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My husband and his time in hospital

Posted By Old-person-chicken-legs

"My husband and his time in hospital"

About: Broome Health Campus / Emergency Department Broome Health Campus / General ward

(as a relative),

My husband became very ill with a bad urine infection that spread to his kidneys and on antibiotics via cannula for 6 days. Because he is on a clinical trial for bladder cancer I had to beg and make sure the Broome doctors did not make any decisions without first contacting oncology department at Fiona Stanley Hospital and my husband's oncologist. It did take a couple of times to get the message through to the doctors on duty in ED and on the ward as part of my husband's clinical trial is BCG straight into his bladder. Luck was on our side his oncologist was in Broome for his clinic, so no decisions was made without running it past him first. The doctors were great and quite interested in the clinical trial as were the wonderful caring nurses. 

The only negative comment is one nurse who was on duty one night - I felt he had no bedside manners and needs to be supervised I feel as follows-

A: He did not flush the cannula before inserting the antibiotics;

B: He had the drip going that fast (because he did not stay to check),  it was stinging going through my hubby's arm and the rest of his arm was starting to tingle and feel weird. Hubby pressed bell and when this nurse returned hubby said this does not feel right? Nurse slowed the flow and walked out;

C: He did not do the 10 min flush with the saline bag after. 

Must not forget the wonderful kitchen and cleaning staff - Thank you 😊

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Responses

Response from David Gaskell, Regional Medical Director, Medical, WA Country Health Service 6 years ago
David Gaskell
Regional Medical Director, Medical,
WA Country Health Service

As well as being a practising clinician, I oversee the quality and safety of medical services delivered by WACHS doctors to healthcare consumers across the Kimberley

Submitted on 15/10/2018 at 3:07 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia at 3:23 PM

picture of David Gaskell

Dear Mrs Old Man Chicken Legs

I hope that your husband is feeling much better after his recent illness and is convalescing well at home in your care. From your account, it must have been exhausting for you, as well for Mr Old Man Chicken Legs who required a long stay with us.

Thank you for taking the time to tell us about aspects of our care (and doing so with a smile). As you share, patient care requires a team effort.

Regarding your commentary about one staff member's lack of bedside manner and procedural non-compliance during night shift - thanks for telling us about what you saw. This is valuable feedback. A sick person is often most vulnerable and fearful at night. Please pass on my apologies to Mr Old Man Chicken Legs about this gap in his care.

What to do about it? Well, improvement here will require raising self-awareness and education. If this clinician was in my team, I would sit down with him and share your feedback; listen and go from there. To do so, this nurse's line manager needs to find out a bit more. Please would you consider phoning Helen Fullarton? Helen is the Coordinator of Nursing at Broome Hospital. Her mobile number is 0408 913 638. I've had a chat with Helen. Should you choose to call her, Helen will address this nurse's learning needs in a timely and sensitive manner.

Thanks again. Please pass on my encouragement to Mr Old Man Chicken Legs as he restores his strength.

Best wishes

David

Dr David Gaskell, Regional Medical Director

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Update posted by Old-person-chicken-legs (a relative)

Thank you Dr David Gaskell for your genuine and positive concerns, your advise is much appreciated and we feel that if this was to happen again there will be a broader understanding of his condition.

Hubby is recovering well at home and getting his strength back. 😊

Response from David Gaskell, Regional Medical Director, Medical, WA Country Health Service 6 years ago
David Gaskell
Regional Medical Director, Medical,
WA Country Health Service

As well as being a practising clinician, I oversee the quality and safety of medical services delivered by WACHS doctors to healthcare consumers across the Kimberley

Submitted on 16/10/2018 at 7:59 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia on 17/10/2018 at 10:03 AM

picture of David Gaskell

Dear Mrs Old Man Chicken Legs

Thanks for writing back; glad to know.

It's a great privilege as well as our duty to be concerned for your welfare. Quality improvement is part of our DNA. Please get in touch with Helen Fullarton so she can follow through.

Very best wishes

Dr David

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