"Abrupt nurse at discharge from observation ward in ED"

I have a high opinion of all the staff involved in the ED.  I would not be alive without the care I received recently. I was admitted with an OD by ambulance.  I was not conscious at the time. 

Once resuscitated I was groggy and on a drip.  I was then taken to the Observation ward.  I did not have all my clothing or phone to contact my partner to arrange collection.  There was apparently a communication breakdown because nobody told me my partner had been contacted and was going to meet me in the waiting area.  To this day I do not know which waiting area that was.

I was hoping for my husband to come into the observation area and give me some underwear.  Then suddenly, without warning the Nurse on, what I think of as 'traffic control', told me in no uncertain terms to leave.  I felt they were unnecessarily abrupt. Prior to that I was not aware I was being formally discharged.  

So I left, without underwear wearing green hospital trousers. I got lost in the maze of corridors trying to leave and was in tears when I finally met my partner.

I would have preferred my nurse to tell me I was able to leave and show me the path to exit.  Given I was a psychiatric patient, I would have liked to be spoken to tactfully and diplomatically.  I was very fragile.  I think this nurse at the central hub in the Observation ward forgot this.  I feel sure my medical history and reason for admission were available to them.

At no time did any medical personal explain my treatment.  Why not?

I know working in and around the ED must be very busy and stressful for all staff involved.  For this reason, I did my utmost to be obliging, cooperative and not demanding.  For this reason, I did not discover why I was on a drip until the last hour.

During my working life I developed diplomacy, conflict resolution skills and effective communication skills.  I think this nurse in question needs to shift their focus to the patients, instead of laughing with other staff. 

I suspect many nurses may not want to take on this role as traffic controller because it is stressful.  However, I believe a bit of tact and warmth would not go astray.  In my case it was as important as any medication.