It’s been a long day and I think my brain may be a bit on the fried side, so please bear with me, and I hope this all makes sense.
First of all Ole has made more progress in the last 24 hours. The area of coverage is reduced and the intensity of the redness is reduced. So that's all good. But he still has a lot of pain. Says when he steps on the leg it feels like it's going to explode from the pressure.
Yesterday the doctor I spoke with on the phone said they were going to keep Ole for a minimum of two more days with IVs. Today I was supposed to meet with the two doctors and one intern that are overseeing him. Well, I did. That's where the AACCCKKK comes in.
All three are Indian, and difficult to understand. I'm beginning to wonder if The Big Hospital even HAS any white doctors anymore - doctors that speak AMERICAN ENGLISH.
Anyway, the head doctor of the team is female - not that there's anything wrong with that - BUT - - she marched in, looked down her nose at me and told me that they were discharging Ole today. They were going to take him off the IVs and send him home with two new oral antibiotics. She assured me that these new oral pills would cover a broader spectrum of "bugs" than the ones he had been sent home with before. And IF he didn't get better on these pills then I should just bring him back.
NOT!!
First of all, if he's finally making progress on the meds he's on now, why not let him make a bit more progress before changing things again. Second, why was I told one thing late yesterday afternoon and now the whole plan was 180 degrees different - yesterday I was told he had to be there for at least two more days and now you want to discharge him. What happened that made such a drastic difference in the treatment plan? Third, these three Indian doctors are Internal Medicine. Why hasn't someone from Infectious Disease seen him, as was ordered by the doctor in the ER on the day Ole was admitted.
Lady Dr. informed me that she had consulted ON THE PHONE with someone from Infectious Disease, but she didn't feel that anyone needed to see him from that department. She felt that he had made sufficient progress in the last 24 hours that he could be taken off the IVs and put on oral meds. I explained to her AGAIN what had happened the first time he was taken off IVs too soon - that's what caused him to end up in the hospital. I told her I wanted him to make MORE progress than just 24 hours worth before I would be willing to take him home.
We battled verbally back and forth for several minutes but she would not change her mind about anything. Finally Ole just gave in and said, okay, let's try it. I gave up also - because I could see there would be no changing this woman's mind. I think her ego was getting in the way and she was refusing to listen to what we were saying.
After Lady Dr. left I called Lovely Daughter and explained to her that her father was being discharged. I could hear the explosion from where I was sitting – 3 miles from her office. I guess there are times when it's okay for your daughter to be assertive and aggressive. She came over to the hospital immediately and asked to see Lady Dr.. She and I went through the same scenario again - let's get him a bit better before we make changes, and again she wouldn't hear of it. Finally Lovely Daughter pulled out the Big Guns and told her that we wanted a second opinion - according to the Patient's Bill of Rights we have the right to have a second opinion and we wanted it from someone from Infectious Disease. Lady Dr. was so taken aback - you could see in her face that she didn't like it, but that she couldn't deny us the second opinion, and said she would make arrangements for someone from Infectious Disease to come over tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile the doggers had been shut up in the garage for more than 8 hours so we decided to run home and let them out. By the time we got back to the hospital the Infectious Disease guy (another Indian by the way) had been to see Ole, looked at his leg, shook his head and said there was no way that he should be sent home. His plan is to keep him on IVs for another 48 hours THEN evaluate. His theory is that once you find something that's working you don't change it - let it work. Although he has added Augmentin to the "syrup" that Ole’s getting. Augmentin is a kind of penicillin specifically used for skin infections - and is super powerful - more so than the oral drugs he had been given.
WHY should things have to be this difficult. I think this woman's ego was getting in the way of practicing good medicine.
Following this entire scenario, Ole's nurse, came in and told us that she was caring for 4 patients on the floor. Lady Dr. wanted all four of them discharged today. In the nurse's opinion only one was ready to be discharged, and if the other three (which included Ole) were discharged she was going to write up a safety report on each case so that if they had to be readmitted to the hospital there could be some documentation regarding care. If this were to happen she advised us to contact a patient advocate and proceed from there. She also told us we could fire Lady Dr. from Ole’s case. If this kind of care continues we just may do that.
