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Requesting quicker follow-up for elderly patients requiring ...

Posted By Whowillhelpme

"Requesting quicker follow-up for elderly patients requiring care."

About: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital

(as a relative),

Me being unreasonable?

Since late last year Mum has had ongoing UTI's (Urinary Tract Infections). In She was admitted to Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital and it was uncovered she had a heart problem. During her hospital stay, she was in ICU with sepsis, pneumonia etc. and now has a pacemaker. Since discharge she's had ongoing UTI's with antibiotic resistance.

Recently I went with Mum to her GP to get latest urine results. GP advised no growth but substantial increase in white & red blood cells, indicating inflammation. She advised she couldn't treat it and provided an ultrasound and urologist referral. I immediately phoned to make an appointment...next available appointment wasn't for a month. The next morning I phoned mum and she was extremely distressed. She hasn't slept properly in over 10 days.

I then took my elderly mum to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital ED due to 10 days of nightly, every 45 minutes needing to urinate. We were there for four hours with a urine sample taken and nothing else. I provided 6 months of urine results and explained the antibiotics issue. Was told not an emergency and wouldn't be seen by a urologist for at least 2 months. Prescribed antibiotics! I explained the falls risk and cold nights getting up so frequently may complicate her health. Given a commode by OT to help with falls risk. I was assured of a call next morning with urine results. No call.

The next day the OT department phoned me to follow up the commode suitability. I asked if urine results known as yet? OT offered to follow it up with a call to GP. It was confirmed that no results were received by them. She then phoned ED and was told results not back yet. She provided a number for me to call in the morning.

The following morning I phoned ED Duty Consultant who said he would phone me back. Still no call.

I am questioning:

Are my concerns for Mum's health unreasonable?

Is it unreasonable of me asking for quicker treatment for an elderly frail woman not sleeping, in discomfort and now with anxiety?

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Responses

Response from Marika Spaseska, Senior Project Officer Patient Opinion, Strategy and Executive Services, North Metropolitan Health Service 7 years ago
Marika Spaseska
Senior Project Officer Patient Opinion, Strategy and Executive Services,
North Metropolitan Health Service

Implement Patient Opinion across North Metropolitan Health Service hospitals/health services

Submitted on 7/07/2017 at 4:44 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 4:47 PM

Dear Whowillhelpme,

Below reply is provided on behalf of Dr Karen Murphy, Acting Executive Director, Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Hospital Care Group by Marika Spaseska, Administrator Patient Opinion.

I was very sorry to hear about your mum’s recent illness and am grateful for the opportunity to discuss any concerns she may have with the care she received at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

To provide a meaningful and accurate response we will need to review her medical record and speak with members of the team who were involved in providing her care.

I encourage her to contact our Patient Liaison Department on 6457 2867 so that we can discuss her concerns further. I understand you may be advocating on your mum’s behalf so this would also be an opportune time for your mum to provide written consent for us to be able to discuss her medical record with you.

I will endeavour to address the concerns you have raised and do hope your mum’s health has improved in recent days.

Dr Karen Murphy, Acting Executive Director Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Hospital Care Group.

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