you and your wife have our utmost love and support.
Horrible situation for anyone to deal with. Been there myself...

Doctors are not gods, and they are in a category of being over worked and only human like you and I who screw up from time to time under pressure.

Follow your heart mate, and my gut says get your wonderful missus out of that hospital ASAP.

[Epic_Dragon]

hope things improve, sending lots of healing vibes to your wife, and lots of support to you! i know what it is like when hospitals do not do stuff right, been on recieving end myself :( and lost my wonderful aunty start of last year thanks to stupid hospital failing at doing their job!

[Cobber]

hope things improve, sending lots of healing vibes to your wife, and lots of support to you! I second that :)

I hope things turn around for you soon.

[Treads]

Sorry to hear this Ron. I hope they get things sorted soon. Best wishes to Elizabeth.








Just don't cast any doubt on the medical profession here though mate or there'll be thunder and lightning from a few delusional people that will swear black and blue that doctors can't make mistakes :angel: :wasntme:

[George130]

Sorry to hear ron.

Most staff are exelent and will understand.
From our experiences speak to them and yes complain if possible out of earshot of your wife.

I know when they butchered my wife and we ended up covering hundred's of km in the car back and forth to get things sorted. Once the yelling started we won and you should have seen how fast staff ran when the chief lost it at them.

All they had to do last year was mention the doctors name in my pressence and it went off. Flatly insisted he was not welcome on the same planet and I would hit him if he came. Then said no I'm driving her to melborne right now. Again instant attention and the you can't she will die. Again we had the chief visiting first thing the next morning to ensure all was ok and the sorry I understand why you hate the doctor so much.