Can't seem to catch a break (Update at bottom)

UncleBuddy
UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
edited December 2013 in Colorectal Cancer #1

My brother went for his follow-up with his oncologist on Monday. His heart rate was fast, his leg was swollen and his INR was very low. The oncologist decided to readmit him to see what was going on. We found out that the discharge nurse/doctor at the other hospital screwed up (I knew they were stupid). They discharged him on Wednesday and told us my brother should have the dr check his INR on Monday. THE INR SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHECKED ON FRIDAY!!! Waiting that long caused his levels to get so low, they were practically nonexistant. His levels are finally reaching the correct level so he should be discharged tomorrow. The swollen leg was phlebitis. This hospital has all private rooms, so we didn't have to worry about him having a roommate. This was the original hospital that transferred my brother out without our consent. Well, when he was readmitted, I brought in all his paperwok, went to the social worker, patient advocate, nursing supervisor and hospitalist. I gave them the 411 on my brother and explained what happened 3 weeks before, warning them that this better NOT happen again. Well, I guess they thought we were going to sue. They have been calling me daily, stopping me in the hallway and giving me information, coming in and out of his room checking to see if we have any questions. The social worker said that what happened NEVER should have happened, so they are going to have a conference to put safety measures in place to prevent it from happening again. I had never had any issues with this hospital before and they have always been very copperative, so all I can say is whoever was on duty screwed up and screwed up bad. His onc complained too because no one even called her to tell her he was transferred. Anyway, I have been so much more relaxed this time because I am being heard. 

The other hospital didn't give a hoot that I complained. They told me the Health Care Proxy meant nothing unless he was in a coma or incapacitated. They just didn't want to bother. I am going to get a letter from his doctor stating that he does not have the mental capacity to make medical decisions and they need to contact me. This will be brought with me any time he is admitted anywhere, along with his health care proxy. The social worker said if I have both of these papers and my wishes are ignored, it's a lawsuit waiting to happen, so the hospital will comply. Right now they are jumping through hoops to keep us happy.

Anyway, my brother looks so much better today. Keep your fingers crossed that he comes home tomorrow.

Ugh! I am exhausted!!

Lin

Comments

  • johnnybegood
    johnnybegood Member Posts: 1,117 Member
    #2
    hey Lin

    im sorry your brother is having such a hard time hope he gets to come home soon.by the way i think you are a great sister to your brother the way you take care of him and speak for him when he is not able,you go girl i dont know what we would do without our caregivers....Godbless...johnnybegood

  • Coloncancerblows
    Coloncancerblows Member Posts: 296 Member
    #3
    I'm so sorry about your

    I'm so sorry about your brother.  Sending prayers your way.

     

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #4
    Awful

    I am so sorry your poor borther has had such awful treatment.  And I'm sorry for you, who has tried so hard to make things go more smoothly. 

    May he continue to improve and not have to go back to any hospital. 

    Give him a HUGE hug from me.

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    #5
    Thanks everyone!!!

    My brother was discharged today. His INR is good, so we go to the doctor Monday to start monitoring it regularly. He's in heaven right now! I took him and dad home and the first thing he did was sit in his recliner and say "there's no place like home." Haha! He is such a character!

    I set up his meds until Monday in his pill sorter. Moday I will finish for the week; he may have a change in the dosage of coumadin so I'll have to wait until then. Tuesday I have an echocardiogram for myself. I hope all turns out well because I have enough on my plate. :)

    Thank you all for your kind words. One of these days, I'll share a story but I don't have time tonight. Family isn't always blood, it's who you grow up with and care about. Sometimes blood relatives suck!

    Lin

    PS I hope everyone is feeling well. I'll try to check back later. I need to put my feet up.

  • traci43
    traci43 Member Posts: 773 Member
    #6
    UncleBuddy said:

    Thanks everyone!!!

    My brother was discharged today. His INR is good, so we go to the doctor Monday to start monitoring it regularly. He's in heaven right now! I took him and dad home and the first thing he did was sit in his recliner and say "there's no place like home." Haha! He is such a character!

    I set up his meds until Monday in his pill sorter. Moday I will finish for the week; he may have a change in the dosage of coumadin so I'll have to wait until then. Tuesday I have an echocardiogram for myself. I hope all turns out well because I have enough on my plate. :)

    Thank you all for your kind words. One of these days, I'll share a story but I don't have time tonight. Family isn't always blood, it's who you grow up with and care about. Sometimes blood relatives suck!

    Lin

    PS I hope everyone is feeling well. I'll try to check back later. I need to put my feet up.

    Glad to hear he's improving!

