Guest guest Posted July 13, 2001 Report Share Posted July 13, 2001 Cindy, Being relatively new as a post-op I can tell you the nursing care at Mount Sanai is downright scary. The best example I can give is that I did not have a call a button in my room. I could have keeled over and they would never have known. When I asked an Aide to point out the call button he suddenly remembered an emergency he had to attend to. There was a call button in the bathroom but that did not do me a lot of good. Luckily they appear to time your IV so those changes are made regularly. My bed was apparently pulled out of some old closet because I could not find a way to lower it enough to get in and out of it comfortably. When your IV line goes off get ready for a wait becuase it can sound off for 15 minutes before they notice that it is off. And guess what everytime you go to the bathroom it goes off. Then they come in and look at you as though you are the lowest person on the earth for disturbing them. I never dreamed that there could be a more uncaring group of people. It almost seems as though they have no idea that you just had surgery. Now I brought this on myself because I was aware before I checked in that I should hire a personal companion but I felt that the expense was more than I could afford considering what disabilty pays during recovery. Knowing what I know now I would have tapped the savings and arranged for a personal aide before I even arrived. At the end of the 3 days I had to leave. I didn't feel terribly strong and I had to fly home that day but there was no way in hell I was staying there one more day. After travelling to the airport and flying home I felt horrible and I was pushing it but I felt safer coming home and risking readmission at a local hospital. I did not even consider staying in NYC for a few days to be safe because if there was an emergency I would have been readmitted to that hell-hole. My advice to anyone having surgery there is to hire a personal aide. Make sure that your friends and family will come in daily. Now to temper my opinion I did have a wonderful night nurses aide and if I could hold out until he got there then he saw to it that I got what I needed. He was extremely supportive and informative. He was the exception. Tina > In a message dated 6/27/01 12:26:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, > Cinloo59@a... writes: > > > > This was the kind and prompt reply I got from Dr. Herron....he is a > > gentleman > > and from the sound of your opinions... a great doctor...but this is a pat > > answer to my concern....in any case....those that wish to email me, please > > do....while the doctor is together on this....the hospital needs to address > > it properly and business is business and I doubt that even Mt. Sinai would > > not miss a few of us going elsewhere....Funny isn't it....I'm becoming less > > scared of the actual operation then of dealing with the staff after....such > > a > > long road this is and so many damn bumps... > > > > Cindy S > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2001 Report Share Posted July 13, 2001 Cindy, Being relatively new as a post-op I can tell you the nursing care at Mount Sanai is downright scary. The best example I can give is that I did not have a call a button in my room. I could have keeled over and they would never have known. When I asked an Aide to point out the call button he suddenly remembered an emergency he had to attend to. There was a call button in the bathroom but that did not do me a lot of good. Luckily they appear to time your IV so those changes are made regularly. My bed was apparently pulled out of some old closet because I could not find a way to lower it enough to get in and out of it comfortably. When your IV line goes off get ready for a wait becuase it can sound off for 15 minutes before they notice that it is off. And guess what everytime you go to the bathroom it goes off. Then they come in and look at you as though you are the lowest person on the earth for disturbing them. I never dreamed that there could be a more uncaring group of people. It almost seems as though they have no idea that you just had surgery. Now I brought this on myself because I was aware before I checked in that I should hire a personal companion but I felt that the expense was more than I could afford considering what disabilty pays during recovery. Knowing what I know now I would have tapped the savings and arranged for a personal aide before I even arrived. At the end of the 3 days I had to leave. I didn't feel terribly strong and I had to fly home that day but there was no way in hell I was staying there one more day. After travelling to the airport and flying home I felt horrible and I was pushing it but I felt safer coming home and risking readmission at a local hospital. I did not even consider staying in NYC for a few days to be safe because if there was an emergency I would have been readmitted to that hell-hole. My advice to anyone having surgery there is to hire a personal aide. Make sure that your friends and family will come in daily. Now to temper my opinion I did have a wonderful night nurses aide and if I could hold out until he