"Radiology Experience"

I arrived at Kalgoorlie Hospital for my afternoon Radiology CT Scan-IVP appointment. It started with completing a form in the reception area. There was one question that I was unsure of the answer so I put a question mark. It related to whether I was on Beta Blockers. I am on Clopidogrel / Aspirin combination and was unsure whether it was a Beta Blocker. 

I was then collected by the technician, whose name I did not catch and as I did not want to appear rude, did not question them further as to their name. They checked the form, asked me if I was asthmatic, which I had clearly indicated on the form and when I pointed out the Beta Blocker question to them, they did not seem to know and in my opinion, clearly were not interested. (I wondered that as it was on the form it was surely relevant/significant).

The technician inserted the needle in my arm and we went in to the scanning room where they proceeded, with some difficulty to connect the needle to the tubing. They advised me that I would feel a hot flush, may feel that I had wet myself and might notice a metallic taste. If I noticed anything untoward to let them know and so we were underway. 

They advised me when they were going to put the agent through. I felt, as they had predicted, that I had wet myself, experienced a hot flush through my arm and then my neck area. Not long after they came in and said it's not going through, then realised the agent had all gone on the back of my head and neck area. It then seemed to become my fault as they asked why I didn't you tell them. I replied, "it just felt like part of the hot flush in that area" to which they replied in what I felt was an angry tone "well, that would be a first." I am now lying here, covered in this horrible sticky stuff, cold and not sure what is going on.

The technician then started fiddling with the needle and line then realised the link between the needle and tubing was not correctly fitted. Not sure what they were doing but the next thing I know is there is blood all over my arm, they are holding on to my arm to control the flow of blood. (NB, I am on blood thinners). Now they were yelling at me to "hold this." I have no idea what they want me to hold, can't see what it is or where it is. When I finally see what it is, I am unable to hold it. I have arthritis in both hands and have no gripping ability. At the best of times I need assistance to do many things because of this. I felt they were quite angry now too.

They attempt to put a flush through the needle but it would not go through, so they holds the syringe over a bin and forces the plunger until it empties in the bin but made no further attempt to administer a flush. Now they are using those little alcohol swabs to try to clean the blood off my arm which is down to my wrist and up to my shoulder. I suggested to them that it would be a better idea to get a paper hand towel, wet it and use that, which they did. A much better idea! 

I am still applying pressure to my arm to control bleeding  and said to them, "what happens now? do you do it again?" to which they replied "yes." 

By this time their attention was now focused on cleaning the blood off the machine and floor and not on me at all. So, I walked to the outer room and was just standing there holding my arm, not knowing what to do, when along came a more senior Dr. They said nothing, just looked at my arm (which had by now stopped bleeding), put a new dressing on and that was that! I got changed into my clothes and left.

All in all, it was a horrible experience. From the very beginning of my encounter with this technician I was not confident in their ability, and believe they projected an image commensurate with someone who was not confident in their own ability. 

I have taken some time to consider whether to bring this matter to you attention or not but believe it would be remiss of me not to do so.

I would be happy to answer any questions.

I thank you for providing a venue for issues like this to be addressed,

Yours sincerely, 

Old duck