Frustrations when dealing with medical needs

[Guest guest]

>Tami wrote:

> What ever happened to the old country doctor who came out to see the patient?!

Tami,

Don't know if I should share or not but I am going to. When I worked on the

psych ward, I had two patients I remembered forever because what happened to

them.

One man, who was diabetic, kept complaining about foot pain, I remembered

diabetics have neuropathic pain and you always have to check the ankles and

hands for swelling. I was assisting with occupational therapy, and we were

playing bacca ball by him throwing the ball from the wheelchair and I would go

retrieve.

They had posted in his chart psychosomatic pain (imagined pain) and

I asked him if anyone had examined his foot with his sock off and he said No.

I told him to take it off please, and Tami his foot was so PURPLE

and swollen from decreased circulation and I went and ordered him diabetic socks

and had my assigned nursing supervisor come look and she called the Doctor

immediately and he was transferred to the medical ward.

The other patient was admitted for depression as he had felt lethargic for a

month and just didn't feel like himself and they admitted him for depression.

Well, since I was a student nurse, I could spend more time (well No, all Nurses

should do this) and he got to talking about he chest feels funny. Well, I got

the stethoscope and listened and I heard crackles and then some dead space.

Again, I called the Nursing supervisor and they did a chest x-ray and he had a

pneumothorax, he had not had a pulse ox or anything to check his lung capacity.

When my nursing supervisor listened to his lung sounds also, seems his had

residual pneumonia, he said just a chest cold, and yes he remembered " bruising

his ribs three weeks ago. "

When he went to the surgical ward first as he had quite a large pneumothrax and

they placed a chest tube in and got blood back.

He was so thankful to me but I gave him my stern, loving, lecture that, it

doesn't hurt to tell people about things as you are not bothering us and you

need to have to have things checked out when they first happen.

That is why it is SO important to carry the list of your medications, dosages,

what they are being treated for, and if you are having lab tests or follow ups.

Insist on your type of medications as I take a specific thyroid medication and

brand Morphine. If the hospital does not have it, they will take yours and

administer it to you in the hospital, although I left my breakthrough meds in my

purse and told my husband if I got in pain and did not have anything, I will

take mine and tell my Doctor as that is what she prescribed for me, but I have

not had this problem, yet.

I found out from a nurse (one that was nice and others that were not) that even

though I had pain meds ordered for me, I could not be given them if I could not

tell the my pain level was over five, if it was over five, I got one Percocet,

if above seven, I got two.

This was not my surgeon's policy but I guess Nurses and I am not good giving

pain numbers when I am hurting like hell, I told them, I manage my own meds at

home and don't have anyone withholding them if they think I don't need them.

I usual get the Attila the huns, when I ask for pain meds at the hospital,

especially when I answer if I ask for them, I am hurting and really don't think

there is a number and don't feel like doing this, give me my meds. She called

my Doctor and the Doctor said, Hey its within the hours, I prescribed them give

her her damn pain meds and don't call me, if I say if patient requests, it's

when patient requests and he gave me something to sleep to boot.

Needless to say, this Nurse continued to try to boss me and I tried to tell her

my IV was infiltrating and she flushed it with heparin and said , I am getting

blood return (I saw, not much). Then when she turned on the lights my arm was

so puffed up and swollen at my

IV site. I had told her, it is burning, you just put an IV push on

it with meds and it is infiltrating in my skin and i got these splotches.

Well, she finally left me alone and I asked for a k-pad for my arm (its warm

moisture heat) and she said, all of them on our floor are being used. I asked,

can you call another ward since there are so many assigned per floor or in

central supply.

I thought they were going to give me flowers when I left to get me out of there

but, damn, do your job. I know they are understaffed and I really don't call

them if I need them but I bring the list of my meds and make sure they get the

same ones as you say, Tami.

Sorry for the book, but it hit home and patients need to be treated better

sometimes. Know which hospitals you Doctor has privileges and they are required

to post it on their websites or usually do on paperwork.

The old country doctor who used to come out and see patients where I worked and

lived all have hospital wards, clinics, and rehab units named after them with

bronze plates with their names and accomplishments.

Boy am I old, and we used to be paid sometimes with jams, produce, and nice

quilts as our Doctors subtracted that off costs or put no charge as with our bad

cancer patients that had not insurance, they would be dead in ninety days before

they qualify and if they worked all their life to own property or a home, it

counted against them.

Bennie

[Guest guest]

Bennie,

Boy can I related to what you have said. I worked in mental health and did so

one on one on the unit from time to time. One patient I was watching started to

look bad. her breathing was shallow and I couldn't get her to response to

stimuli. I called the nurse. Two nurses stood there for several mins trying to

decide what to do. I wanted to scream at them check her blood pressure and give

her some oxygen! that patient wound up in ICU.

I have seen and experienced nurses who are too " busy " with paperwork to want to

get you a pill when you call.

I started out to be a nurse back in the late 70s. I changed to psychology

because I wanted something more personal.

Medicine has improved is care but become to specialized and so much paperwork.

Doctors and nurses have less time to listen to patients. Medicine does not

think the patient knows anything. We live with our body 24 hr/7. what are they

thinking!!

I am sure plenty of us have nightmare experiences to share. It is sad.

TC and hugs, Tami

> Bennie wrote:

> Don't know if I should share or not but I am going to. When I worked on the

psych ward, I had two patients I remembered forever because what happened to

them.

[Guest guest]

Bennie

If I get sick I want you as my nurse! I worked in a nursing home in high school

and I know what you mean about a little kindness goes a long way.

There are those in any field that are terrible. It is worse to see it from

those who take care of the sick, elderly and children who are just abusive

towards them.

I remember being in the shower room with another aide. We were both giving

showers. Her patient was yelling and she lost her temper. She took the hose

and hit the woman in the face with water telling her to shut up. I was stunned.

I told her to get out. I finished both patients and reported the incident to

the nurse. I came close sometimes to losing my temper when I was spit, bit or

pinched. However I would not let myself lose control. I would count to 10. I

tried to do small things to help my patients.

Even when I worked as the hospital on call mental health crisis worker, I had no

problem getting patients something to eat or drink. I keep them updated on what

was happening. If I had several patients waiting to be seen by me, I would stop

in the room, introduce myself and explain that I would be with them as soon as

possible.

I treated patients the way I wanted to be treated.

maybe if everyone keep that in mind the world would be a better place.

Lots of gentle hugs, tami

> Bennie wrote:

> I hope everyone that has a date in the hospital has great nurses, but arrange

for family and friends to be there to watch over you to make sure you get you

pain meds when you ask and you procedures done in a caring manner. The worse

thing you can do is not report it as you think it minor or you don't want to get

anyone in trouble as if they have to address complaint forms and quality

assurance monitors the problems and if they don't correct them it may effect

their accrediation.