Local hospital wows....

First off, I'm OK for the most part...

This past weekend, I'd been having some chest pains. I've been down this road more then a few times, and it always winds up being gastro related. On return home from work Tuesday, I had a bad day, and it didn't fit a gastro issues I've had in the past. Had Cindy run me up to the ER at 5:45pm. Was brought back to triage within minutes. Not being in cardio crisis, I was sent to wait in the waiting area, which I don't find unreasonable. I was brought back to have a doc see me at 10:30pm. While I don't claim to know what's going on behind the scene, I found this to be a bit much, which was reinforced by the admission lady who came out and apologized to those still waiting moments before I was taken back.

Cardio doc examines me after another EKG. Comparing the latest, and the one from triage, he didn't like what he saw, stating I had a minor heart attack. He gave me the option to stay, or go home and see a cardio doc as soon as I could get an appointment. I opted to stay, and sent Cindy home. Ten minutes later, another cardio doc comes in, says I didn't have a heart attack, and I could leave, or stay for observation. I aired on the side of caution, wanting to have the three blood screenings as the first guy suggested. I'm told I'd be moved to a holding room, and admitted.

Fat forward to 7:00 this morning. A bad night with little sleep on a stretcher in the same holding room. Nurse tells me they were getting a room ready for me, and would be admitted shortly... New cardio dock shows up shortly after, seas he wants to do a stress test, which wasn't spoken of, but I expected it to go that rout. Said he had it scheduled for an hour from then. Fast forward three hours, still in the same room, and no tests done yet. I call nurse in, and question the situation. In a somewhat pissy tone, nurse tells me the doc shouldn't have given me a time, and they would get down to get me asap. She mentioned it's not unusual for people to get up and leave because of having to wait for extended periods when I asked why I hadn't been admitted yet.

Around 11:00 they come to bring me for the stress test and echo cardiogram. Go through both, but they couldn't get my heart rate high enough... likely due to the blood pressure meds from the night before. So, we're now doing a chemical stress test. Doc says that so far everything came back perfect, and as long as the cem test was good, I'd be released. Do the first part, with the second due in about another hour. Keep in mind, I haven't eaten since noon the day before. Once the first part was done, they said I could finally eat, and would send me back to the ER to wait for the second part of the test. Once back in the ER, I rang the nurse, and asked for something to eat. Told me I couldn't eat till after they have the results. I told her they gave me some juice, gram crackers, and a coke already. I'll look into it she says, and walks off. 40 minutes later, she shows with a plate of food.

The come and get me, doe the second part of the test, and bring me back to the ER once again, around 3:30. Around 4:45, a women comes in and starts asking questions. I answered them, and asked why all the basic questions. We're admitting you she says. I asked why, having not seen the doc or news of the test results, and having been told I would be released if the test came back normal. Al I know if I have an order to admit you. I came close to loosing it, but calmly told her I wanted to see a doctor involved in my case before I agreed to being admitted. I called Cindy, and told he to come over. A little after 5:00 a nurse comes in, and asks what the issue is. I explained it all again, stating I had no symptoms since shortly after arrival, and all test came back ok thus far, and were only waiting on the last test.

If anything had come back with bad results, I would have no problem staying another night if put in a room with an actual bed, and restroom. The nurse leaves, and at around 6:00 and male nurse shows up. He says he got a scrip and release order, all my tests came back good, and no reason for me to stay any longer. Needless to say, I got out of there as fast as I could.

My head is still spinning from the past 24 hours. I'm not happy to say the least.

If it were you, would you be a bit pissed ? Would you write a letter / email to the hospital admin expressing your complete displeasure with the experience ?

There are about 1000 things wrong with your experience Pete. I hate that you had to go through that. My Dad got similar treatment back last December. Turned out he was having a massive coronary. If the staff had been doing their jobs, he might have survived it. Some of the BS you describe is just ridiculous. One caution - a stress test is not foolproof. I've seen countless times where a stress test didn't show anything, but a cardiac catheterization showed major blockages. The ONLY real diagnostic for coronary artery disease is a cardiac cath. If you have a repeat of those kinds of symptoms I might consider asking about whether that would be wise (particularly if you have any family cardiac history at all). And I would find another hospital to go to - after you write your letter that is). Sending good thoughts your way brother.

That's bull****, I'd be making heads roll. I've had some horrible experiences at the hospitals here, which they claim to be among the best in the region or country or some bs, but nothing to the level you're describing. I guess next time I get the shaft, I'll just remember it could be worse.

The thing about hospitals, is there is so much chaos behind the scenes that we don't know about, so that's understandable. But the scale of which you're describing, that seems far beyond reasonable. But you were right to be cautious. My former employer's son went to be seen at age 35 because he didn't feel good. They ran a few tests, and a second doctor came in and said the first doctor was doing too many tests, and sent him home saying it was gastrointestinal. No lie, they sent him home with the order to take a dose of Pepto and some Tums. He went home, did as the doc said, and died. He was having a massive heart attack inside the hospital, and those ****s told him to go take Pepto and Tums.

