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"Mismanaged in emergency"

About: Geraldton Hospital / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

I presented to Emergency with 9/10 abdominal pain. I was assessed by the nurse and Dr and was then given morphine IV. The first dose wasn't effective so another dose was given which helped the pain. I had bloods done. I believe the bloods came back as normal and the Dr stated that the hospital couldn't do an ultrasound as it was the weekend and the doctor didn't feel as though any other imaging was necessary. I was discharged home with a script for panadeine forte and pantoprazole with no diagnosis.

The pain continued and the next day, I drove 5 hours away to another hospital as I felt my care was inadequate at the first hospital.

Within 1 hour of being at the second hospital, I was diagnosed with appendicitis and had emergency surgery. I was septic, my appendix was necrotic and my abdomen was filled with pus. I had to stay in hospital for 6 days on IV antibiotics and now have to have 4-6 weeks off work. 

I believe if I had been properly assessed at the first hospital, overall outcome would have been different. 

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Responses

Response from Derek Fraser, Operations Manager Geraldton Hospital, WA Country Health Service 3 years ago
Derek Fraser
Operations Manager Geraldton Hospital,
WA Country Health Service
Submitted on 3/12/2020 at 3:29 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 3:39 PM


picture of Derek Fraser

Dear flower2318,

Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us about your experience at the Geraldton Hospital Emergency Department (ED).

I am very sorry that you felt unheard when you presented to the ED and for the circumstances that resulted in you making the decision to travel to Perth for care.

I am very appreciative that you have been in contact with me since posting your story and I would like to reassure you that we are taking your concerns very seriously and are currently investigating what happened. As the investigation progresses, please feel free to contact me 9956 2369 or by email at: derek.fraser@health.wa.gov.au at any time.

Your story serves to highlight the importance of a process that we have initiated for patients and their families and carers if they are concerned about decisions regarding their care. The Call and Response Early (CARE) call process enables people to request urgent assistance when they are concerned about their health and feel that their healthcare team has not fully recognised their changing health condition. When a CARE Call is made, a senior staff member listens to the concerns of the person making the CARE Call and makes a full assessment of the patient’s situation. The senior staff member then liaises with the treating medical team and other health care providers as required. The CARE call phone number is 1800 316 729 with further information about this service available by visiting the WA Country Health Service website at: http://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/index.php?id=970

I hope that you remain in contact with us and that your recovery is going well.

Yours sincerely

Derek Fraser

Operations Manager

Geraldton Hospital

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