Presented to Geraldton Emergency department with my toddler child after ETS consult at a nearby hospital advised further investigations and overnight monitoring due to increased respiratory effort and wheeze. My child was triaged on arrival, and we were told to wait in the emergency waiting room with some other patients.
Whilst 4 hours went by, no vital signs were done on my child. After 4 hours; (around midnight) we were brought through to see a Dr, who then listened to my child’s chest and stated that they were well enough to go home. As a healthcare worker, I was in disbelief that no full physical examination or full set of vital signs were taken during my presentation. I then was told they would give me a script for some medication and asked to fill it the next day- on a weekend. I stated this would not be possible as I lived over an hour away and nothing would be open. I also questioned why my child would not be monitored overnight as advised by ETS and was told they weren’t well enough to be admitted and was then offered taxi vouchers instead. I stated that I lived far away from any hospital and would need at least the medication for my child if I was going to d/c them home in my care. I was then given an open bottle of the medication and D/C home after being in with the Doctor for what felt like less than 5 minutes.
I feel that I'm lucky to have had the knowledge of worrying deterioration signs and symptoms to look out for with my child, but I find it concerning for other parents who have and I believe will be in my shoes who do not have this insight and will be seemingly overlooked in the future if vital signs and full assessments are not done when I feel they should be.
"Substandard assessment of my toddler"
About: Geraldton Hospital / Emergency Department Geraldton Hospital Emergency Department Geraldton 6530
Posted by Nurseparent (as ),
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See more responses from Ranjit Paul
See more responses from Ranjit Paul