Duke University Hospital incident

[plugger]

I just wanted to mention one of our patient advocates, Larry Hall, who already has seen more than his share of trouble now had to deal with the Duke University emergency room, a 12 hour wait, and 6 hours of driving back and forth.  We've decided to make this public and are waiting on a response from Duke.

click_for_Duke_University_incident

[MdGuyS~]

Why this is so terrible I have to reply. I can only imagine the unnecessary pain that he had to endure just waiting to be treated by someone, with anything! I have experienced so much of the same treatment through hospital's in our area I am no longer worried about the lupus that is causing my Fiance` Karen to get sick, I'm more worried about the care she get's when in a "Hospital"! A place where people are supposed to come to get better when their treatment is treatable! Karen's potassium went down to a 2.5 and she was told to go to the emergency room right away for infusion's. By the time she went through the admission process and got her first infusion it was 6 hours from the time we got there. When they took the blood test, her potassium dropped to a 2.0
So I say what is going on? Why can't our love ones get decent treatment? why does someone have to get worse and possibly die before thing's are done about this kind of neglect? Why do I have to worry about this when someone has the power or influence to change thing's that are only expected when being cared for. Are we asking for too much?
I hope something is done about this before some poor family has to suffer because someone was overworked, understaffed and unaware of a patient's need's. I hope someone follow's this through and get's an answer. I have written two memo's to a hospital administration and got their attention I hope. Cause I will not allow my fiance to experience more pain then what she went in for. If I have to overstep my boundries in a hospital it's because they left me with no choice. I will not let something happen to someone I'm supposed to protect. And all we ask is that a hospital treat a patient as if it was their own family member.
Thanks plugger for posting this and please let us of any update's.
MdGuyS~ 

[plugger]

You're welcome MdGuyS~!  Maybe a little negative advertising will help get their attention.

[plugger]

I did want to mention I have some good news and some bad news. Larry, one of our patient advocates, has had his surgery moved from the end of January to the beginning of the month - http://dialysisethics2.org/forum/index.php?topic=481.0.

The bad news is we are getting the run-around in obtaining a response. So Carl Ginsburg, a lawyer/journalist friend, has graciously offered to help. We like to settle these matters with less fanfare, but Duke seems to be insisting. So if they want to meet one of our heavy-hitters - so be it.

[Angie]

I did want to mention I have some good news and some bad news. Larry, one of our patient advocates, has had his surgery moved from the end of January to the beginning of the month - http://dialysisethics2.org/forum/index.php?topic=481.0.

The bad news is we are getting the run-around in obtaining a response. So Carl Ginsburg, a lawyer/journalist friend, has graciously offered to help. We like to settle these matters with less fanfare, but Duke seems to be insisting. So if they want to meet one of our heavy-hitters - so be it.

Wow just another reason it is good that DialysisEthics is back in action!

[plugger]

If people aren't going to leave us alone, I guess we will just have to get back to it.   

[plugger]

Actually I believe it is a moral and civic duty I feel that keeps drawing me back - someday I'm going to find out where in my brain my conscience resides and I'll have it surgically removed!  Also the thought my kid may again someday need the services of clinic, is a big motivator.

[ShinigamiDOOM]

I've been through a few 6-8 hour hospital visits with Natassia, and sometimes the hospital staff can be VERY neglectful of the patient.  I understand that they are understaffed and overworked, but seriously there should be some kind of reform in this aspect of the health care industry.  Sometimes nursing staff etc is just down right mean and unsympathetic, and you really have to push to get things done. 

[plugger]

I understand that they are understaffed and overworked, but seriously there should be some kind of reform in this aspect of the health care industry.

You hit the nail on the head!  I guess we have to keep in mind the situation isn't caused by the people on the front lines, but it's hard when somebody you care about is having problems.  Having been through it I know it's tough to strip out the emotion and just deal with the situation as best you can - though I wonder if some calculated yelling works at times.

I know what kind of reform I would like to see - HR676 - though it is more starting at the top, I believe it would take money from a lot of the useless administration and allow it to go to things like the ER!

[plugger]

CMS and the State of North Carolina pay a visit to Duke University:

http://dialysisethics2.org/forum/index.php?topic=481.30

[Angie]

CMS and the State of North Carolina pay a visit to Duke University:

http://dialysisethics2.org/forum/index.php?topic=481.30

Thanks for the update!