got there then he saw to it that I got what I needed. He was extremely supportive and informative. He was the exception. Tina > In a message dated 6/27/01 12:26:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, > Cinloo59@a... writes: > > > > This was the kind and prompt reply I got from Dr. Herron....he is a > > gentleman > > and from the sound of your opinions... a great doctor...but this is a pat > > answer to my concern....in any case....those that wish to email me, please > > do....while the doctor is together on this....the hospital needs to address > > it properly and business is business and I doubt that even Mt. Sinai would > > not miss a few of us going elsewhere....Funny isn't it....I'm becoming less > > scared of the actual operation then of dealing with the staff after....such > > a > > long road this is and so many damn bumps... > > > > Cindy S > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2001 Report Share Posted July 15, 2001 Nonsense. You should not have the burden of providing for your own care in the hospital. This is why there is a hospital staff with nurses and buttons and fancy stuff that lights up when you breathe funny. Mt. Sinai is charging your insurance company for care and then expecting you to provide it. I have read Dr. Herron's reply before and i can't believe that the nurses and hospital need to study this problem at length to figure out that there are not enough folks on the floor to properly care for the patients. The answer to this that you put an ad in the NY Times and hire a few people. Yes, it will cost them money. That's not your problem or mine. They want to study the problem to figure out how to do it for free, which will be some study indeed Part of the problem is hospitals dont get what they bill...so they in turn cut down by having less RN's and more assistants (who are not able to do as much and may not be as well trained since they are making maybe a few dollars over minimum wage) and then the hospital wants to make a profit to pay the big wigs the big bucks so they cut back even more so the RN's have to many people to care for and then we all get less care. Its really sad...and not the RN's fault usually. After working for a hospital...I know where the blame should be...its right in the admin office where the big wigs are...the ones that dont have a clue what really is needed on the floor where the patients are...and these people dont listen to the drs or nurses, they listen to the dollar. ~~* AJ *~~ BMI 59 Surgery date 7/24/01 going self pay - Dr Baltasar Spain Check out the Bellingham Support for WLS WWW.lookin2bthin.homestead.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2001 Report Share Posted July 15, 2001 Nonsense. You should not have the burden of providing for your own care in the hospital. This is why there is a hospital staff with nurses and buttons and fancy stuff that lights up when you breathe funny. Mt. Sinai is charging your insurance company for care and then expecting you to provide it. I have read Dr. Herron's reply before and i can't believe that the nurses and hospital need to study this problem at length to figure out that there are not enough folks on the floor to properly care for the patients. The answer to this that you put an ad in the NY Times and hire a few people. Yes, it will cost them money. That's not your problem or mine. They want to study the problem to figure out how to do it for free, which will be some study indeed Part of the problem is hospitals dont get what they bill...so they in turn cut down by having less RN's and more assistants (who are not able to do as much and may not be as well trained since they are making maybe a few dollars over minimum wage) and then the hospital wants to make a profit to pay the big wigs the big bucks so they cut back even more so the RN's have to many people to care for and then we all get less care. Its really sad...and not the RN's fault usually. After working for a hospital...I know where the blame should be...its right in the admin office where the big wigs are...the ones that dont have a clue what really is needed on the floor where the patients are...and these people dont listen to the drs or nurses, they listen to the dollar. ~~* AJ *~~ BMI 59 Surgery date 7/24/01 going self pay - Dr Baltasar Spain Check out the Bellingham Support for WLS WWW.lookin2bthin.homestead.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2001 Report Share Posted July 15, 2001 Tina wrote: > >Now I brought this on myself because I was aware before I checked in >that I should hire a personal companion.... Tina, Nonsense. You should not have the burden of providing for your own care in the hospital. This is why there is a hospital staff with nurses and buttons and fancy stuff that lights up when you breathe funny. Mt. Sinai is charging your insurance company for care and then expecting you to provide it. I have read Dr. Herron's reply before and i can't believe that the nurses and hospital need to study this problem at length to figure out that there are not enough folks on the floor to properly care for the patients. The answer to this that you put an ad in the NY Times and hire a few people. Yes, it will cost them money. That's not your problem or mine. They want to study the problem to figure out how to do it for free, which will be some study indeed .