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Emergency admission with small intestine blockage.

Posted By castorfp89

"Emergency admission with small intestine blockage."

About: Geraldton Hospital / Emergency Department Geraldton Hospital / General Ward

(as the patient),

Awoke with abdominal cramps around 2am. Pain undressed over the next several hours. Admitted myself to the local clinic (nearest hospital was Geraldton 150klms away). Dealt with quickly (other emergency patients) and a tele assessment quickly arranged with the on- line doctor. Advised to be driven by my spouse to Geraldton Hospital 2 hours away. Tele doctor advised Geraldton Hospital had been advised by phone and that I will be admitted for scans on arrival.

On arrival in Emergency at Geraldton  Hospital no-one was able to confirm the arrangements the tele Doctor had told me he had arranged. Only with persistent prosecution of my case did someone accept that the referring communication existed. After initial scans I was held on a gurney in a hallway within the operational precinct of ED (no rooms/beds available). A person with some apparent authority motioned me off the gurney and back into the crammed ER waiting room. “But I’m going to be sick” I stated. “Here’s a bag, be sick out there” was the reply. So I moved between the chairs of the waiting room retching into a bag while I headed for a corner bent over in pain for some time before I was assisted into a cubicle (after diagnosis from the scan of a blocked small intestine).

From that moment I cannot fault the teamwork, attentiveness, and process focus of the hospitals surgical unit to which I was admitted. A 4 day stay saw the avoidance of surgery through the application of a depressurisation procedure which resulted in the obstruction moving through the bowel. A very grateful patient. 

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Responses

Response from Margaret Sturdy, Director Medical Services, Geraldton Hospital, WA Country Health Service 9 months ago
Margaret Sturdy
Director Medical Services, Geraldton Hospital,
WA Country Health Service

Director Medical Services at Geraldton Hospital

Submitted on 26/09/2024 at 5:05 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia on 27/09/2024 at 8:45 AM

picture of Margaret Sturdy

Dear castorfp89

Thank you for taking to Care Opinion to share your story.

I was very pleased to read how well you were looked after by the surgical team once you were admitted. I will pass on your gratitude to them and add my own acknowledgement of the excellent work they did to prevent surgery being required. I also appreciate the efforts of the initial clinic you presented to and our colleagues at Telehealth for their efficient assessment and instructions.

I was certainly concerned to read of the challenges you faced when you first presented to the Geraldton ED and would like to apologise for the distress and inconvenience caused. I assure you we will review our handover processes to ensure we are thoroughly prepared for any patient that has been referred from the Telehealth team. Whilst it may have been unavoidable to have you return to the waiting room for a period of time, there is a kind and compassionate way to achieve this and you certainly indicate we did not meet that in your case.

I would be very happy to speak with you and learn more about you presentation and admission. My name is Dr Margaret Sturdy, I am the Director Medical Services Geraldton Hospital. I can be contacted on 9956 8125 or email wachs-midwestcgu@health.wa.gov.au.

If whilst at the Emergency Department a patient feels they are not receiving the care or treatment the need, we have a service at the hospital called Aishwarya’s CARE Call. You may notice posters about Aishwarya’s CARE Call in the hospital’s Emergency Department. This is a 3-step process for patients, carers and family members to use if they are worried about the treatment being provided by us. In the Midwest, no matter what WA Country Health Service hospital you go to, this number is 1800 316 729 or you can find out more here at: WA Country Health Service - Aishwarya’s CARE Call

I hope you are feeling better and do hope I hear from you soon.

Regards,

Dr Margaret Sturdy

Director Medical Service – Geraldton Hospital

WA Country Health Service – Midwest

Tel: 08 9956 8125

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