    Sounds like you finally got the hospital issues under control as well.  That's got to be a huge relief.  Your brother is so lucky to hae you for an advocate.  We had problems off and on for the last 10 years my Grandma was alive--she had internal bleeding likely caused by years of pain killer eroding her stomach and instestines.  My Mom went to all her appointments with her to make sure things were on the right track. 

    I hope your test goes well and you get the A-Okay!  Traci

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    #7
    traci43 said:

    Glad to hear he's improving!

    Sounds like you finally got the hospital issues under control as well.  That's got to be a huge relief.  Your brother is so lucky to hae you for an advocate.  We had problems off and on for the last 10 years my Grandma was alive--she had internal bleeding likely caused by years of pain killer eroding her stomach and instestines.  My Mom went to all her appointments with her to make sure things were on the right track. 

    I hope your test goes well and you get the A-Okay!  Traci

    Thanks Traci

    Tomorrow I'm going to ask his dr to type a letter for me to keep in his folder so when we go to the hospital in the future, they will have it on file. If they ignore this letter, they could have a lawsuit on their hands (not what I want, but it may make them think twice). He is feeling well. The visiting nurse said his heart rate is still a little on the high side, so I'm glad he has a dr appointment tomorrow.

    Lin

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #8
    UncleBuddy said:

    Thanks everyone!!!

    My brother was discharged today. His INR is good, so we go to the doctor Monday to start monitoring it regularly. He's in heaven right now! I took him and dad home and the first thing he did was sit in his recliner and say "there's no place like home." Haha! He is such a character!

    I set up his meds until Monday in his pill sorter. Moday I will finish for the week; he may have a change in the dosage of coumadin so I'll have to wait until then. Tuesday I have an echocardiogram for myself. I hope all turns out well because I have enough on my plate. :)

    Thank you all for your kind words. One of these days, I'll share a story but I don't have time tonight. Family isn't always blood, it's who you grow up with and care about. Sometimes blood relatives suck!

    Lin

    PS I hope everyone is feeling well. I'll try to check back later. I need to put my feet up.

    So glad to hear that he's home!

    And I'm really glad he has you looking out for him.  He's very lucky in that regard!  Being re-admitted to the hospital, btw, is a big deal, and not in a good way, for the hospital.  They have to report their re-admission rate, and it can affect all kinds of things, including funding.  This will now be on his record, which should help, but if you have any issues in the future, just remind them he's already been readmitted once, and you will probably get excellent service.

    I was discharged too early once by a PA, and ended up back in the hospital via ambulance the next day.  The same PA was there while I was being checked in, and I've never seen someone so upset and worried.  I also never saw him at the hospital again, despite my many visits...i think it's quite possible he lost his job.

    Anyway, I'm glad your brother is doing better!

    Hugs to you both~AA

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    #9
    annalexandria said:

    So glad to hear that he's home!

    And I'm really glad he has you looking out for him.  He's very lucky in that regard!  Being re-admitted to the hospital, btw, is a big deal, and not in a good way, for the hospital.  They have to report their re-admission rate, and it can affect all kinds of things, including funding.  This will now be on his record, which should help, but if you have any issues in the future, just remind them he's already been readmitted once, and you will probably get excellent service.

    I was discharged too early once by a PA, and ended up back in the hospital via ambulance the next day.  The same PA was there while I was being checked in, and I've never seen someone so upset and worried.  I also never saw him at the hospital again, despite my many visits...i think it's quite possible he lost his job.

    Anyway, I'm glad your brother is doing better!

    Hugs to you both~AA

    Thanks AA!

    His story is a little complicated. He was admitted and transferred out for emergency surgery to another hospital. This is the hospital, who although they have ALWAYS given him excellent care in the past, transferred him to ICU then out for emergency surgery without notifying us. The other hospital he was in gave terrible care and had no interest in communicating with the family. Since he was re-admitted to this hospital, they have been falling over each other to help us. They apologized daily for the error and said they are bringing the situation up at the next meeting to make sure that some new safeguards are put into place. They hadn't even notified his doctor, so she complained too. Apparently, the secretaries are blaming the new computer system, but I'm not buying that. Anyway, he was there Monday to Friday and they were very gracious and communicated with me on a daily basis. I had so much less stress. Since he will, most likely, be visiting the hospital more frequently, I think it's a good idea that they do something to fix this issue. The social worker dove right in once I told her what happened. Once she opened her mouth, I had people falling all over me to communicate. I'm going to take this as a step in the right direction. My sister is still ticked off and wants to go further. I say, let it go, as long as it doesn't happen again. I have bigger fish to fry. I need to spend my energy on my brother and dad, not fighting this out in court. Anyway, thank you AA. 

    Lin

Discussion Boards