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"My spouse's treatment at the hospital"

About: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital

(as a relative),

This in regard to my spouse who was admitted to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital recently.

My spouse came in suffering from multiple seizures. After emergency treatment, they went to Ward 72 and later to Ward 71. During their stay, they got Keppra tablets to swallow against the seizures.

In the middle of the night, my spouse got very upset because they weren't allowed to sit in an electric recliner, which was next to them. My spouse cannot sleep on a bed because of their stroke condition. Their back is weak and therefore very painful if laying flat. My spouse became very angry and showed bad behaviour. Nurses came in and put a rope around their legs to keep her immobilized. 

When discharged from hospital we found out that many patients who were using these tablets developed bad behavior as a side effect. We were shocked! How can a hospital give these tablets as a treatment while they should know the bad side effects!

I believe that these treatments could trigger off a second stroke. Mentally my spouse is broken and for a long time in need of recovery. Back home they wanted to commit suicide, also a well-known side effect of Keppra.

I want an explanation from the hospital. We are not happy with this. Another bad nursing practice was that while in Ward 71, the nurses who came in to clean my spouse and change clothes and sheets were very rough. They rolled my spouse from one side to the other side of the bed in a way that they were in constant pain. Their skin was torn and badly damaged and at home, we are still struggling with the recovery.

I have a photograph of the chest of my spouse showing marks of sticky patches. These patches were the connection spots from the electrodes necessary for checking their heart. These marks are not going away and will stay there as scars. I strongly protest against these practices. My spouse has the feeling as if they are a cow.

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Responses

Response from Janet Zagari, Executive Director, Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group 4 years ago
Janet Zagari
Executive Director,
Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group
Submitted on 31/10/2019 at 10:34 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 10:36 AM


picture of Janet Zagari

Dear echods55,

Thank you for taking the time to give us feedback about your experience of the care your spouse received whilst an inpatient at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

I am sincerely sorry that the care your spouse received was not to the high standard that we pride ourselves on as an organisation, and that this encounter has contributed to their ongoing distress.

You have identified a number of concerns regarding the care your spouse received, which I understand are currently being investigated by the Deputy Nurse Director for the Medical Division and a response to your complaint will be provided via the Patient Liaison Services in accordance with the WA Health Complaint Policy.

Once again, please accept my apologies for your spouse’s experience.

Kind regards,

Janet Zagari

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