Advice about ER visit yesterday

[designgyrl]

I was thinking today about writing up an informal letter about what happened to me yesterday at the ER and the fact that the doctor didn't examine all of me.  I had told him my head and my ears were hurting and he never looked at etiher one of them, I asked him questions about migraines to which he shrugged his shoulders and completely blew me off, and then the other thing was that I sat in the room for over 2 hours without seeing anyone.  They put me in a room and there were only 3 patients and I sat there for over two hours, which I find unacceptable.  Finally a nurse came in and put an iv in me after I had to call her and tell her I was throwing up in the sink and on the floor since they didn't even bother giving me an emesis basin.  I also was going to write down about how my blood pressure was exactly the same when they sent me home, that I was running a fever and was told it wasn't a fever, and also I have this lump on my stomach that is now pussing stuff out of it, but I couldn't even get the doctor to take a look at that.  What do you guys think.  I do know the nurse took my blood pressure twice and said she needed to talk to the doctor, she then came back and was said nothing.  Normally my blood pressure runs 110/ 70.  Also my pulse rate was in the 115's which wasn't good either.  Anyway, I've been thinking about this and was wondering if any of you think I should write down how I was treated and how I tried to talk to him about my head hurting and how he backed away from me and stood in the corner and didn't bother to even examine me.  And then he made that terrible comment about how it was Sunday and everyone feels that they have to come in here to be seen for whatever reason, and my friend Reggie and I were shocked on how he said it because he was extremely unprofessional and rude about it.  Let me know what you all think?

[designgyrl]

Alison, Totie, Bree, Tuck, Jamie, Sara, Don't understand, Pat, Melissa,

This is a week for me to have a lot of dr. appointments as I have one tomorrow too and then the GI one on the 30th.  So, what I'll do is see my primary doctor tomorrow and have him look at it.  It just looks like the size of maybe a dime, and it looks like it has a little hole in the middle of it and a little bit of stuff has come out.  It's sore though and hurts, I thought about putting heat on it, but since I'm not sure what it is, I'm just going to wait until tomorrow and then ask the doctor.  If he doesn't know I can always ask the GI doctor on the 30th.  

[optimus22mac]

Karen, because I've been through it, I really think you need to have the incision site looked at.  The drainage could be minor now, but get much worse if not treated.  My infection--that was most likely given to me in the OR-- did not really visibly look bad until abt 2 weeks post-op.  I had some drainage up until that point, but then the drainage started looking like pus.  You need to have a culture done JUST IN CASE.  With all the other symptoms you have, I cannot believe they did not test you for an infection at the ER.  Did they know abt your recent surgical procedures? Your fever is going up, and you are feeling horrible.  Usually a fever with all the other symptoms means you need antibiotics.  Please call the surgeon, or really any of your doctors and ask about the incision site!
I do think that when you are feeling better, you may change your mind about writing that letter.  If you were treated in a substandard way, then many others are receiving the same substandard care.  I really do believe you should write the letter when you are feeling better---you can even write it anonymously.  If you are going to contest the ER charges, then a letter would be to your benefit...to show that immediately after you left, you knew you had not been taken care of.  
I know you are having a really hard, sad day, and I want you to know that I am thinking of you.  You are in my prayers...xoxoxoxo, Alison

[Totie]

That white stuff coming out may mean an infection.....

Sounds like an abscess of some kind...you need antiboitics for that.

[designgyrl]

Tuck, no I didn't mention it before because I just now noticed it on Sunday.  It doesn't appear to be much of anything, it's right at the incision site and looks like a pimple that has a hole in the middle of it and I've had a little bit of stuff coming out of it.  I think I'm just over reacting.  I did take my temperature this morning and still am running a fever of 102.3 so I'm not sure if I'm just sick, or what but I'm off today for another doctor appointment for my pain management doctor, it's a follow up appointment and I'll have him take a look at it and see what he says.  I've decided it's not worth my time to write a letter on how I was treated.  As you've mentioned they won't really do anything and the fact that I may need them in the future makes me want to just rack it up.  I do, however, feel like I should not pay the ER bill and once that comes through I will make some phone calls.  I don't feel that I should have to pay 100.00 for the treatment that I received, so we will see.  Thanks everyone for responding.  

[Tuckamore]

How are you feeling today? Did you see your PCP? If so what did he conclude was going on with you?

