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"Rockingham Hospital ED"

About: Rockingham General Hospital / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

Recently I present to Rockingham ED department with my husband after fears of a miscarriage. I phoned the maternity ward at Rockingham who advised I go straight to ED.

When I was seen to the doctor immediately said - I believe you are having a miscarriage, this is completely normal and most couples don't have trouble conceiving again afterwards. I will bring you some pamphlets to read.

I was denied an ultrasound when asked and was told they don't do them in ED. I was denied the opportunity to hear the heartbeat as they also don't do that in ED. The only test I was given was a urine test and a blood test. 

After 2 hours we received the blood results which were inconclusive. Told there was nothing more they could do and to still go for my scheduled ultrasound which was in four days to see if the fetus was still alive or not. I was told to have another blood test the same day as my ultrasound to recheck my levels, however the doctor wouldn't be around to give me the results, but I could contact PathWest for a copy of them myself. 

My husband and I left distraught not knowing if we had lost our baby or not and being the long weekend the thought of having to wait 4 days for answers was extremely stressful. Neither of us had any sleep that night. 

Luckily I managed to book an appointment the following morning with my OB (obstetrician) who did an ultrasound and within 5 minutes we could see our baby rolling around extremely active with a strong heartbeat. 

This experience caused so much unnecessary stress to both myself, my husband and our families. This all could have been sorted with a quick 5 minute ultrasound from the staff in ED. 

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Responses

Response from Kath Smith, Executive Director, Rockingham Peel Group, South Metropolitan Health Service 5 years ago
Kath Smith
Executive Director, Rockingham Peel Group,
South Metropolitan Health Service
Submitted on 13/03/2019 at 6:47 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 14/03/2019 at 10:35 AM


picture of Kath Smith

Dear kkw90,

Thank you for taking the time to share your story. I would like to sincerely apologise for any distress caused to you and your husband during your recent presentation to the Rockingham General Hospital (RGH) Emergency Department (ED), I understand that this must have been a very worrying time for both of you.

Unfortunately, ultrasound scans are not available out of hours at RGH ED, hence the reason why bloods were used to establish the level of your pregnancy hormone in order to determine a viable pregnancy. I am sorry if this was not communicated to you.

Written discharge instructions are usually provided to patients, which would have included a management plan and advice on what to do should your condition change. The majority of patients are referred back to their Obstetric Consultant for follow up unless there is significant bleeding in which case an admission as an in-patient would be arranged. I am so glad to hear that you were able to book an appointment with your Obstetrician the following morning.

I would again like to thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback to us, I will ensure it is passed onto staff in the ED.

I hope that your pregnancy is progressing well.

Kind regards,

Kath Smith

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