Chino

At the hospital again!

I need to rant for a minute because my daughter has to deal with this too, and I don't need to add to her frustration.

She's supposed to have oral surgery tomorrow but we were waiting to hear back from them and the results of the CT scan. They said the surgery date may change, or the kind of surgery, maybe the surgeons too.

They just called and asked if she could come in at 1:30 today. The following is a back and forth between me and the caller.

For what?
For surgery.
What surgery, the one scheduled tomorrow?
Surgery is scheduled for today.
Since when?
No one called you?
No and they were supposed to let us know the results of the CT scan.
What scan and has she eaten?
I don't know and don't know if we can make it today. What kind of surgery?
I don't know and I'll have the OR call you.

Whenever whomever calls back, I'll be sure to ask if they did a psych consult for pain meds, like they were supposed to. Odds are of course not because the different departments don't appear to know how to communicate with each other.

This is a nationally known teaching hospital with an incredible reputation. They have top of the line doctors and surgeons, and you couldn't ask for better diagnostics except maybe the Mayo clinic.

While I was typing the plastic surgeon's office called. Surgery is tomorrow again. I asked for the results of the CT scan and she asked what scan?



I left a message for the nurse to give me a callback TODAY, because certain things need to be discussed before the surgery. If they don't call back she will not have the surgery.

My daughter asked me to handle the calls because she can't right now. This is a mega CF and fubar, and I'm barely able to navigate it. She did listen to both phone calls and is learning, though.

OK, now that I've ranted I'm going to find some serenity!

BayAreaPhoenix

Glad you got it out! There is nothing more frustrating than navigating the bureaucracy of the medical "profession"!

Wishing you both luck that all answers, test/scan results, etc. end up in the right place, right time, no confusions.... sooner rather than later!

(((hugs)))

Chino

I went looking for serenity and I'm finding honest to goodness laughter. The nurse called me and asked "what CT scan? An abscess? So we need to get with Dr. Clueless (my name not hers lol) and make sure the scheduled surgery is appropriate (rhetorical question)."

I knew she was just talking out loud but I couldn't help it, said "yes, that would probably be a good idea." Though I had a smile on my face when I did. I know that none of those people caused the problem, they can't control it, and they can't fix it.

What I can and am doing is remind them to talk with each other. I've been doing what I can and should all along without knowing it, but with a lot of frustration. Well, I just found serenity.

Bureaucracy is right. I can't fight it but I can work with it

mooselips

Chino,
Mr. Moose has had alot of medical issues lately, and I found that you have to follow behind the majority of the medical personnel to get answers and make sure the correct thing is being done.

MHO, but, I believe (being a retired R.N.) is that it is a down-sizing of staff,
everywhere,
or just poor work habits.


One hand doesn't know what the other is doing....

marle

Prayers for some competence for those professionals and continuing serenity for you Chino. Hugs, Marle

Chino

moose, you are so on the money.

I spoke with a friend who is the admin for the IT department at a large hospital in TX. I told him the light bulb went on when the nurse, after the last phone call, told me she had to remind both surgeons to check their email.

All hospital personnel can access a patients records but because of HIPAA, certain areas are off limits. That's good and bad. The cashier doesn't need to see the results of my daughter's CT scan, but the other surgeon does. HIPAA allows only the doctor who ordered it to get the results, then he can share it. If someone has a day off or been in surgery all day long, they won't get it until they log on. Might be midnight or 4am, who knows?

My friend told me it's complicated even more because the notes are only as good as the person doing data entry. He said at least half of their IT calls are due to incompetence and software/computer illiteracy. A doctor, nurse, or lab tech thinks they've entered something but might forget to hit submit or enter. He said he gets at least 6 calls a week because a mouse has come unplugged.

If my daughter were seeing a personal physician, his/her staff would be expected to take care of all the details. But a hospital clinic is a whole different story.

Anyway, they called back and said for her to come in prepared for surgery tomorrow, though it may not happen since the surgeons still needed to get together and compare notes.

Crazy!

outtolunch

I was teary-eyed with laughter when I read your original post. It's a classic cascade.

Your daughter is fortunate to have you as an advocate.

Done_With_It

How is she doing? God love her (and you).
I think of her often, and say a prayer.

I am glad to hear you are helping her with the
hosp. process.
When I was in Cedars-Sinai world known hosp.
my Mom had to stay on top of them like butter
on toast.

And she just went through the same frustrations
with my grandma being in the hospital.
If you don't stay on top of some of those doctors, etc...
I tell ya....

Much love out to you both...

Latte

Two words-military medical.

I feel your pain.

Venting always makes me feel a little better.

Chino

Your post reminded me last night to seek more opportunities for laughter, thank you. You also reminded me to stay diligent with including my daughter in everything, since it's about her not me. I learned everything I know about navigating hospitals starting from my first visit at 14. I paid attention to everything that went on between my parents and the medical staff. My daughter tries to pay attention but during those times she's been in terrible pain and withdrawals, her attention has been focused elsewhere.

Ms. Done, she's doing pretty well and just taking everything one day at a time. We've both learned the hard way there really is no other way. Thank God for recovery programs!

Latte, I can't imagine how crazy it must be with military facilities and procedures. There has to be 20 times more paper work and that just blows my mind.

My daughter asked me what I'm going to do when I no longer need to help her. For years and years I did volunteer work with senior citizens before I took a break, and I'm ready again so I made a phone call. I'm headed to the VA hospital when/if she's given final clearance next month.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers during all of this

Blackrose56

I can certainly relate to medical snafus. I just came out of the hospital where one doctor had NO clue what the other one was doing. I finally said "enough", took my test results and took them to my OWN pulmonary specialist. He was amazed at some of the tests they ran knowing my other medical conditions. It does take perseverence and sometimes just laughing....or venting.

rozied

Chino, You are so right when you said if you have your own dr its easier than when its the clinic. I remember when I was 27 & had lost my BC & BS & the dr didn't know it, Pushed me off to the clinic where nothing was ever done properly. They walked into my room at 5am Monday am telling me I was having surgery yet noone had even told me the results of my Myelogram. It was awful.
Hoping things get straightened out for your daughter.
Love,
Diane