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"Trying to get help in the ED"

About: Bunbury Hospital / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

After a bad fall downstairs, I hurt my back, neck & back of the head. I had a concussion. I was taken into the Emergency Department (ED) via ambulance in the early hours of the morning.

It did not seem busy in there. I couldn't move my head, back or neck but the nurse insisted I swallow Panadol. The first one I choked on as it was very difficult. I then asked how I could go to the toilet since my head & neck were in a brace. The nurse said they would get a pan. I asked again 2 hours later - still no help. My child came in & saw how bad I was so asked a nurse for water. They were told they'd bring it in shortly. 30 mins later my child helped themself & had to try & help me drink. My child left.

I was then given another pain tablet to swallow & within 15 min I had an allergic reaction (burning & itching) but I had no way of getting help as the button had not been left for me. So for over 40 mins, I had my hand waving about & I was trying to call out as well that I needed help.

Finally, they came & gave me Phenergan - still no pan - it was very uncomfortable & humiliating as I had to try & hold onto myself without hurting my neck etc. In the late evening, they took me to a CT scan. Each time they moved me I cried out. I was asked what my problem was & I said I was in pain & needed to go to the toilet.

All they did was take me back to the ED. There was no significant damage they could see so I was sent home. Still in pain & still needing to go to the toilet. If it was busy in ED I could totally understand but I believe it was not. I was never even offered a drink & came home very dehydrated!

In my opinion, this has been my worst ED experience & I never want to go back!

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Responses

Response from Stephen Hartwig, Head of Department, Emergency Medicine, Bunbury Hospital, WACHS South West 4 years ago
Stephen Hartwig
Head of Department, Emergency Medicine, Bunbury Hospital,
WACHS South West

Lead the team of Emergency Medicine doctors.

Submitted on 6/03/2020 at 5:47 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 9/03/2020 at 1:29 PM


Dear muscatk86,

I am very sorry for the long and uncomfortable wait and less than ideal communication you experienced while in our Emergency Department recently.

I would like to assure you that we are addressing your concerns around communication and keeping patients informed about their treatment. We endeavour to reduce our overall length of stay for all patients in our department, and will emphasise to our staff the importance of keeping patients and carers updated on the progress of their journey through our department.

So that we can review what occurred during your visit and provide you with specific feedback, I would be grateful if you could contact our customer liaison team on (08) 9722 1521 or via email swfeedback@health.wa.gov.au

Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us and I hope we hear from you soon.

Regards

Dr Steve Hartwig

Acting Director of Emergency Medicine

Bunbury Hospital

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