"Poor quality of care"

Arrived in Dandenong ED on a weekend feeling really unwell and in a lot of pain with severe pain in the back and pain under rib cage, front right side.

I was seen by the triage nurse who, in my opinion, showed no empathy or any kind of compassion and decided themselves to class my pain as 1/7 when I clearly said 10/10.

I was not able to stand, sit or walk properly due to the severity of my pain in the back.

So I was told to wait. As I waited, I felt myself deteriorating with more pain and asked 3 times if I could see someone or at least be able to take some pain killer to help me with the pain. At that stage, after a long wait, I just wanted to die and I felt none of the people behind the glass seemed to want to help. Not sure why they are there if they can’t help and seemed so dismissive when I asked them to help me.

Whoever decided to have those horrible chairs in the waiting room, I hope they get to experience sitting on them when they sick and in pain. Those chairs caused me more pain and I was expected to sit and wait when my back felt like it was on fire.

Finally, I was called in, and by that time I didn’t care about anything as I was in too much pain. By that time, I developed a high temperature and very low blood pressure.

Doctor was called in straight away as I was clearly very ill. A different triage nurse said that they couldn’t believe I was left to wait that long. I don’t even know how long it was as it felt forever. Apparently, the first triage nurse that was supposed to asses me appropriately and I felt they didn’t, and that obviously I didn’t tick that person's boxes to be that sick.

I thought part of their job was to listen to what the patient is saying, but obviously not cos I felt they acted as though they know better. Anyway, I was admitted straight away. Then another doctor came who I found very condescending towards me, and found their conduct appalling but I was too unwell to argue with them cos I felt like they wanted to argue with me over something. I don’t even know but all I wanted was help and for the pain to go away. I just wish I had the strength to stand up to that doctor at the time when I felt I was being humiliated by them. 

During the time in ED, there was hardly any communication with me, everyone saying different things which left me very confused and not knowing as to what is going on.

Once out of ED and on the ward, I could not speak highly of all the nurses and doctors that took care of me to get me better. Well done for all your efforts and dedication.

However, after I was discharged, the discharge papers I received in the mail didn't explain properly or the diagnosis that I was treated for while in hospital. So I’m a bit confused about that. And also a week after my discharge I find out I was sent home with medication that apparently I’m resistant to.

So it seems I was given and had to take medication to continue the treatment at home that wasn’t correct and needed to be changed. However, that was already too late, a week late. 

Also now my records do not reflect appropriate information if needed in the future.

So yes, I am disgusted and appalled with the Emergency Department, especially the first triage nurse who attended to me because I believe if they made the assessment correctly to start with, the outcome could have been different. I feel they have no place making their own decisions when the patient's health is at risk.

Sorry for the long story but there is more that I could write about my experience in Dandenong Hospital.