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2001 Report Share Posted July 15, 2001 Tina wrote: > >Now I brought this on myself because I was aware before I checked in >that I should hire a personal companion.... Tina, Nonsense. You should not have the burden of providing for your own care in the hospital. This is why there is a hospital staff with nurses and buttons and fancy stuff that lights up when you breathe funny. Mt. Sinai is charging your insurance company for care and then expecting you to provide it. I have read Dr. Herron's reply before and i can't believe that the nurses and hospital need to study this problem at length to figure out that there are not enough folks on the floor to properly care for the patients. The answer to this that you put an ad in the NY Times and hire a few people. Yes, it will cost them money. That's not your problem or mine. They want to study the problem to figure out how to do it for free, which will be some study indeed .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2001 Report Share Posted July 15, 2001 AJ, I agree with you 100%. I'm sure the staff is well meaning and frustrated. It's the beancounters. I still wouldn't go near a hospital that expected me to bring my own help! And good luck in Spain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2001 Report Share Posted July 15, 2001 AJ, I agree with you 100%. I'm sure the staff is well meaning and frustrated. It's the beancounters. I still wouldn't go near a hospital that expected me to bring my own help! And good luck in Spain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2001 Report Share Posted July 15, 2001 This is a HUGE shortage of nursing staff - nationwide! Our health system is paying any employee who refers a nurse for a position, who is then subsequently hired $500 for the referral. Dina in Aloha, OR Age 37/BMI 61 Waiting for my consult with Dr. Hoping my new insurance will cover it all.... Re: Concerning hospital staff Tina wrote: > >Now I brought this on myself because I was aware before I checked in >that I should hire a personal companion.... Tina, Nonsense. You should not have the burden of providing for your own care in the hospital. This is why there is a hospital staff with nurses and buttons and fancy stuff that lights up when you breathe funny. Mt. Sinai is charging your insurance company for care and then expecting you to provide it. I have read Dr. Herron's reply before and i can't believe that the nurses and hospital need to study this problem at length to figure out that there are not enough folks on the floor to properly care for the patients. The answer to this that you put an ad in the NY Times and hire a few people. Yes, it will cost them money. That's not your problem or mine. They want to study the problem to figure out how to do it for free, which will be some study indeed .. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2001 Report Share Posted July 15, 2001 This is a HUGE shortage of nursing staff - nationwide! Our health system is paying any employee who refers a nurse for a position, who is then subsequently hired $500 for the referral. Dina in Aloha, OR Age 37/BMI 61 Waiting for my consult with Dr. Hoping my new insurance will cover it all.... Re: Concerning hospital staff Tina wrote: > >Now I brought this on myself because I was aware before I checked in >that I should hire a personal companion.... Tina, Nonsense. You should not have the burden of providing for your own care in the hospital. This is why there is a hospital staff with nurses and buttons and fancy stuff that lights up when you breathe funny. Mt. Sinai is charging your insurance company for care and then expecting you to provide it. I have read Dr. Herron's reply before and i can't believe that the nurses and hospital need to study this problem at length to figure out that there are not enough folks on the floor to properly care for the patients. The answer to this that you put an ad in the NY Times and hire a few people. Yes, it will cost them money. That's not your problem or mine. They want to study the problem to figure out how to do it for free, which will be some study indeed .. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2001 Report Share Posted July 15, 2001 I say go with private RN s after your surgery ,it is sad but the floor nurses are too overworked and u want to get out of the surgery alive, surgery is surgery,i almost died from an overdose of narcotics so special care to make sure your vital signs are stable is worth it karen ny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2001 Report Share Posted July 15, 2001 I say go with private RN s after your surgery ,it is sad but the floor nurses are too overworked and u want to get out of the surgery alive, surgery is surgery,i almost died from an overdose of narcotics so special care to make sure your vital signs are stable is worth it karen ny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2001 Report Share Posted July 15, 2001 To be honest I could tell that they felt overworked. I