Admitted
Rather than continue to update the same post over & over... I talked to a couple people around 4 PM and got another load of BS. One of us got a load, anyway, because he was told a different story than I was. Oh, and they tried to get him down to dialysis TWICE. He hasn't been diagnosed with ANYTHING (yet) that would require that. Luckily he was alert enough to say no the second time (the first time, his ER doc stopped it).
They told Dad they couldn't admit him because he didn't have an IV. He said, "well, I'm pretty sure that wasn't my job. I'm pretty sure it's YOUR job, so why don't you take care of that?" Then, they couldn't admit him for another reason, then another.
What we've pieced together: his doc meant to admit him last night, but didn't write her orders correctly. To save face, she had to stand firm and insist that another doctor consult. The thing he consulted on (only the blisters) could be treated at home, so he wouldn't admit Dad. But no one would look at/treat the swelling (his leg was so swollen he couldn't get his artificial leg on) or the hematuria (blood in the urine*).
The last person I talked to said they couldn't admit him because the infectious diseases doc wouldn't admit (because the blisters were from cellulitus, which could be treated at home w/ oral antibiotics). Fine, I said, but what about the blood in the urine? "We're waiting on a urologist now." Now? Now? You just called a urologist, and he's been peeing blood since 6 AM?! That is UNACCEPTABLE. I hung up. Then called the patient advocate and left a heated message. I said that it was 4:15 PM on the 10th and I was on my way to pick up my father. They had until I arrived to get a urologist into his room, or I was removing him to another facility and calling a lawyer.
I was willing to do it, because they obviously didn't give a tinker's damn about him, but I was hoping they'd believe I was serious and get something done.
About 20 minutes later, Dad's nephrologist (kidney doc) strolled in. According to the chart, he'd seen Dad and signed off on his case, but he'd never been in, and acknowledged that that was fishy. He took one look at dad's leg and said, "Oh yeah, you're staying." He's sure the blood was from a catheter-related injury, based on certain indications that could only be seen after the bleeding stopped. Still, zero excuse for not getting him seen earlier, since he's diabetic, with a history of kidney issues, and hadn't peed in 2 days.
Finally, he's admitted. About 30 minutes ago, he got settled in his room and called. This day has been a nightmare! A couple things have been accomplished:
1. The nephrologist admitted him, so his other doc. is off the case.
2. She's also fired. He's never going back to her. He will find a new GP.
3. The hospital is fired too. He's agreed to never go back.
What a completely sucky day!
After I left the hospital, I went to take care of an overcharge at a store by John's work (they rang up one item 3x - bonus: I paid the sale price, but they refunded the full price) and then went to see John and get a hug. I got behind an obviously impaired driver** on the way home and called that in to the police. I stopped off at JoAnn's and got the makings for J's turkey scarf. I also got Jen's boys' fabric for their pillowcases (monster trucks okay?). And the coupon discount I had pretty much paid for the scarf materials. Finally, the grocery store.
Now I'm on a 3-day weekend. Dad's in the hospital, but at least his case is being overseen by someone who seems competent.
*Thanks, Jen.
**Sat through most of a green light before making a right turn, then drifted from lane-to-lane. After the 4th sudden lane change and constant braking, I called 911.
They told Dad they couldn't admit him because he didn't have an IV. He said, "well, I'm pretty sure that wasn't my job. I'm pretty sure it's YOUR job, so why don't you take care of that?" Then, they couldn't admit him for another reason, then another.
What we've pieced together: his doc meant to admit him last night, but didn't write her orders correctly. To save face, she had to stand firm and insist that another doctor consult. The thing he consulted on (only the blisters) could be treated at home, so he wouldn't admit Dad. But no one would look at/treat the swelling (his leg was so swollen he couldn't get his artificial leg on) or the hematuria (blood in the urine*).
The last person I talked to said they couldn't admit him because the infectious diseases doc wouldn't admit (because the blisters were from cellulitus, which could be treated at home w/ oral antibiotics). Fine, I said, but what about the blood in the urine? "We're waiting on a urologist now." Now? Now? You just called a urologist, and he's been peeing blood since 6 AM?! That is UNACCEPTABLE. I hung up. Then called the patient advocate and left a heated message. I said that it was 4:15 PM on the 10th and I was on my way to pick up my father. They had until I arrived to get a urologist into his room, or I was removing him to another facility and calling a lawyer.
I was willing to do it, because they obviously didn't give a tinker's damn about him, but I was hoping they'd believe I was serious and get something done.
About 20 minutes later, Dad's nephrologist (kidney doc) strolled in. According to the chart, he'd seen Dad and signed off on his case, but he'd never been in, and acknowledged that that was fishy. He took one look at dad's leg and said, "Oh yeah, you're staying." He's sure the blood was from a catheter-related injury, based on certain indications that could only be seen after the bleeding stopped. Still, zero excuse for not getting him seen earlier, since he's diabetic, with a history of kidney issues, and hadn't peed in 2 days.
Finally, he's admitted. About 30 minutes ago, he got settled in his room and called. This day has been a nightmare! A couple things have been accomplished:
1. The nephrologist admitted him, so his other doc. is off the case.
2. She's also fired. He's never going back to her. He will find a new GP.
3. The hospital is fired too. He's agreed to never go back.
What a completely sucky day!
After I left the hospital, I went to take care of an overcharge at a store by John's work (they rang up one item 3x - bonus: I paid the sale price, but they refunded the full price) and then went to see John and get a hug. I got behind an obviously impaired driver** on the way home and called that in to the police. I stopped off at JoAnn's and got the makings for J's turkey scarf. I also got Jen's boys' fabric for their pillowcases (monster trucks okay?). And the coupon discount I had pretty much paid for the scarf materials. Finally, the grocery store.
Now I'm on a 3-day weekend. Dad's in the hospital, but at least his case is being overseen by someone who seems competent.
*Thanks, Jen.
**Sat through most of a green light before making a right turn, then drifted from lane-to-lane. After the 4th sudden lane change and constant braking, I called 911.