"Totally inadequate care"

Admitted overnight for surgery on fractured humerus/shoulder impaction following a fall. Unbelievable pain. Given oral analgesia which did not touch my pain. Had a pillowcase of ice dropped on my shoulder and was left alone. Nil by mouth due to impending surgery.

In the morning I was seen by a Dr. No introduction. I was told no surgery. I asked why? I recall the answer was, because we don't operate on injuries like that. No further explanation provided. They turned to leave and noted the back slab on my left foot. I recall they said, Oh, I didn't know you had multiple injuries, that might make a difference. They left the room. It was evident to me that they had not read my notes and did not know about my 2nd injury. I did not see them again. 

Sometime later a physio arrived. They gave me a collar and cuff - up to this point I had been supporting my injured arm with my good arm. They noted my back slab was not supporting my foot and should be redressed. They said they would come back to do that. I did not see them again.

The pain continued and the oral Endone was increased. The pain nurse reviewed me. I have been a clinician for 35 years. I believe there is always alternative analgesia. The first thing I learned in 1988 as a student was that if your patient is distressed you seek a second opinion. The pain nurse attended. I told them that what I had been prescribed was not working. They said they will increase the dose. I felt they refused to enter any kind of discussion with me. I think they should consider if they are in the right profession. 

No food, no wash, no oral hygiene, I felt no compassion was provided. 

I spent a 2nd night, all alone. Unbelievable pain continued. Still no food. No IV fluids despite having a cannula which was inserted by the paramedic. The cannula was not flushed during my stay. 

Day 2 and I finally got see the medical team. They again told me no surgery. I then asked what was the point of me being in hospital. Pain relief, I recall they said. I told them that my pain was not controlled so I may as well go home. Okay they said and they left the room. No discussion. 

At no point during my stay did anyone sit with me, hold my hand, explain what was happening. Nobody told me what to expect regarding pain and I felt I had no plan of care.

After I said I would leave, the Unit Manager finally came to see me. I told them that I knew I had been labelled "The Difficult Patient". They disagreed. I asked them if I was a DVT risk. They said yes. I then asked why I was not on any anticoagulants? I told them that I had not had a wash since admission. They offered me one! I declined. 

My discharge paperwork stated I had been given anticoagulants - Not true. It also stated an Xray had been taken of my left ankle - Not true. The supposed Xray of my ankle said no fracture. My fracture was actually not the ankle; it was a metatarsal fracture. I was given a form to have a repeat Xray of my ankle!

I could not go home; my pain was still too awful. I was in the fortunate position of being able to contact the hospital where I work. They do not provide orthopaedics care, but they do provide compassionate care and analgesia. They offered me a bed.

The Unit Manager and Doctor were asked to phone and provide a medical handover for me to enable to me go directly to the ward and not through the Emergency Department, they refused stating I was discharging myself against medical advice. I asked again and after a considerable amount of time finally agreed, they then came to see me and I felt they seemed very pleased to be able to tell me that no bed was available. Thankfully at that moment I was talking on the phone to the hospital who were telling me they did have a bed. It seems that if I needed surgery there was no bed but for analgesia and care not a problem.

I left in a private care. On arrival I got a warm welcome. Within an hour I had a butterfly cannula inserted in my abdomen and I was given sub cut morphine. I was finally comfortable. A physiotherapist came to see me and took the collar and cuff off and provided me with a fully supportive broad arm sling. The doctor spoke to me, asked me about my health. Prescribed anticoagulants, adequate analgesia. I was fed. I felt human and safe.

In summary I felt that the care provided to me was nothing short of diabolical. Based on my experience, 0/10 for compassion, communication, hygiene, nutrition, analgesia and care.