Text size

Theme

Language

"My child's wrist fracture"

About: St John of God Midland Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a parent/guardian),

I brought my young child into SJOG Midland recently after they had fallen off their swings and was in agony with pain in their wrist. Xray was taken, confirmed 'buckle fracture' sent home in a velcro wrist splint 4 hours later and was told we could take it off after 2/3 weeks depending on movement etc.

I received a phone call the following week saying there had been a review of my child’s X-ray and the break was actually a greenstick facture to their distal ulna & radius, and that they would need a cast all the way above their elbow and a sling.

Pretty disappointed that this wasn't picked up when we presented to ED or furthermore that we had no communication stating that the X-ray had only been reviewed by ED staff, and would be reviewed later by a radiologist through the week, which means my child has spent almost a week in a velcro splint for a greenstick distal fracture - at the very least, I feel we should have been told that the splint was temporary until further review later on through the week.

Recently my child had a cast placed on their arm above their elbow and was also fitted with a sling, and has been referred to another hospital.

Based on my experience, I would suggest better communication with patients when x-rays are taken, that there is no radiologist working, and that the treatment they receive could be subject to change through the week.

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Janet Jones, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance, St John of God - Midland nearly 2 years ago
Janet Jones
Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance,
St John of God - Midland
Submitted on 11/07/2023 at 11:32 AM
Published on Care Opinion Australia at 11:38 AM


Hello Parent2023,

Thank you for letting us know about your family’s recent experience in our Emergency Department (ED).

As you know, we spoke with your spouse last week and they provided further information about your child’s visit.

Your concerns have been discussed with the Nurse Manager of ED and forwarded to the Heads of Emergency Medicine for review.

Your feedback is important to us and we are truly sorry for any additional stress caused during this difficult time.

We are currently reviewing the information provided to patients who present to ED with suspected fracture injuries.

You let us know the communication around our processes was not satisfactory and we are therefore keen to rectify any gaps.

We will be in contact once we have completed our review and thank you once again for bringing your concerns to our attention. We hope your child is feeling better.

All the Best

Janet Jones

Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance

St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k