Post Hospitalization Care Posted: 12-16-03 13:51pm
This is my first time posting. My
step-father fell a few weeks ago and tore
his lung and broke his nose. The tear in
his lung caused him to bleed internally.
While in the hospital, he was diagnosed as
a type ii diabetic. On thanksgiving he
was sent home - no one ever mentioned the
diabetes to any of us (only to him, once,
when he was medicated), no care
instructions were given and he was still
bleeding internally - which we were not
made aware of. He collapsed 3 days later
in the arms of my mother and my boyfriend
who were helping him to bed. We had to
have paramedics come and he returned to
the hospital. The care he has received
has been horrific. While in the hospital
the second time, he needed to be
recesitated because no one was monitoring
his oxygen levels. He was in icu for 4
days on a respirator and still remains in
the hospital on oxygen. They want to
discharge him now. He can't walk, he
can't eat - he's been immobile for 16 days
and they want to send him home. We can't
care for him the way he needs to be cared
for. He needs physical therapy and
general ambilitory care. We don't want to
put him into a nursing home. We would
like him to be home with some in-home care
for a couple of weeks to help him return
to his physical state before the fall.
He's not an old man - only 64. I need
help finding out where to start looking
for in-home care. Here's the clincher:
they have no insurance, he's not 65 until
july and medi-cal is pending but, not
definate. If you can help, please post
your reply. Thanks for listening.
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purple333
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 1420 Location: Sydney
Posted: 12-17-03 11:26am
While the system here in australia is
different the same basic things can &
do happen. I've been in situations like
this although not nearly as bad.
First i'd talk to your gp (local dr) &
see if you can get any help/suggestions of
starting points.
Next do you have what we call "community
centres" or "health centres" these sorts
of places are run by local, state &
federal government here & often have
lots of information or access to it that
we just don't know.
Last, doesn't the dr/hospital have what we
call "a duty of care"? Here that would
mean that if they release someone without
informing those who will be providing care
(the patient doesn't count unless he is
mentally aware/not medicated to reduce
mental alertness) of all od the needs e.G
diabetes & what's required plus the
internal bleeding. Further here I believe
that a dr/hospital could be sued for
failing to advise you of this & also
for releasing him without ensuring that
internal bleeding had ceased.
So talk to a lawyer about that (do you
have free legal advice centres where you
could get some initial information on this
without the risk of huge costs?).
|
kttylngshoes
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Dec 2003 Posts: 2 Location: California
Thank You Purple333 Posted: 12-17-03 11:48am
I appreciate your feedback.
Unfortunately, the doctor that was
assigned to our case has been less than
helpful. He is one of the major problems.
As for the legal aspect, we are certainly
looking into that. My original post was
just the tip of the iceberg concerning the
lack of medical attention they provided -
I could write a novel. Luckily, we have
documented it all. I think I will look
into wellness centers and care facilities
in the area. Thanks, again
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