Tom's Journal.http://tomschuckmanjournal.blogspot.com/tschuckman@aol.com
Another hot, humid day after another storm and tornadoes North of us in S.E. Wisconsin. I went to visit my wife in St. Catherine's hospital West of Kenosha, WI., and found her writhing in pain, hyper and TIED DOWN TO HER BED with her privates exposed, with no body looking after her. Her lips were dry and cracked and she need help in ICU! And then in front of the hefty RN--Linda M., and a Nurse's Aid, my wife articulated that she was thirsty, so the "nurses" finally got her some cold water to drink, which she did. I was angry as I had to hunt for "professional" help. All they did was act defensively and give me some 'dog pile' nonsense/ excuses that amounted to nothing, but I expected that. He cardiac 'doctor' didn't do much better. They claimed that she was unresponsive all the time --- until I got there and started talking and communicating with Sharon, much to their embarrassment. She needed to urinate, move up in the bed and was VERY thirsty. I could well understand Sharon's needs and verbal English OK! Sorry, folks, I get upset when my loved ones are abused and abandoned, and I AM SHARON'S 'PATIENT ADVOCATE', as we both agreed to that in detail many moon ago! Who knows how long Sharon had her hands tied down when she was in pain, had to urinate, but no body told her that they had inserted a catheter, and she was holding it all that time!! I didn't know that we were in North Korea!
Sharon was in and out of unresponsiveness, but I did get things done for her. It was very irritating that none of the staff knew anything and had a very detached, aloft, attitude about my poor wife's welfare or feelings. I know darned well that they put on a little show for me while I was there. I held Sharon's hand-- rubbed it and talked to her for a while, but after all the sparks with the "staff" I left and said I would be back latter-- and we live 22 miles away from that "hospital of horrors." You see now why I was so concerned with the EMT- Ambulance people taking her to the WRONG hospital. They dumped her in a 'slop shop' where they have not a clue! Knowing that I put the fear of God in the hospital staff, I felt somewhat assured that Sharon would get better treatment...today-- for a while. The hospital downtown in Kenosha, WI-- KMH, is a better facility for sure. St. Cat's has a bad rep. in my opinion. And I expect things to get MUCH worse with 'obama-care.'
I broke my upper molar a few weeks ago, and the VA Dental folks will have to remove it, if they can't fix it, and it broke off while I was eating pure chocolate-- AT THE GUM LINE! That procedure ought to be FUN on Saturday morning!
On top of that, my youngest daughter is driving up from CO to visit us, and she can use my house as a "Base Camp" from which to deploy and visit all the relatives, etc, including Sharon, but no kids allowed in ICU, unless my wife is dying.
The hospital staff continues to run more tests on Sharon, concentrating on the heart. It's pure hell for me to just wait and be patient not knowing anything, and very frustrating seeing the staff and RN's/ Docs who don't have a clue either and running me around like a coon hound-- feeding me baloney. I would have to say that even the VA hospital in Milwaukee is much better...Ha! The right hand doesn't know what the Left hand is doing at St. Catherine's--Kenosha on Highway 50. What State organization or entity do I contact to report unprofessional patient care and abuse?? Why would they leave my wife tied down and abandoned and then not being able to give a response for that??
Just another day in Paradise.
Tom
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
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5 comments:
I am so sorry that she is getting that sort of treatment. She may have been trying to get up by herself and they thought she might fall off the bed is the only thing I can think off. I sure wish she was getting better treatment. I know that worries you a lot. Good luck on getting those teeth fixed. Helen
Tom,
Your experience is all too common in our health care system today. There may be a Professional Patient Advocate in your area who can help you. You may want to check out this national organization online to see if you can locate someone...National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants, http://www.nahac.memberlodge.com/. They are private pay (no insurance covers them -- yet) but it could be well worth the investment, and save you money in the long run -- preventing costly problems that your wife may endure because of the current treatment (or lack thereof) she is getting now...Also, readers should be aware that if a hospital tells you they have a "patient advocate," or "hospitalist" looking out for the patients, remember who their employer is -- the hospital!
Sheryl
Tom,
Your experience is all too common in our health care system today. There may be a Professional Patient Advocate in your area who can help you. You may want to check out this national organization online to see if you can locate someone...National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants, http://www.nahac.memberlodge.com/. They are private pay (no insurance covers them -- yet) but it could be well worth the investment, and save you money in the long run -- preventing costly problems that your wife may endure because of the current treatment (or lack thereof) she is getting now...Also, readers should be aware that if a hospital tells you they have a "patient advocate," or "hospitalist" looking out for the patients, remember who their employer is -- the hospital!
Sheryl
Karina sent you a message.
Karina Vagg
Karina VaggJune 23, 2010 at 10:45pm
Subject: Hospital Complaint
Hi Tom,
I was just reading your post on the prayer site.
I am nurse working in Australia. I am not sure how the medical system works where you are, but I can tell you some of what I know from working in a public hospital.
There are normally policies that a hospital follow for procedures and most things, including restraint. I have never seen anyone held or restrained because they are in pain, unless they were attacking the staff.
All hospitals should have a complaints department that you can take your concerns too.
I would ask to speak to the Nurse Manager, or the one who overseas the staff in the area and speak to that person. Discuss all your concerns ask them about the policy of restraint, dealing with pain and professionalism of the staff that you are not receiving.
If worse comes to worse, threatening to go the media also moves things along very quickly.
I hope this helps. I will be praying that your wife gets the care and respect that she deserves.
Karina
Debbie from Kenosha, WI., said:
Yes- St. Cat's was always the inferior hosp. In my and many other people's opinions. The big new fancy hosp. Doesn't mean the care is better just that the price is more. I went there w/ Bill while he was getting A ck.up/ follow up after his radiation treatment. His Dr. Who practices at the cancer center is from College of WI. Basically Froedert. So we went to St. Cat's for blood work and oh my dear God- they tore up his arm. Blood everywhere and 6 holes in his arm. We reported them to hosp. Management ( not that they will do anything mind you- but for the principle of it)His cotton ball bandage was dripping w/ blood again by the time we drove home. Neither of us will ever set foot in that excuse for a hosp. Again. Yes Tom- get her transferred to Kenosha Hosp. Asap. I pray to our dear and Mighty God that He takes Sharon and wraps His healing arms around her; I pray that she is not afraid or alone and laughs in the face of disparity and fights- fights for her precious life so she can live in peace and health w/ her loving husband all the years of her life. Pray for her to make it Tom. Tell her God is not thru w/ her yet and to get her ass better so she can help you preach to more people:)Give her the will to live. God will do the rest. I am praying for you dear brother Tom. Don't ever doubt that. Take care of yourself too please cuz you aint gonna be no kinda help to Sharon when you're all banged up yourself! Get some sleep and go get her out of there in the early AM. Let me know what happens!
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