"Care from the Emergency Department"

Recently I was fitted with a PICO 7 Smith and Nephews negative pressure wound vac to cover a 5cm/3.4deep would. Two days later it was flashing 'dressing full' and needed to be changed.

Early in the morning, I contact my local Emergency Department (Karratha) and asked if this was urgent and how to best proceed. I was advised to visit in 3 hours time for a dressing change. 

I arrived at the time they said. One and a half hours later I was in to see the nurse. Got told not their area and to go to outpatient ambulatory care and they may not be able to change it. Awaiting further information from Dr.

An hour after that, the nurses had a look again and I believe they were not sure about it. Going to see if they can find a dressing. 

Almost 20 minutes later, they brought the wrong dressing through, so still waiting. 

Another 45 minutes waiting I was advised by a nurse that there was nothing they can do and was sent home with no change of dressing.

I understand not all nurses are trained in this area/machine but no effort to reassure me that it will be okay for the next 24 hours and to ring ambulatory first thing the next morning.

They left me waiting for five hours sitting on a chair ~ uncomfortable with my wound. I am in Karratha by myself and went to my car and broke down in tears, this has been ongoing for three/four weeks and I’m exhausted and they just made me break down if I cannot get support or help from them. 

Rang through to the wonderful staff in ambulatory care and had the dressing changed by lunch as this can cause bacteria to grow and infect the wound.

Highly disappointed in how it was treated.