Took a family member to ED due to swelling of eyes, cheeks and top of head unrelieved with loratidine and of unknown cause. They area in their 80s and have dementia.
They became combative and confused in the dept which I understand can be very difficult to manage but they were then sedated and sent home with no instructions for family. My family member usually lives alone and was sent home still sedated. We were not informed of what to do given the reaction was still unresolved and swelling remained.
My main concern is that they were sent home with an open skin tear that hadn’t been cleaned or dressed and with an IV still in their arm which we had to remove at home. We were told my family member did not have capacity to refuse care which I agree with but they were then sent home with no follow up instructions, no resolution and IV access still in which was totally inappropriate given that they lacked capacity.
On coming home my family member was very drowsy and almost had multiple falls which we weren’t warned could happen with the medication they had been given.
We felt that they were put in the too hard basket and irresponsibly discharged without appropriate care and no follow up instructions for carers. I understand it can be hard when someone is being verbally abusive and it’s busy but this felt really uncaring for an old and vulnerable person who was quite clearly mentally impaired.
"Poor care at emergency dept"
About: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital / Emergency Department Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Emergency Department Nedlands 6009
Posted by KMKW (as ),
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