My hospital experience

[Carol Arnett]

I wouldn`t even bring this up except that everyone should be SUPER aware if they do have to be hospitalized.

The hospital I was in is considered one of the best in the area with connections to a couple of others.

There are signs everywhere about "wash your hands" and "foam in foam out".


When I was first admitted it was thought that I had C-diff. I was paired with an 83 year old woman who had just been diagnosed with Lymphatic cancer, which, BTW took her life in just 3 weeks after the diag.

I saw VERY little hand washing or foaming and had to remind them to do so. What if I HAD had c-diff?

Hand washing wasn`the only issue I faced. Once I sat on my Pic line hose and pulled it apart. The long part fell onto the floor. I rang for a nurse and an assistant came in and actually started to reconnect the two lines. I yelled no as loudly as my one working vocal cord would allow and she jumped back as if I had pulled a gun on her and said (What?). I said you can`t do that it has been on the floor. She said maybe she should get a nurse and of course, I aggreed.

Another time I was incontinent (bowels) while asleep. Needless to say, the bed was soaked....mostly water. By then I was using a bedside commode and while getting to that the soaked pad I was wearing fell to the floor. Not a pretty sounding scenerio, is it? An aide came when I called. I asked for help because I was totally exhausted. Her help consisted of bringing me a fresh gown and some Comfort Cloths...used instead of wash cloths and towels. I had to ask for a fresh pad for my bed.

I kept a bottle of Purel nd some rubber gloves on my nightstand so I cleaned myself up te best I could and then cleaned the floor with their Comfort Cloths. Not sanitary, just clean looking and smelling. I also used Purel and rubber gloves to clean the toilet seat in the bathroom every time I used it. Probably not enough but better than nothing. I kept thinking what if poor Emma, my roomie got what I had. It could have killed her before the cancer.

Another time I was standing at the sink and my Pic line came loose at the Hep Lock and part of it fell to the floor. Again...called a nurse, got an aide but this time it frightened her and she went running for a nurse. I was only concerned about the part that fell on the floor but the nurse was more concerned about the second line which was just beginning to spurt blood. Again, no hand washing and SHE, a nurse started to put it back together without sanitizing the line. By then I was ready to run away.

I almost forgot about the first instance. A nurse was trying to insert an IV line and in spite of all my efforts to keep hydrated, my veins were beginning to collapse. She was using my pillow that had come from home...a wonderful down one that Harry had saved to get me for Christmas...as a prop. Well, she got an artery instead ad blood was everywhere. My pillow was soaked, the floor, her clothes, bed, etc. She finally got the flow stopped and left it in place. Another nurse ca,e in and started the fluids and within seconds I was in such tremendous pain I didn`t think I could bear it. Nurse said something must be wrong. DUH!!!! She started out of the room to get some help and I had to ask her...well, actually demanded that she at least stop the fluids until they figured it out.

I have never been in jail but I wonder if it might be more sanitary than a hospital.

Didn`t intend for this to be a book, but patients beware. I kept thinking about people who were maybe comatose or not quite as aware as I was at the time. It is no wonder that super bugs are taking over, Tex.

Love, Carol

[tex]

Carol,

All I can say to that is "WOW!"

I think you're right about the hospitals posting signs everywhere about washing hands, etc., and then everyone from the doctors right on down to the cleaning staff, simply ignore the signs. I also think that you're right about most patients not noticing how bad things really are. Thinking back to when I had surgery almost three years ago, similar things happened, and I did notice that despite the signs, no one washed their hands, etc., but back then, I wasn't very concerned about things like that. Knowing what I know now, though, I think that I would be paying much closer attention to everything that happened, (to say the least).

Thanks for posting that. It's an eye-opener.

Love,
Tex

[Carol Arnett]

Thanks, Tex, I was afraid it was too long and drawn out but after reading your post about super bugs, I thought most of it worthwhile. I could have gone on day by day and told you something that happened each one.

Sigh, these things weigh on my daughter and she feels responsible for everyones actions, as a nurse. She is so conciencous it hurts her in many ways. Love. Carol

[tex]

A few months ago, Dee posted about visiting her sister in a hospital, where such signs were posted all around. I remember her mentioning that she had to remind the doctor to wash his hands, when he came into the room to examine her sister. It's a huge problem.

Your daughter should try to stop worrying about everyone else's mistakes, though - life is too short to worry about everyone else's behavior.

Love,
Tex

[JLH]

http://www.geocities.com/everwild7/noharm.html

I don't know who the person writing this is and if it is true or not but..........

Hospitals are very scary in this day and age.

[MaggieRedwings]

Morning Carol,

It sounds like they could make a horror movie out of your hospital stay. It is very scary what I have seen, heard and experienced while in hospitals. I think they would have to drag me there kicking and screaming. Do hope your health is getting better and you don't have to face "prison" again too soon.

Love, Maggie

[Gloria]

I went to an acute care center when I had double pneumonia two years ago. The doctor actually told me that I would be better off if I didn't go to the hospital to get better because of all the potential diseases that patients could contract. I decided to stay home and recuperate. Unfortunately with some ailments, you don't have that choice.

Gloria

[annie oakley]

Wow Carol!!! How scarey! I hope you are better. Hospitals scare me alot. My mother worked in one for years before going to a privet practice. So I know how careless they can be, saw it first hand. Get well, Love Oma

[Tessa]

Hi Carol

Most doctors forget to wash their hands... That´s true...

I am glad that you seem to be better now.

Take care,
Love,
Tessa