"Woke up during procedure..."

I recently had an endoscopy done at the RPH endoscopy suite. I know the procedure as I have had it done elsewhere before.

Huge thanks to Doctor Paris who had superb cannulation skills and was great at building rapport and providing reassurance. Many of the other staff members were lovely too. However, the interpersonal communication and processes were poor and potentially dangerous.

Prior to the endoscopy, the doctors were all really kind and took the time to explain the procedure. However, I awoke during the oesophageal dilation procedure and it was prematurely ended as a result. I believe they reassured me and I fell back asleep. I cannot comment on the increments of medication given, or in which order. I just wish someone spoke to me afterward.

A nurse woke me up after the procedure and told me my transport had arrived (my friend had driven in to pick me up). I tried to get out of bed to get dressed but I was very drowsy and had a lot of difficulty walking and getting dressed. I was so confused because all of the other endoscopy patients were walking around fine; even the ones that went in after me. I felt significantly more affected than last time; I thought something had gone wrong with the anaesthesia, because I was so affected. No one explained to me why I felt this way. I got dressed and asked to speak to one of the doctors, but the nurses said that that was not an option, and not part of procedure; they explained that one of the nurses would explain the discharge summary to me. An agency nurse approached me and read my discharge summary report to me, verbatim. I started asking them questions about my diagnosis and the abbreviations used in the report, and I recall they responded that they don't know. It also seemed their English was not strong and they had to ask others for help about basic terminology used in the report. No doctor spoke to me after the procedure despite my requests.

I can't believe I woke up during the procedure, I wish someone spoke to me to reassure me about the medications I received and how common it is to wake up.

I then proceeded to leave the hospital. However, I have no memory of this. I was wandering around under the influence of benzos and opiates. Somehow I made it out to the road and climbed in my friend's car. I have no idea how I did this, but it was completely independently. My friends and family have been shocked to hear this story.

At what point does this become a clinical incident? I feel some action needs to be taken to improve the procedures and interpersonal communication used in this ward before something dangerous happens.