"Experience in Broome Hospital Emergency Department"

I was visiting Western Australia and had a fall on rocks at Cable Beach in Broome sustaining a fractured left humerus/shoulder. 

I was taken to the Emergency Department at Broome Hospital in the evening for diagnosis.

I was triaged within 10 minutes by a very caring nurse in the ED. I waited approximately 20 mins to see a registrar doctor in the ED. They also were very kind and caring. I was asked all the appropriate questions for this injury and the doctor proceeded to arrange for an x-ray to confirm the diagnosis. The x-ray confirmed I had a fractured humerus and shoulder which the doctor thought might require surgery. As Broome does not have any orthopaedic surgeons, they would need to consult with an orthopaedic surgeon in Perth. After consulting, the doctor told me the shoulder/ humerus should repair in 6 weeks in a sling. The registrar prescribed pain relief, provided a sling and work and travel certificates. I was in the department for approximately 1.5 hours

The department was clean and the staff all very professional, kind and efficient. I noted appropriate preventive signage throughout the department re: hand hygiene, vaccination, alcohol and food consumption and domestic violence. All well placed very clearly and not over done.

I did see a small mouse in the x-ray department which I informed the radiologist about. They apologised and said they had had the pest staff already involved.

I want to thank all the staff involved in my care for their professionalism and kindness.The empathy they displayed to all patients that evening was great to see.

I believe the ED registrar went above and beyond their duty of care - they had sought another orthopaedic surgeon's opinion about my x-ray. They contacted me in Sydney and advised my family I needed to seek further treatment (surgery) for my fracture. At that time I was in surgery in a Sydney hospital having it fixed.