"ED Admission"

Recently I phoned an RN friend of mine to find out if they knew who was the Nurse Manager on duty and if they could contact them to warn I was coming into ED due to what I though was suspected influenza which my friend kindly did so.

Fifteen minutes later I presented to ED Triage and I spoke to the RN and requested a mask as I thought I may have influenza as I felt acutely unwell with body aches, headache, hot runny eyes plus had developed a high fever and just felt really unwell. I had heard through my work that there had been an outbreak of influenza in Broome so this increased my fears re having the flu/influenza. 

The RN triage me immediately and took me to an isolation room so I could lie down plus be out of the waiting room. They then took me to a curtained bed area in ED where there were no other patients around. I was then seen by a doctor there who I informed of my symptoms and my belief that I had influenza due to feeling so unwell. Believe me, I would not go near an ED unless I felt like I was dying (so to speak), which I did. I had also had an Endone to be able to get out of the house to the hospital which I advised the doctor. 

I also advised that I had been diagnosed with other major issues including cancer last year and was going through treatment and was due to head to Perth for treatment.

I asked for some Tamiflu and if I could have some PCR swabs done to (hopefully) rule out influenza. The usual observations were completed indicating I had a high BP, pulse and fever and I advised I had only taken paracetamol and Endone 40 min prior to be able to leave the house due to feeling so unwell thus this would obviously reduce the higher fever I previously had at 39.3. 

The Doctor provided me with some amoxicillin and a stat dose of Tamiflu (unsure of dose received) and informed me to come back the next morning for an X-ray and bloods (not including swabs). 

I again reiterated that I really would like some swabs and Tamiflu and again the doctor advised to come back tomorrow and if still unwell to be seen in ED. 

I was too unwell to argue and just wanted to be in bed. 

I also knew that if I did in fact have influenza it was an irresponsible suggestion to come back into a hospital to get pathology and an X-ray and then wait in an ED waiting area feeling extremely unwell and potentially putting many others at risk of influenza. I also felt too unwell to do this. Also, myself being a high-risk patient it should have been taken into consideration at the initial consultation, especially as I had asked. 

I made the decision not to go back to work and spoke to Dr J to arrange to come in at a suitable time away from other patients and staff. I was given Tamiflu and PCR swab taken. Two days later it was confirmed via a phone call by Dr J that I had Influenza A and to obviously continue the Tamiflu and stay isolated etc, which I had done due to feeling so unwell. 

The reason for this patient opinion is not to get anyone into trouble but so that a patient with a chronic illness is assessed adequately and as high risk with obvious flu symptoms present and treated as such and ‘listened to’. If I had not had the Tamiflu when I did, my consultant advised I more than likely would have ended up being flown to Perth via Royal Flying Doctor Service and requiring an admission. These admissions are usually a minimum of 2-3 weeks with IV therapy plus many complications especially also having cancer. 

I am also guessing that there is an influenza policy especially due to the high rates that have been in Broome over the last couple of months? 

I also believe that It was also irresponsible to have someone with suspected influenza having to come back into the hospital when they could have had adequate testing then and there (not that is was adequate testing) and at least given a script for Tamiflu if required and enough treatment until a result came through. I can tell you there would have been no way I was well enough to be traipsing through a hospital getting bloods and X-ray and then to ED again with the way I felt! 

Thank you.