So there you have it - at least as much as I can remember as I think my brain has turned to mush. It's been a long day with a lot of stress. You shouldn't have to go through this type of thing when you are in, or have a loved one in a medical facility. You should just be taken care of and not have to worry about getting correct and proper care.
First of all Ole has made more progress in the last 24 hours. The area of coverage is reduced and the intensity of the redness is reduced. So that's all good. But he still has a lot of pain. Says when he steps on the leg it feels like it's going to explode from the pressure.
Yesterday the doctor I spoke with on the phone said they were going to keep Ole for a minimum of two more days with IVs. Today I was supposed to meet with the two doctors and one intern that are overseeing him. Well, I did. That's where the AACCCKKK comes in.
All three are Indian, and difficult to understand. I'm beginning to wonder if The Big Hospital even HAS any white doctors anymore - doctors that speak AMERICAN ENGLISH.
Anyway, the head doctor of the team is female - not that there's anything wrong with that - BUT - - she marched in, looked down her nose at me and told me that they were discharging Ole today. They were going to take him off the IVs and send him home with two new oral antibiotics. She assured me that these new oral pills would cover a broader spectrum of "bugs" than the ones he had been sent home with before. And IF he didn't get better on these pills then I should just bring him back.
NOT!!
First of all, if he's finally making progress on the meds he's on now, why not let him make a bit more progress before changing things again. Second, why was I told one thing late yesterday afternoon and now the whole plan was 180 degrees different - yesterday I was told he had to be there for at least two more days and now you want to discharge him. What happened that made such a drastic difference in the treatment plan? Third, these three Indian doctors are Internal Medicine. Why hasn't someone from Infectious Disease seen him, as was ordered by the doctor in the ER on the day Ole was admitted.
Lady Dr. informed me that she had consulted ON THE PHONE with someone from Infectious Disease, but she didn't feel that anyone needed to see him from that department. She felt that he had made sufficient progress in the last 24 hours that he could be taken off the IVs and put on oral meds. I explained to her AGAIN what had happened the first time he was taken off IVs too soon - that's what caused him to end up in the hospital. I told her I wanted him to make MORE progress than just 24 hours worth before I would be willing to take him home.
We battled verbally back and forth for several minutes but she would not change her mind about anything. Finally Ole just gave in and said, okay, let's try it. I gave up also - because I could see there would be no changing this woman's mind. I think her ego was getting in the way and she was refusing to listen to what we were saying.
After Lady Dr. left I called Lovely Daughter and explained to her that her father was being discharged. I could hear the explosion from where I was sitting – 3 miles from her office. I guess there are times when it's okay for your daughter to be assertive and aggressive. She came over to the hospital immediately and asked to see Lady Dr.. She and I went through the same scenario again - let's get him a bit better before we make changes, and again she wouldn't hear of it. Finally Lovely Daughter pulled out the Big Guns and told her that we wanted a second opinion - according to the Patient's Bill of Rights we have the right to have a second opinion and we wanted it from someone from Infectious Disease. Lady Dr. was so taken aback - you could see in her face that she didn't like it, but that she couldn't deny us the second opinion, and said she would make arrangements for someone from Infectious Disease to come over tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile the doggers had been shut up in the garage for more than 8 hours so we decided to run home and let them out. By the time we got back to the hospital the Infectious Disease guy (another Indian by the way) had been to see Ole, looked at his leg, shook his head and said there was no way that he should be sent home. His plan is to keep him on IVs for another 48 hours THEN evaluate. His theory is that once you find something that's working you don't change it - let it work. Although he has added Augmentin to the "syrup" that Ole’s getting. Augmentin is a kind of penicillin specifically used for skin infections - and is super powerful - more so than the oral drugs he had been given.
WHY should things have to be this difficult. I think this woman's ego was getting in the way of practicing good medicine.
