"Admission to hospital as an asthma patient."

Experienced an asthma flare-up. Over the past two years have been admitted to Box Hill Hospital on 3 separate occasions & happy to report that the medical staff in the emergency ward did what they are excellent at and they got me through the worst of it. They stabilised my condition and eventually, I was placed in the respiratory ward. The attention I received was welcomed & reassuring, it was good to know that many questions were being asked of me. No doubt their purpose was to ascertain the extent of my condition and put into place a treatment program. It is important to mention that the care and attention I was exposed to by the nursing staff, doctors and pathology technicians was of a high calibre. There was only one dark moment when a nurse working in the respiratory ward delivered a tablet to me (at 5am) was wearing perfume, a known trigger for asthmatics. I dare say that is not encouraged; it certainly set me back a couple of days. I reported it to the charge nurse & trust that this thoughtless action will not be tolerated & that the nurse concerned has had this brought to her attention. To the rest of the team a big thank you and even the delivery of the meals was done with a smile. Not to overlook the cleaning staff who were happy to have a little chat. All in all my time at the hospital was a rewarding experience other than the episode of the perfume which had a negative impact and impacted on my well being. 

I would also take this opportunity to give a special mention to Theresa, the outreach community asthma nurse the service provided. I found her to be extremely valuable, organising rehabilitation, dietician, explaining the different types of spacers, nebulisers correct uses & checking on my medications - it gives one a lot of confidence. A very valuable, knowledgeable resource.