Hospital Journal

[Guest guest]

Ruby,

You wrote, " I have had him (Floyd) transferred to MUSC, where they have him

on IV

feedings and will check tomorrow to see if they can fix the feeding tube. He

is in room 1064 " Thank you for keeping us informed with all of this. I am

glad that we can be here for you. That is so unfortunate that meds were

attempted

to be given through this particular feeding tube, resulting in such an

extended stay and complication, possibly even surgery.

You wrote, " Not sure what we are going to do about the hospital that caused

this extended stay yet, any thoughts? " I cannot respond specifically, because I

wasn't there, though I wish I could have been. My own personal belief is that

both you and Floyd need to surround yourselves with all the things that bring

you strength and healing: Rest, nutrition, love, touch, positive

affirmations, and prayers as you can get. The immune systems with both of you

have taken a

toll with just the stress of being hospitalized and dealing with Chronic

Pancreatitis. It is a physiological proven fact that stress, emotional, mental,

physical, or spiritual has an adverse affect on the body, particularly the

immune system, which is essential for our well being. If you have been wronged

do

not allow yourselves to suffer any additional harm. You can take steps to

handle the situation in the manner you see fit, later, when you are not in such

a

compromised position, medically and emotionally. For now simply focus on

collecting objective data, don't exert energy about making anyone right the

wrong.

Not right now.

Legal Nurse Consultants recommend keeping a journal from admission to

discharge. Take a notebook that has pockets so you can have a place to keep all

the

receipts, things you sign, etc. Every day keep a log of who the staff are, what

is done, who does it, what's it for, what is the outcome / results. When he

gets meds/IVs/IV starts, etc., etc. When the doctors made rounds.

When you are still in the hospital, ask to read your chart to determine if

they recorded the correct history of the present complaint, i.e., plugged

feeding tube and why.

On discharge, or in your case, afterwards, call medical records and request a

copy of your entire medical record. Following discharge continue to keep a

diary of your medical care, particularly making notes on how the " wrong that was

done " has further compromised your health, (days in the hospital, procedures,

weight loss, emotions).

(We should have a drop down selection of closing words),

Regards,

Karyn E. , RN,

Exec. Director, PAI

*http://www.pancassociation.org