Following this entire scenario, Ole's nurse, came in and told us that she was caring for 4 patients on the floor. Lady Dr. wanted all four of them discharged today. In the nurse's opinion only one was ready to be discharged, and if the other three (which included Ole) were discharged she was going to write up a safety report on each case so that if they had to be readmitted to the hospital there could be some documentation regarding care. If this were to happen she advised us to contact a patient advocate and proceed from there. She also told us we could fire Lady Dr. from Ole’s case. If this kind of care continues we just may do that.
So there you have it - at least as much as I can remember as I think my brain has turned to mush. It's been a long day with a lot of stress. You shouldn't have to go through this type of thing when you are in, or have a loved one in a medical facility. You should just be taken care of and not have to worry about getting correct and proper care.
12 comments:
Glad it came out and I agree, you ought not to need to struggle like that. I suppose the correct thing to do now is to ask the first doctor why her opinion was so much at odds with that of the specialist. And then sack her.
Maybe it 'shouldn't' be like this, but this is the way it is. The informed medical care consumer is the well cared-for medical care consumer. You are the boss - they are being paid by you (or your insurance, which you pay for) to provide service. It is up to you to make sure that they provide what they are being paid for. This is hard, we are taught that we are supposed to just shut up and trust the experts. It doesn't work that way, and many people suffer a great deal rather than learn to stand up for themselves. Good for you and your daughter for fighting to get the right care for Ole. Keep it up. :-) Mel
OMG! This is incredible!! Thank goodness for Lovely Daughter stepping in to help. When one is in your position and so distraught already, it's nice to have back up!
I hope the 'new' doctor will continue to treat him and Lady Dr is history! And I hope you have no qualms about reporting her actions to the Hospital 'powers that be'.
Good luck and lots of **hugs**!!
I'm glad you wrote this up. Once Ole is better and you can turn your mind to other business, there are two things you need to do:
1. Document it completely and send it to the hospital administration. If they don't have a department specifically for such complaints, direct it to the president of the hospital.
2. Write it up for your local newspaper. Not only should other members of the public be aware of this, but a little publicity never hurt.
{{Sending strenght to you both}}
Way to go Katress! And way to go Lena! I'd fire that doctor immediately. That is ridiculous and it reminds us all that we need to be our own advocate or the advocate for our loved ones. Let's hope that doctor changes her direction and becomes a pharmaceutical rep or Wal-Mart greeter.
Man. That just ticks me off. You want me to come up there? I'll give them all a what-for. I'm pretty danged good around medical people, having a crazy hospital nurse mother and all.
Ugh, that's just terrible. I'm so glad Lovely Daughter gave it to that doctor with both barrels. I hope Ole's meds continue to work, and that he comes home soon fully healthy. Many hugs to you all!
That is truly heinous! It is just SO not right of that doctor! Is everything about saving money these days? Thank goodness the other doctor had a brain he was willing to use. Thanks for the update. Hugs and love to everyone.
I'm glad Lovely Daughter came over... YOU are the boss there, well, Ole is, but he has every right to get treatment he needs. Good for you! And definitely do report this to the administration!!!
Makes me wonder if she gets a bonus from the insurance company for discharging patients prematurely. I've heard of that happening in other hospitals. Usually leads to malpractice suits, heheheh.
Good for you and LD! I'm glad that other doctor, Infectious Disease, is on staff. He sounds like a guy who really cares about doing right by patients.
((((((((((Hugs for Healing)))))))))),
~ Sil in Corea
Heh. I'm the family agressor. :) Like I said before, I'm generally able to be verbose enough to be tactful, but still GET WHAT I WANT!!
I've been keeping up, just didn't have time to post a comment... until today. I went through this last summer with my father (who was 91). Getting the help we needed was like pulling teeth. AND doctors just don't communicate well. It's like they think you can read their minds. Like... can't you understand why I'm sending ____ home? I understand your mental exhaustion, your brain fry. It's rough. Aren't you lucky to have "Lovely Daughter?" Sorry you guys are missing your vacation. Better things will come your way, wait and see.
Fire that lady doctor immediately. She has no concern for Ole. She's just freeing up beds to admit someone else. Hope Ole continues to rally back to health.
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