Grrrrrrrrrr. I am so freaking pissed off I am shaking. If I could, I would load up the kids, drive down to Denver and take a big chunk out of this nurse's arse.
So, my mom had back surgery today. Her health is horrible and I've been super edgy about this procedure in the first place, but she's been in so much pain that she insisted on the surgery. She's had 4 failed lumbar fusions and two nerve stimulators implanted that haven't done any good. The curvature of her low back is more of a 90 degree angle than the S-curve it's supposed to be. Anyway, they started her procedure 2 1/2 hours late, then it took about 7 1/2 hours (told us it would take 5. I figured 8 hours, so, no big surprise there.).
So, surgeon came out at 5:30 pm and told us things went well, she now has rods running from T9-S1, and he cleaned out a ton of scar tissue around the nerves, etc. He said they were closing and she would be going to recovery for a few hours and then to ICU. So, Dad was hungry, headed down to the cafeteria to grab some dinner and wait it out there. I needed to head back up to get the kids to bed, etc. I knew she wouldn't be off the vent tonight, so I would just come back in the am.
Dad called around 9pm to tell me he had alienated a few ICU nurses. So, when he got back to the waiting room, he waited a bit longer, then at 7:30 he called the number at the desk where it says "if you've waited over 2 hours without someone contacting you, please call XXXX" The guy there said, "Oh, she just hit the unit, give us 20 minutes and we'll send someone out to get you." Fine. He waited an hour and called again. No answer. He knew she was going to ICU, so he wandered around and found the ICU and her room. The two nurses in there treated him like crap. They were openly rude, told him they didn't have time to tell him anything, said the doctor gave him misinformation, fairly hostile. Dad felt so unwelcome that he decided to go home. They said that was a good idea and turned their backs on him. Dad tried to get information at the desk, no luck. He finally just left and called me.
I got the kids to bed and went and read the hospital's website and patient rights, etc. I called the ICU and finally got to talk to my mom's nurse. He was quite possibly the biggest a$$hole I have ever dealt with in my career in health care, which I did tell him. He continued to be rude and condescending and dismissive throughout my call with him. And he told me my mother is too sick for him to be wasting time on the phone and if I was really in health care I would know that I shouldn't be bothering him. I finally talked to the house supervisor and am filing a formal complaint with the hospital in the morning. I have also asked for this nurse to be removed from my mother's care. Oh, and I still don't know how Mom is doing!!!! And no apologies from the nurse or the house supervisor. I didn't care for this hospital before, I hate it now. Health care "professionals" who act like this guy make me embarassed and furious. As soon as I quit shaking, I'll probably start crying. I am so fuuking mad.
Re: So pi$$ed off at mom's hospital (long ol' vent)
~Working Mom~Breastfeeding Mom~Cloth Diapering Mom~BLW Mom~
Blog - No Longer on the DL ~ The Man Cave
Shawn and Larissa
LO #1 - Took 2 years and 2 IVFs ~ DX - severe MFI mild PCOS homozygous MTHFR (a1298c)
LO #2 - TTC 7 months, surprise spontaneous BFP!
No more baby siggie pics. Boo.
You know what makes me just as mad? What if you weren't in health care & didn't know what to expect or the channels of communication or how to find patients rights & file a complaint?
No one deserves to be treated that way, but I'm glad you know what should and shouldn't be expected. I hope you get results from your complaint.
And I hope your mom is doing well.
Katie Talks About...
That sucks! I hope that your complaint gets heard by the higher-ups and this guy isn't allowed to do this to anyone else.
I hope you can get some answers about your mom today! ((hugs))
Growing Up Olson
DD -- 5YO
DS -- 3YO
My thoughts exactly! Hope your mom has a speedy recovery!
Oh, wow. Just wow. I work in the ICU of a Denver area hospital and I am praying this didn't happen at my institution. I am embarrassed for these nurses. How awful for you and your Dad.
I absolutely agree with contacting the Patient Advocate and CNO of the hospital. You may also want to try the ICU director him/herself - many times they can respond quickly and efficiently to this type of concern.
I hope your mom is better very soon!
Married Bio
I'm so sorry, Pam.
I hope they are treating your mom better post-op than they are treating you and your family!
Keep us posted, okay?
{{{hugs!}}}
PAIF and SAIF welcome. IVF questions welcome, too.
Holy cow, we're going to have a little sister!!