Medical community retribution?
ByQuestion: My mother, 73, has an ongoing issue called “fixia” (It sounded like that, though I’m sure the doctor said “fixia” instead of asphyxia but I could have heard wrong or am spelling it incorrectly). It is where she has a hole in her esophagus and the effect is swallowing food or liquid that she takes by mouth partially winds up in her lungs, causing “aspiration pneumonia”. Her regular physician prescribed antibiotics (she also has cellulitus on her leg) and “water” pills ( to make her urinate to relieve excess water in her body). She saw him not two weeks ago and he sent her home. She had an appointment again with him today. But shes also suffering from depression, as older folks usually get and I cannot get him to prescribe her anything for that. He refuses. She was in the hospital last summer for this issue. She becomes afraid to eat and in turn, gets weak. Last time she was there, she was on the hospitals 4th floor. She was abused by one of the nurses. We filed a formal complaint….
….She requested with her doctor that if she were to ever be admitted again, not to be put on the 4th floor. When she felt she needed to go last night, she specifically requested not to be put on the the 5th floor and notified staff of the issue with this certain nurse, who is still there. Well, she was put on the 4th floor, anyway, much to our objections. Now my daughter and I, who are her primary care givers, are being refused access to her. In fact tonight, we were ejected from the hospital by the police. We had stayed with my mother up until 1am last night until she was put into her room and fell asleep. Tonight, that nurse is on duty. I am terrified for my mothers safety. What are my rights? What can I do? Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. Please no jerks…this is a very trying situation. Thanks.
….She requested with her doctor that if she were to ever be admitted again, not to be put on the 4th floor. When she felt she needed to go last night, she specifically requested not to be put on the the 5th floor and notified staff of the issue with this certain nurse, who is still there. Well, she was put on the 4th floor, anyway, much to our objections. Now my daughter and I, who are her primary care givers, are being refused access to her. In fact tonight, we were ejected from the hospital by the police. We had stayed with my mother up until 1am last night until she was put into her room and fell asleep. Tonight, that nurse is on duty. I am terrified for my mothers safety. What are my rights? What can I do? Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. Please no jerks…this is a very trying situation. Thanks.
Sorry for the repeat paragraph. I’m upset.
The issue with the police began when I refused to leave until someone would tell me how my mother was. I was slightly upset, but not cursing or raising my voice. I simply refused to leave until I could speak with someone. Since this posting, my mother did call to find out why I had not been to see her and I told her that they were not allowing me access to her. I’m phoning her regular physician in the morning, because I dont have any idea what the actual problem is, since no one will even give me the time of day at this hospital. She was going to find out herself – but she has not called back. I don’t think she’s being allowed to. I am utterly clueless here.
2 Comments
December 29th, 2009 at 11:11 am
The hospital should have a patient advocate. Ask to speak to this person. If they don’t then ask to speak a member of the administration. Voice your concerns. I can’t imagine the police were involved unless you became very upset and were acting out. Talk to these people. Try to get your concerns out without making irate demands…just remain calm and professional. Stand firm about your concerns. I work in a hospital and have had a family member in a similar situation. I’ve never heard of a hospital denying access to a patient unless it were the patient’s wishes. I feel like something more must be going on. Anyway, that’s my advice. Another person to talk to might the the hospital’s chaplains or even your own church minister. They may be able to help you out as they are often acquainted with hospital situations. Oh yes, another person would be the hospital’s social worker. This type of thing is part of their job…but they often side with the hospital.
Best Wishes!
December 29th, 2009 at 11:26 am
It is called a fistula.
You need to speak to the patient advocate at the hospital – you need to request that your mother be moved to a different unit – if you filed a complaint about the nurse the last time you were there, it should be on file.
If that doesn’t work, You might also speak with a lawyer and go with him/her to the hospital and ask to speak to the patient advocate or the nursing administrator.
Very calmly state your concerns and that you are requesting that your mother be moved to another unit or that that nurse not take care of your mother. Depending on your mother’s condition – that might be the best unit for her – she doesn’t have to have that nurse though.