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"Recent admission to regional hospital in Victoria"

About: Sale Hospital / Emergency Department Sale Hospital / Surgical Services/Ward

(as the patient),

Attended ED recentlly.  Self diagnosed (GP agreed) with diverticulitis (have had it previously) diarrhoea and dehydration.  Eventually seen after waiting in excess of two hours. 

Two hours of what I felt as torture followed as a rude, rough "doctor" tried to insert a cannula.  I felt this doctor appeared to regard me - and especially my arms - as little more than slabs of meat. 

Over a week later, I still have a 10 x 5 cm haematoma on my left arm!  They eventually agreed to contact the anaesthetic registrar - who succeeded at her first attempt.  Admitted to the ward - I have the misfortune to be both diabetic, and needle phobic, with erratic blood pressure. 

I was not happy that the main focus for the staff seemed to be on frequent blood sugar readings, and my blood pressure, while totally ignoring my main presenting condition.  My GP had prescribed an antibiotic to control this - this was ceased, along with the majority of my antihypertensive drugs, also my diabetic medications. 

Blood sugar reading soared  - so insulin dose was increased.  At one stage a nurse appeared, and injected me twice with insulin, "explaining" that the insulin syringe only held 50 units,, so they had to use a second one for the rest.  Surely even a first year student nurse would have known to use a bigger syringe?  I was finally discharged the following Wednesday, having had absolutely no investigations into my presenting problem, apart from my stomach being poked and prodded on the morning rounds! 

All remain as it was - I have restarted the antibiotics my GP prescribed, and at present feel as if I would need to be practically comatose before going near that place again.  In addition, in the period I was a patient, my bed was roughly straightened (top only) once, but never made.  As an ex-nurse, I consider nursing standards have dropped abysmally - in my opinion there was absolutely no care or concern for my physical comfort.  Not happy!

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Responses

Response from Mark Dykgraaf, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Suite, Central Gippsland Health 2 weeks ago
Mark Dykgraaf
Chief Executive Officer, Executive Suite,
Central Gippsland Health
Submitted on 6/12/2024 at 11:34 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 11:35 AM


picture of Mark Dykgraaf

Dear Bruised pincushion

Thank you for taking the time to share the concerns you have about your recent experience in our Emergency Department and during your subsequent admission. We are very sorry to hear of the distress and discomfort you experienced.

It is concerning to hear about the difficulties you faced, from the delay in being seen, to your painful experience with the cannula insertion, and the subsequent haematoma. Your description of feeling disregarded by the doctor who initially attended to you is troubling – it is important to us that every patient in our care feels respected and heard at all times.

Your feedback regarding the cessation of your medications, the management of your diabetes, and the lack of investigation into your primary concern of diverticulitis highlights important areas where we may have fallen short, or where communication was lacking to explain why these things occurred.

Please be assured that we will share your feedback with our teams and make improvements where needed. Should you wish for a more detailed investigation into your concerns, feel free to contact my office at ceo.office@cghs.com.au or on (03) 5143 8319.

We appreciate your feedback and encourage you to reach out if there are further supports we can provide you.

Kind Regards

Mark

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Update posted by Bruised pincushion (the patient)

Thank you for your response, Mark. I think the main problem was that I felt ignored, and disregarded. I feel the practice of standing outside the door and discussing the patient as if he/she is blind, deaf and dumb is belittling - the patient should be involved. After all, the discussion is about them!

Response from Mark Dykgraaf, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Suite, Central Gippsland Health last week
Mark Dykgraaf
Chief Executive Officer, Executive Suite,
Central Gippsland Health
Submitted on 12/12/2024 at 2:39 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 5:52 PM


picture of Mark Dykgraaf

Dear Bruised pincushion

Thank you for your further commentary regarding feeling ignored and disregarded which is not as it should be.

Making sure we “see” the person and treat them with professional courtesy and kindness is essential to good care. It is something that we continue to work on with our teams through our Excellence Programme at Central Gippsland Health.

Thank you again for your feedback.

Kind Regards

Mark

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