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Cannula removal

Posted By Frog23

"Cannula removal"

About: Joondalup Health Campus / Emergency Department St John Ambulance WA

(as a relative),

My partner arrived at JHC approx midnight. Another ambulance crew took over to allow the Cervantes crew to travel home the long distance in the middle of the night.

As I understand it, unfortunately an unknown ambulance officer decided my partner did not need ‘this’ anymore, I believe referring to their IV cannula and took it upon themself to remove it before my partner was seen by a nurse or dr! I feel this is not on! I believe it was required for treatment of sepsis and as it was, I recall it took the staff at another health service 3 attempts to cannulate my partner (I believe they had shut down and was dehydrated).

I believe this needs to be investigated as tampering and removing medical devices before being seen by the medical team is not on.

My partner had to be re-cannulated, putting them at risk of another port of entry for infection, in my opinion, so that they could continue IV antibiotics for the next 3 days of their admission. It seemed nobody in the ED could determine who removed this cannula.

My partner spent 3 days in hospital and came home on oral AB's and follow up with a Consultant in 2 weeks.

Whilst we know that JHC was/is under intense pressure for healthcare and was on Code Yellow (no beds available) for about 2 days of my partner’s stay, they were cared for in 2 different pods of the ED department for 2 days out of their 3 days of admission. However, as I understand it, the pod my partner was in requires the patient to have a nurse call bell- my partner did not have one and needed to go to toilet and was yelling for help. I recall the ED Clerk did not consult my partner if they wanted to go private or public and my partner has private health cover, but it seemed was put into the system as public.

I have since advised my partner to never let anyone other than a nurse or Dr remove a cannula from their body ever again.

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Responses

Response from Mary Ferrier, Director of Clinical Services, Joondalup Health Campus nearly 2 years ago
Mary Ferrier
Director of Clinical Services,
Joondalup Health Campus

Submitted on 27/06/2022 at 11:13 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 11:35 AM

Dear Frog23,

Thank you for taking the time to let me know of your experience whilst being brought by St John Ambulance Service (SJA) to the Emergency Department (ED) at Joondalup Health Campus (JHC). Patient stories provide JHC Executive the opportunity to improve health care to our community and guide service improvement.

I am saddened and disappointed to hear that the needs of your partner were not met on this occasion and acknowledge that this must have been an anxious time for you both.

Unfortunately the hospital has been under severe stress recently with overcrowding and staff sickness. As a result, the ED is at capacity at all times with many patients experiencing prolonged wait times for an inpatient bed on the wards.

Patients at times are moved within the ED for a number of reasons. This may be due to the clinical need of the patient, for example if they require special monitoring or to comply with infection prevention and control measures. Sometimes patients awaiting a hospital bed are moved to quieter areas of the ED for their comfort.

I sincerely apologise that your partner did not have a call bell which required them calling out for assistance. ED cubicles should have patient call bells to ensure that patients who require attention in the ED can communicate their needs effectively. I will raise this with the ED CNM to review the areas where we have patients within the ED, that a call bell or process to call for assistance is in place.

There is an expectation that as part of the admission process for your partner to be given the choice to be admitted as a private or public patient at JHC. I apologise that this did not happen. This will be raised with the ED Clerical Supervisor to remind staff to ensure the option of being admitted as a private or public patient is being offered to all patients on admission.

It is important we listen to you as the consumer on suggestions on how to improve our service delivery to the community. JHC Executive endeavour to deliver high-quality patient-centred care and I apologise that this was not your experience with our service

If you or your partner would like us to look into this further please contact our consumer liaison service on 08 9400 9672 or email consumerliaison.jhc@ramsayhealth.com.au

As St John Ambulance is a private operator, I am unable to provide any information regarding the concerns you have raised regarding the removal of the cannula and recommend that these concerns are directed to St John Ambulance.

I wish your partner a continued speedy recovery.

Yours sincerely

Mary Ferrier
Director of Clinical Services

Joondalup Health Campus

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