worked in a nursing home at one point and I cared for 8-10 patients everyday. I never treated my patients the way that these nurses do. If I had handled my patients the way that the nurses at Mount Sanai do they would have had bed sores and bruises and extremely low morale. We are all overworked it is the new american disease. There is no excuse for making people feel as though they are a burden to you and it keeps patients from telling when they have a problem. I support a large network of computer users now and I can tell you that 80% of the problems they have they bring on themselves. When I arrive at their desks I smile and I explain what the problem is. Even when they do something that is downright awful I don't tell them that it is their fault or make them feel bad about it. I try to correct their mistakes and instill confidence. I do my best to make sure that they feel as though I am there for them. As a result I am usually the first person they call when they are having a problem becuase they know that I will not degrade them or make them feel like they are less than human. Customer service extends into most fields including health care. I do not care how many patients a nurse has it only takes 2 secinds to smile and say something nice. Most of the things that I needed would have taken less than 10 minutes. So ten minutes 3 times a day so that I can be comfortable instead of staying in bed holding my bladder for hours to keep from setting off the IV line so that Nurse Cratchet wouldn't come in scowling is not a whole lot to ask. I only went to there because Dr.Gagner was there and I think that is the case for many patients. Gagner is a wonderful surgeon and I wanted the best. But looking back on the horrible care that I received I might think twice. Despite the recent issues NYU seems the better place to recover from surgery. I think that the Dr's are trapped into using Mount Sanai, but what will happen when they move on to other hospitals? Mount Sanai should have fun then. > > > >Now I brought this on myself because I was aware before I checked in > > >that I should hire a personal companion.... > > Tina, > > Nonsense. You should not have the burden of providing for your own care in > the hospital. This is why there is a hospital staff with nurses and buttons > and fancy stuff that lights up when you breathe funny. Mt. Sinai is > charging your insurance company for care and then expecting you to provide > it. I have read Dr. Herron's reply before and i can't believe that the > nurses and hospital need to study this problem at length to figure out that > there are not enough folks on the floor to properly care for the patients. > The answer to this that you put an ad in the NY Times and hire a few people. > Yes, it will cost them money. That's not your problem or mine. They want > to study the problem to figure out how to do it for free, which will be some > study indeed > > . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2001 Report Share Posted July 15, 2001 To be honest I could tell that they felt overworked. I worked in a nursing home at one point and I cared for 8-10 patients everyday. I never treated my patients the way that these nurses do. If I had handled my patients the way that the nurses at Mount Sanai do they would have had bed sores and bruises and extremely low morale. We are all overworked it is the new american disease. There is no excuse for making people feel as though they are a burden to you and it keeps patients from telling when they have a problem. I support a large network of computer users now and I can tell you that 80% of the problems they have they bring on themselves. When I arrive at their desks I smile and I explain what the problem is. Even when they do something that is downright awful I don't tell them that it is their fault or make them feel bad about it. I try to correct their mistakes and instill confidence. I do my best to make sure that they feel as though I am there for them. As a result I am usually the first person they call when they are having a problem becuase they know that I will not degrade them or make them feel like they are less than human. Customer service extends into most fields including health care. I do not care how many patients a nurse has it only takes 2 secinds to smile and say something nice. Most of the things that I needed would have taken less than 10 minutes. So ten minutes 3 times a day so that I can be comfortable instead of staying in bed holding my bladder for hours to keep from setting off the IV line so that Nurse Cratchet wouldn't come in scowling is not a whole lot to ask. I only went to there because Dr.Gagner was there and I think that is the case for many patients. Gagner is a wonderful surgeon and I wanted the best. But looking back on the horrible care that I received I might think twice. Despite the recent issues NYU seems the better place to recover from surgery. I think that the Dr's are trapped into using Mount Sanai, but what will happen when they move on to other hospitals? Mount Sanai should have fun then. > > > >Now I brought this on myself because I was aware before I checked in > > >that I should hire a personal