This story is about a teleconference between Busselton Health Campus and Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) in Perth. I'm an elderly patient waiting for a laminectomy. At FSH I've managed to change another visit by agreeing to a teleconference between myself at Busselton and FSH. The appointment was for a conference with an anaesthetist for an early morning appointment with an initial check at Busselton Health Campus Nurse, to check pulse, ECG and other medical details. The local nurse was very nice and professional and emailed these results to Perth to save time.
I had previously been to neurosurgery departments in Perth three times starting early this year, plus I had an MRI for assessment.
I'm in a lot of pain caused by my back. Heavy medication only helps sometimes. The initial checkup took around 20 mins. My spouse accompanied me on this journey. Next we were shown to the conference room upstairs in the Busselton Hospital. The room was big enough, and had plenty of hard chairs and a video screen. The reason I mention the hard chairs will become more evident later.
We sat down and waited for the anaesthetist to appear. About an hour later a FSH nurse came to the screen to inform us it would not be long. Shortly after another nurse came on the screen, with another list of medical questions. A short while later, the anaesthetist appeared. Our conversation lasted 10 minutes and included more medical history and expressed their interest in my case.
The anaesthetist was a very professional and nice person. I was then informed by yet another nurse that the surgery team doctor needed to speak with me but was running late with ward rounds and I would have to wait.
The doctor eventually arrived onscreen an hour later and commenced asking more questions and passing on good hospital practice. This doctor was very nice, and the talk only lasted a few minutes. Total conference took up to two hours - most of it probably necessary but most of the questions seemed repetitive.
All the waiting times were annoying but I could've almost managed with a few more comforts.
To have to sit on an ergonomically unfit chair is very painful and I recommend more suitable chairs or even a bed be made available including a small writing desk for the patient to take notes.
Some cold water in a cup would be good, as well as more information regarding who the patient is to confer with. I thought I was just speaking to the anaesthetist, and not three more professionals. And perhaps the technician could check the sound on the video, not loud enough and not very clear. Trust all concerned will read this and maybe make some improvements.
"A Teleconference"
About: Busselton Health Campus Busselton Health Campus Busselton 6280 Fiona Stanley Hospital Fiona Stanley Hospital Murdoch 6150
Posted by hydrusnf97 (as ),
Do you have a similar story to tell?
Tell your story & make a difference ››
Responses
See more responses from Jan Cook
Update posted by hydrusnf97 (the patient) 4 years ago
See more responses from Neil Doverty
Update posted by hydrusnf97 (the patient) 4 years ago
See more responses from Jan Cook
Update posted by hydrusnf97 (the patient) 4 years ago