His wife and kids made out huge in the lawsuit, they were awarded the max at the time for negligence/malpractice, which then was something like $2.5 million, but I'm sure they much rather would have had their father and husband.

Going to a hospital is great when you're worried it might be serious, because just going will calm you down a lot. But when they screw up, you're sometimes better not going at all and taking your chances in some situations. It's a catch 22 for sure.

Good news is, you're doing ok. Be thankful for that, and hope you never have to go back and be treated like that again.

I was hoping for your opinion being this is kind of your AO. Didn't know the circumstances of your dads passing, and don't have the words brother...

2010 had me in the hospital for the same situation. They sent me home, and was having pains in less then 12 hours. Had the cath done the next day, and all was good. A lot can change in three years, so I plan on following up with a heart specialist, and my gastro doc.

That's unacceptable. Write a letter. I'll ask my wife who she thinks it's best to address it to since she works in a hospital tomorrow and let you know.

Really glad you are OK man. Scary stuff. And your scenario is definitely one you need to report.

tshile said:

That's unacceptable. Write a letter. I'll ask my wife who she thinks it's best to address it to since she works in a hospital tomorrow and let you know.

Click to expand...

You write a letter like that, it needs to go to the CEO or the President of the health system.

MikeSr619 said:

And make sure you keep a copy of it so you can send it to the local news and/or website so it WILL get noticed.

I hope you are good, brother. Keep on fighting the good fight!

Click to expand...

Yeah, where I live the local news would eat that kind of stuff up.

I need to talk to my wife tonight. There's quite a few people in the organization that should receive a copy of whatever letter you wind up sending.

Thank you all for the well wishes, and input. Actually got into my regular doc today to get a plan of attack to follow up with. Saddly, all they keep hearing from others is people would rather take a chance of death before going to that hospital. Set to see the cardiologist who did the cath in 2010, my regular gastro doc, and have a lung capacity test with my regular doc who is a pulmonary specialist along with being a GP. Pretty much have the bases covered.

I'm going to work tomorrow, as I'm pretty confident it's a gastro problem. Had some pasta tonight, and had pains withing a minute or so.

Miles,
Wife says to send a letter to both the CEO and the CNO/CNE (chief nurse officer or executive, different places use different titles.) you can get their contact information by calling the main number.

That is if you're still interested after learning how bad it is

Hope you get it all figured out

tshile said:

Miles,
Wife says to send a letter to both the CEO and the CNO/CNE (chief nurse officer or executive, different places use different titles.) you can get their contact information by calling the main number.

That is if you're still interested after learning how bad it is



Hope you get it all figured out

Click to expand...

Thanks. Futile more then likely, but I'll be letting somebody know about my displeasure.

Better late than never, but I'm glad all is okay... glad you are following up. I had an experience back in the 90s right after my husband died where I got short of breath easily. My doctor called it "panic attacks". I found my OWN cardiologist, one I trusted from reputation, and I was in the cath lab within a week with 3 stents and congestive heart failure. Needless to say I changed doctors. Today I'm 200+ pounds lighter, and haven't had any issues since.

But what you went through was TOTALLY ridiculous. Any hospital I've worked in, been in, always err on the side of caution when it comes to anything possibly cardic-related. You need to write SOME sort of letter to anyone who will listen including the media.

That's my 2 cents for what it is worth.

Glad you're doing ok, Pete and will keep you in my prayers. Boone sorry to hear about your dad...will also keep you in my prayers.

Early this year we (Dad and I) had to take my mom to ER. We took her via ambulance, since have heard you get better and quicker attention if go by rescue squad. She was taken back quickly, but then things went to a snails pace. We got there about 1PM and she finally got a room around 10:30 PM. My dad said you need an advocate any time you go to hospital this day and time.

On a humorous side....several years ago my father had a heart cath one morning and cardiologist said I will be in to see you this afternoon. Time passed and about 8PM the doctor came in to see my dad and said everything looked ok, removed the cath, and said he would be released in the morning. The doc then asked him if he had any questions. My dad said I have just one, which doctor said what? My dad started that he was just a simple country boy and misunderstood him. Dad said you told me you were coming by this afternoon, which in my understanding afternoon ends at 6 thus afterwards is the evening. He said now if you had to emergency surgery than I understand. Dad then said doc let me tell you my time is just as valuable as yours. Plus it is just as easy to be on time as it is late. The doctor apologized and said I will be in first thing in morning to release you. Dad said what time? Doctor said before lunch. After he left the nurse told dad she has never seen anyone tell the doc the way it was.
The doctor did come in next morning around 10:30 to release him.

Just a quick update.... Three doctor visits down, and I'm fine. Heart like a plow horse

Thanks again for caring, I've always said many here are extended family.

God bless...

Great news!