If it will make you feel better to write a letter to the administrator than you should do so by all means. You actually paid for a physician to treat you rudely.

I am going to play devils advocate here. An ER is obligated to treat life threatening or emergency situations. These include allergic reactions, MVAs, heart attacks,  hemorrhaging, kidney stones and so on. Their purpose is to repair and treat to stable or stability. They do not view themselves as an after hours clinic. So once their assessment reveals that you are not in an emergency or life threatening situation they will most likely discharge you. As cruel as it sounds, it's basically the rule.

You have every right to log a complaint. The administrator will agree with you and apologize for good PR purposes.. But sadly in the scheme of things nothing will happen....and nothing will change. I apologize if that upsets you. Its just my opinion and I have been wrong before and I hope I am wrong again. This is not a rare occurrence. That doesn't make it right.

What is most concerning is the "lump" that I don't recall you mentioning last night. The one that is now draining. Is it at a scope site? How much is it draining? Did you call your PCP or surgeon today and let him know about this new development? If not please do. Are you still running a temp? I would hate to think they they missed an infection.  If they did than your letter will carry more weight.

Write that letter. It may make you feel better about the entire situation. Again I am concerned about the "lump" that is draining. Please have that looked at asap.  

Peace,
~Tuck

[jamlws]

Like I told you over the phone you really need to make sure you write the letter because he should not of treated you this way and it wasn't right. I don't care if it was Saturday night he should of never made that comment about how everyone has to come to the ER on Sunday. Heatlh problems don't wait for a good time for the dr to happen. I don't see how others can be treated like this and not do anything about it.
When you go into a ER and get treated like that it is a big shock, doctors are suppose to have hearts.
My blood pressure goes up when I am in alot of pain. I don't understand how they could let you leave there with a fever and your blood pressure so high. Maybe writing this letter will give you some answers. If anything maybe the dr will get looked into.
My thoughts will be with you tomorrow.
Jamie

[designgyrl]

I think what I forgot to tell you when I got there my blood pressure was like 156/96, and then when I left my blood pressure was 154/90.  I was there for five hours and my blood pressure did not go down at all, I felt a little uneasy with 101.6 and 154/ 90 when I normally run 110/ or so for my normal blood pressure.  I don't feel they took anything I said seriously and they didn't take my headache seriously at all, but then why would I have an elevated blood pressure like that.  Doesn't pain cause blood pressure to go up?  That's what I've heard before and they didn't seem to care at all so I am going to write a letter about how they knew they were sending me home with a fever and high blood pressure and said absolutely nothing.  The doctor didn't even come back in to check on me to make sure I was ok.  The nurse just came in took the iv out and basically kicked me out.  It was great times.

[dontundertand]

Absolutely. Goes back to you pay for a service. You received horrible service! Please be sure to call your surgeon!

[Sarajmt]

You're doing the right thing. Write that letter and please! let your surgeon and GP know about your problems.  That is not good to happen.  Melissa and Opus gave you good advice.  I am so sorry you're having these problems.  You should never have been treated in that manner.

[JadedSweetheart]

Definetly write them a letter.  I did after my last visit to the ER.  I was treated awfully and in so much pain and they just wanted to give me an anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxer and send me home.  It was dinner time and I had my daughter and husband with me.  Terrible.  I wrote a letter to the ER Administrator and he called me back as soon as he got it and agreed that the ER staff acted strangely and wrongly.
Really it's the biggest reason I am so afraid to go back.  Even with pain that I can hardly stand I'm so worried, and my husband is convinced, that they would treat me badly again and just make it all worse.  Especially with me being pregnant.  
Sorry to go on about myself.
I really think you should write to the person in charge of the ER and tell them what happened.  Hopefully they will do something about it.  The whole situation with you was handled impoperly.

[opus88]

I agree with Melissa, you had a right to be treated much better than you were, esp since you recently had surgery, all the vomiting and now the draining from your incision. You do need to contact your surgeon or GP.
best to you dear....♥

[melissaky]

Karen I absolutely think you should write the hospital and let them know about how you were treated .The way they did you is totally unacceptable and I am sure they would be glad to know about it .You are having pus come out of your incision ? That doesn't sound good .Have you called your surgeon about this ? You should let him know .You may have an infection which would explain a lot of the problems you have been having .You have been through so much with this .As for the hospital thing I would write them .
take care
melissa