companion.... > > Tina, > > Nonsense. You should not have the burden of providing for your own care in > the hospital. This is why there is a hospital staff with nurses and buttons > and fancy stuff that lights up when you breathe funny. Mt. Sinai is > charging your insurance company for care and then expecting you to provide > it. I have read Dr. Herron's reply before and i can't believe that the > nurses and hospital need to study this problem at length to figure out that > there are not enough folks on the floor to properly care for the patients. > The answer to this that you put an ad in the NY Times and hire a few people. > Yes, it will cost them money. That's not your problem or mine. They want > to study the problem to figure out how to do it for free, which will be some > study indeed > > . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2001 Report Share Posted July 16, 2001 I think we all need to ask about the post op care at Mt. Sinai....I have tried to light a flame under them there and I truly wish others would join...I'm not even pre op yet but I know the need for a caring staff after any surgery...I'm glad that they asked you about it all....I have been in touch with the patient advocacy and boy...it seems to be a case of apathy thoughout this hospital to some extent....I'm thrilled for everyone who has had a positive experience there but we should not take that for granted.... Cindy S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2001 Report Share Posted July 16, 2001 I think we all need to ask about the post op care at Mt. Sinai....I have tried to light a flame under them there and I truly wish others would join...I'm not even pre op yet but I know the need for a caring staff after any surgery...I'm glad that they asked you about it all....I have been in touch with the patient advocacy and boy...it seems to be a case of apathy thoughout this hospital to some extent....I'm thrilled for everyone who has had a positive experience there but we should not take that for granted.... Cindy S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2001 Report Share Posted July 16, 2001 I agree with you that the admin is at fault. But -you can't depend on the nurses to get to you when you need them and that is why I recommend companions or a wonderfulfriend or family member to stay with you the first 2 to 3 days. I feel that the companions made my recovery much better. The nurses were wonderful but couldn't get to me when I needeed them because they were understaffed.Ellen(Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2001 Report Share Posted July 16, 2001 I agree with you that the admin is at fault. But -you can't depend on the nurses to get to you when you need them and that is why I recommend companions or a wonderfulfriend or family member to stay with you the first 2 to 3 days. I feel that the companions made my recovery much better. The nurses were wonderful but couldn't get to me when I needeed them because they were understaffed.Ellen(Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2001 Report Share Posted July 16, 2001 I couldn't resist adding my thoughts to this. I am a medical social worker in a large teaching hospital, and as with hospitals nationwide, we are feeling the nursing shortage. Also, my department has been reduced to half its size 10 years ago. The patient acuity is greater and I need not go into the changes that have resulted from managed care and other economy measures. We are ALL overworked. That said, however, there is NO excuse for the way that some staff handle their stress at the expense of patients. Treating patients with exasperation and (sometimes) outright contempt (especially if they are obese) is NEVER justified. Over the years I have spent too much of my time comforting patients and families who have been treated badly by other hospital. staff. Fortunately, most of the nurses that I work with now on a daily basis are true professionals, who do not allow their own frustrations to prevent them from providing top-notch care to their patients. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2001 Report Share Posted July 16, 2001 I couldn't resist adding my thoughts to this. I am a medical social worker in a large teaching hospital, and as with hospitals nationwide, we are feeling the nursing shortage. Also, my department has been reduced to half its size 10 years ago. The patient acuity is greater and I need not go into the changes that have resulted from managed care and other economy measures. We are ALL overworked. That said, however, there is NO excuse for the way that some staff handle their stress at the expense of patients. Treating patients with exasperation and (sometimes) outright contempt (especially if they are obese) is NEVER justified. Over the years I have spent too much of my time comforting patients and families who have been treated badly by other hospital. staff. Fortunately, most of the nurses that I work with now on a daily basis are true professionals, who do not allow their own frustrations to prevent them from providing top-notch care to their patients. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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