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"Not impressed with doctor care"

About: Kalgoorlie Health Campus / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

I presented to the Kalgoorlie E.D with chest pain. The Dr I had I was less than impressed with. I told them I’d started taking a weight loss tablet that had speed in it (I’d stopped taking the tablet after 4 days due to tightness in my chest so been off it for a few days) I believe the Dr only heard the word speed and asked me 3 times if I was an I.V drug user.

They put a cannula in my arm and has left me very bruised to say the least. At 1st they put the tourniquet on my arm, put the needle in then took it off, they tried to get blood without success. They then looked for the tourniquet and asked if they’d used 1. The doctor then asked my partner to put it on and tighten it. They got blood out finally. I went to the toilet and watery blood ran down my arm leaving dots on the floor. I showed the nurse who tightened it. I said it was burning and they asked if I wanted them to take it out and do it again, I said no. (I’d had enough at this stage) When the nurse took it out before discharge I had to put pressure on it for 2 mins. When I took my finger away a bruise appeared instantly. I called the nurse who asked another nurse to look as it was swelling up. They gave me hirudoid cream and sent me on my way saying if it starts to burn or swells more to go straight back.

I have a very big bruise on my arm that I have been covering up all week. I have since been told the Dr put the needle in my flesh, not a vein. It has been a few days and my arm is still sore, you can see & feel where the doctor put the needle in and have a dark purple bruise 7cm X 5. 5cm. There were more issues but this was the main issue.

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Responses

Response from Peter Tredinnick, Executive Director, Regional Office, WACHS Goldfields 2 years ago
Peter Tredinnick
Executive Director, Regional Office,
WACHS Goldfields

Executive Director WACHS Goldfields

Submitted on 27/04/2021 at 5:26 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 28/04/2021 at 8:54 AM


picture of Peter Tredinnick

Dear Zero care given,

Thank you for your feedback about your distressing experience as a patient attending Kalgoorlie Health Campus, Emergency Department.

I can only imagine the discomfort and distress you felt from being asked questions regarding recreational drug use and from being left with a bruise after a relatively simple and safe procedure. I apologise that this happened to you.

We have undertaken an investigation of the issues you experienced and the following information was gathered. This information is not offered as an excuse but confirms why certain questions are asked and certain procedures are performed.

Doctors are trained to ask multiple questions, multiple times to ensure they have a full understanding of the patient risk factors for the health issue that the patient presents with. One of the major risk factors in Goldfields for Chest Pain is the use of speed as a recreational drug. Thus, I would like to thank you for having the foresight in making the staff aware of the use of weight loss tablets. I apologise that you felt there was an over emphasizing on the question regarding speed.

In regard to the bruising following the removal of the IV Cannular (Drip), this, unfortunately, is a known risk factor for this procedure and in most cases doesn’t present such a problem as you have described. The reason an IV Cannular is performed routinely with patients who have presented with Chest Pain is because the blood drawn is sent for testing. This is invaluable in diagnosing or discounting serious health or life-threatening diseases. Although inserting an IV Cannular is a relatively safe procedure, it requires highly developed skills. We are continually running education programs with clinical staff to help improve their skill in this area.

If you would like to speak further regarding your experience, I ask you to contact Mr Scott Jones, Operations Manager of Kalgoorlie Hospital on 9080 5817. I truly thank you for your feedback as this gives us information to help us to continually improve our patient experience and improve our clinicians practice overall.

Kind Regards

Peter Tredinnick

Regional Director

Goldfields

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