I presented to Emergency Department earlier this month, I had been bleeding with heavy blood clots for a week and was scheduled for cystoscopy. On the morning of surgery post-admission, I waited from 6:30am to 1:30pm to be told the operation was not going ahead because no bed was available. The cardiologist, had cleared the way for the procedure and had advised the team that they would wish heart monitoring before and after the procedure. On arrival, I was advised there were no notes on this directive. So for over 7 hours I was fasting, dizzy and fearful with absolutely no update on what was happening. Finally I was advised the procedure was cancelled to be rescheduled maybe in 2 weeks.
I understand a lack of high dependency (ICU) beds available for post-surgery care. But why wasn't this determined prior to my admission?
I feel the stress that this has put on me is unacceptable. 6:30am admission times, with a 7 hour wait only to be told to go home is not fair, after I have fasted and taken all the necessary steps to prepare for surgery, especially the mental preparation. I believe the psychological stress on me is not ethical. Tonight I am stressed and anxious, in tears, worrying about my potentially fatal condition, as it has been flagged. And I'm sent away after all those hours? With no firm understanding of when it's likely to be rescheduled? Meanwhile I am in pain, and unable to plan my forward schedules.
Who failed? Why wasn't a bed allotted for my surgery? It was delayed already by two weeks and now who knows. If the pain gets any worse, I will once again admit to Emergency. I am disgusted and disappointed.
"Cancelled surgery after fasting, no updates"
About: St Vincent's Hospital St Vincent's Hospital Darlinghurst 2010
Posted by horologiumrs75 (as ),
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