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Medication in hospital

Posted By aprildk96

"Medication in hospital"

About: Royal Perth Hospital / Neurology & Epilepsy Service & Neuro-surgery & Ward 5H

(as a relative),

My relative had a brain injury and was in Royal Perth Hospital. My relative doesn't like taking any drugs and asked for an aspirin. They weren't allowed an aspirin due to the fact that they were already on blood thinners. However, I understand instead of giving them something equivalent (e.g. panadol) for their mild headache, the nurses went for a schedule 8 drug.

It was only when I noticed the rigmarole associated with my relative getting the medication, and the fact that my relative also queried it that we realised what they were doing. We both rejected this and asked for something less potent. 

It concerns me that if I wasn't there what drugs are they giving my relative? It concerns me that it went from 'aspirin' equivalent to morphine equivalent. 

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Responses

Response from Lesley Bennett, Chief Executive, East Metropolitan Health Service 2 years ago
Lesley Bennett
Chief Executive,
East Metropolitan Health Service

Submitted on 7/10/2021 at 11:57 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:09 PM

picture of Lesley Bennett

Dear aprildk96,

Thank you for taking the time to write to us about the concerns you and your relative had about the pain relief your relative was offered while an inpatient at Royal Perth Hospital.

Without knowing the specifics of your relative’s circumstances it is difficult to comment, however, I can assure you that nursing staff will in every instance refer to the individual’s medication chart and only dispense medication specified by the medical team.

Non-pharmacological solutions would generally be suggested to begin with and, in the event of pain medication being administered, nursing staff will select the lowest dose and lowest schedule medication according to the patient’s chart, then continue to monitor the patient for its effectiveness.

So that we may better understand what happened in your relative’s situation, I invite you to contact the Consumer Engagement Unit on (08) 9224 1637, 8am to 4pm or email RPBG.feedback@health.wa.gov.au to discuss your concerns and to enable an investigation to take place.

Thank you again for letting us know of your experience, so that we can learn and improve the care we deliver to our patients and the community.

Kind regards,

Dr Lesley Bennett

Executive Director RPBG

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