"Emergency triage"

Since the start of the year, I have had various health issues which has meant I have experienced the public health service in various settings. In the main it has been a positive experience and I have received quality and compassionate care from all concerned.

However recently I had a negative experience at BRH Emergency department. The nurse in question was the triage nurse on duty. I had spent the night in BHC Emergency department and due to my recent history (Rt Nephroureterectomy) and following a CT scan with contrast which showed a possible bowel obstruction I was transferred to BRH the following day. It was felt that I was stable enough to travel in a private vehicle and not wait for an ambulance transfer. I travelled with a close relative and spouse to BRH in our own car.

On my journey between the two hospitals, I had a very large vomit that appeared to contain blood (coffee grounds). This was different to how I had presented at BHC. On arrival at BRH I was shown into the triage room at the front of the emergency department. I gave the paperwork I had been given at BSN to the nurse and I also attempted to show them the vomit – which they dismissed, saying I don’t want to see that – no I really don’t want to see that. I felt this was said in a rather abrupt manner and not particularly caring tone. I felt that their assessment should have been based on the notes provided from BHC and also my new presenting symptoms. This did not appear to happen. The nurse added that although I had been told there would be a bed at BRH that this wasn’t the case and I was to go to the other seats where the clerk would call me forward. Following this I was instructed to sit and wait to be called through.

My condition then started to deteriorate further and I continued to vomit. My spouse raised their concerns about me as per the Aishwarya’s care call posters to another Nurse who was in the waiting area of emergency. When they saw my vomit, they expressed their concern and asked if this was new to how I had presented at BHC which I said yes. I added that I had attempted to show this to the triage nurse who was not interested. They immediately transferred me into a wheelchair and took me through to be seen. I cannot fault the care and attention which was provide from the Dr and two nurses who attended to me in the department. They were compassionate and caring. They took the time to explain to me and my relatives each procedure and my provisional diagnosis. Once a bed was available on the surgical ward I was transferred there for observation and care until my discharge.