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"Poor experience about my treatment at ED"

About: Geraldton Hospital / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

Experienced severe L) loin pain (9/10) (I have had a history of this renal pain about 6 times over 10 years) on a weekend late last year.  Went up to local DEMHS ED. Spoke with Dr virtually on the TV screen. Prescribed an analgesic Oxycodone (orally) & Gentamycin (IV) that had an adverse reaction in the form of fit- like an epileptic fit). It took ~45 mins to calm down. 

Taken to GRH by ambulance for further investigation (presumably kidney infection ? stones). Arrived in the evening at GRH ED. Placed in a wheelchair & placed outside in the waiting room (where there were lots of people waiting.) Waited in waiting room until the early hours of the morning. I think I had a nurse check me once in this time to do obs. No water, no communication as to what will be happening with my care.

I felt very disempowered- like an animal in a shelter!  I was left in the waiting room til the early hours of the morning (by this time, when I was taken back into ED, I was the only one left in the waiting room). Then taken to a consulting room with a bed & a desk, where I slept undisturbed til morning.

A nurse then came & gave me a script before I was discharged the next morning.  I could hear the nurses talking & laughing & gossiping about all sorts of things, like what they where doing over Christmas. I think it was shift change, but I thought it was inappropriate, considering the stressed state I was in. I can't remember getting much explanation. I'm writing this story as I have been advised by a DHAC representative, so hopefully this humiliating treatment won't be repeated in the future. 

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Responses

Response from Didi Bower, Clinical Risk Management Coordinator, Safety and Quality, WA Country Health Service 10 months ago
Didi Bower
Clinical Risk Management Coordinator, Safety and Quality,
WA Country Health Service
Submitted on 6/02/2024 at 2:08 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 2:15 PM


picture of Didi Bower

Dear golfrh98

Thank you for sharing your experience on Care Opinion.

My name is Didi Bower, I am the Acting Regional Manager Patient Safety & Quality. I can be contacted on 08 9956 2279 or email didi.bower@health.wa.gov.au

I was sorry to read of your recent experience with the Geraldton Regional Hospital Emergency Department. From your feedback it is clear we did not achieve our goal of patient focused care that meets the expectations of our community and for that I offer my sincere apologies.

There can be various reasons for experiencing an extended waiting time in the Emergency Department, including obtaining test results, consultation with specialists or there may be more time critical presentations to be managed in the unit. Without knowing your identifying information I cannot be certain the exact reason for the wait. We acknowledge you felt there was a lack of communication and interactions whilst you were in the waiting room and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further. This would allow us to review your individual presentation and may lead to more impactful improvements for yourself and other people.

I would also be grateful if you would consider participating in a future DHAC Committee meeting and discussing your patient experience with the hospital management team and our consumer representatives. We can go through this opportunity in more detail if you choose to make contact by phone or email (as above).

If at any time either you feel you are not receiving the care or treatment you need, we have a service at the hospital called Aishwarya’s CARE Call. You may notice posters about Aishwarya’s CARE Call in our Emergency Department – this is a 3-step process for patients, carers and family members to use if they are worried about the treatment provided in hospital. In the Midwest, no matter what hospital you go to this number is 1800 316 729 or you can find out more here at: WA Country Health Service - Aishwarya’s CARE Call

I do hope you are feeling better now.

Regards

Didi Bower

Acting Regional Manager Patient Safety & Quality

WA Country Health Service – Midwest

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