Wilgeheuvel Life Hospital - Casualty Stay Absolute Nightmare

<p>Date: 25 January 2017</p> <p>Time admitted: 11:30</p> <p><br />After about a month of dealing with pain and swelling in my abdominal region, I had made an appointment to see a Gynae which is only next week, basically I have been dealing with this pain for almost 3 weeks now. I was then forced to go seek medical attention at the local private hospitals casualty department.</p> <p><br />I drove myself to Casualty and requested a doctor look and see where the pain is coming from.</p> <p><br />I was checked by Triage and marked as Yellow, I didn’t actually have to wait too long and was taken through to be observed.</p> <p>Waiting in the available bed where the doctor would see me. Doctor did see me and requested an IV be put in for pain and that I go for scans and x-rays as well as urine sample.</p> <p><br />Time for the nurse to put the IV up. I am well educated with how this should be done. The pain was okay, however getting it in was a mission.</p> <p>the use used two Needles, first one didn’t even touch my skin however she was busy pondering which vein to pierce, she then went for another needle, not sure how that would help.. It was then placed in my vein, the nurse unfortunately didn’t prepare the dressing beforehand so ended up, letting go of the needle in my hand (white piping) and continue to prep the dressing, in return the “needle” came out of my vein and she noticed and pushed it back in, causing my blood to go absolutely everywhere, on the chair, the floor and all over my hand. The dressing was “put on” and the Nurse decided it wasn't good enough so went for another dressing pack and this time, again not learning from the first ordeal didn’t prep before she took the existing dressing off. This time she used one hand and her mouth to take the backing off the dressing.</p> <p><br />Not the best looking dressing for someone that really is not a high risk case i.e.: gunshot or accident to have such a rush job done. Attached are images taken during the process.</p> <p> <br />I was then given Paracetamol through the IV and another shot of pain****ers in the IV, around 15 minutes after this was administered I had to go to Radiology, so the Pain****ers were turned off.</p> <p> <br />Off I went to Radiology in the wheelchair, first was x-rays which was fine which was around 14:00. Then I had to go and get the abdominal sonar done. Knowing I emptied my bladder in Casualty, they couldn’t really see much, so had to get taken outside by the waiting area and drink around 1.5L of water, around 1.25 hours later I was ready to go get scanned. So lets say that its around 15:00. No pain****ers yet.</p> <p><br />I then wait for the porter to take me back to Casualty. My meds that are attached to the IV are lying on the chair next to me, she says pick them up, I then handed them to her to hang up, nope she said keep them on your lap. So off I go holding my own meds. Taken to Casualty, my previous bed is not available, which is absolutely understandable. I get taken to the second “unit” bed, I get there, she says get up and wait here for the doctor and leaves me there. Firstly the bed has been used by a previous patient and the linen has not been changed and I am left to hold my medication in my hand, I have attached photos of this. The casualty nurse then eventually came to see me and said “Ah, she left you here?’ umm yes, and surely there should be some sort of process for this as it is something that happens at hospitals all the time. My casualty nurse eventually did apologise for the disgusting behaviour of the porter. I then complained to the Casualty Doctor who responded saying “Sorry, we are busy” umm, again this is casualty so it is the normal thing that happens and clearly this is not my problem, all patients should be treated equally.</p> <p> <br />I am then left on the bed with a blanket as I was cold. The doctor has stated that they are waiting for my radiology results before anything is done.</p> <p>About 45 minutes, they ask how I am feeling, well still the same.. I then request them to check the IV and make sure it is running… Well, well not to my surprise it wasn’t running. So I have been sitting here with no pain****ers at all. Around 15 later results come in and I get discharged. Still feel pain and worse than what I went in for due to the stress of the day and the unbelievable behaviour of the staff members. No pain****ers that I am sure I will pay for, the 2 IV replacements that I will pay for yet it isn’t my issue.</p> <p> <br />I then want to leave, no, there is a cash component that needs to be paid even though I am on MEDICAL AID and this hospital is part of my Medical Aids Associated Hospitals. Almost R950 I need to pay before I can leave, this is over and above the visit to casualty, this is to see a doctor for 15 minutes.</p> <p><br />While I was waiting in the waiting room, there was a lady with a young daughter who possibly broke her ankle, she couldn’t get x-rayed because of this payment authorisation issue, she also has medical aid and had to go to a state hospital because they would not help her daughter.</p> <p><br />Firstly, where are the staff getting trained and are they actually qualified and managed at the hospitals.</p> <p>We pay medical aid yet we can’t get adequate health care. Medical aid should be there to make our lives less stressful yet the hospitals are the ones ****ing us.</p> <p><br />I will NEVER go back to this “hospital” again, never recommend a friend to go there, if need be I will travel further for better care. This is also not the first incident at this hospital, last year my 5 year old daughter was passing out from a fever 39 degrees celsius and apparently the Casualty Doctor said he will be with her when he is ready…</p> <p><br />What is going to be done about this? There are too many instances that people don’t act and these hospitals get away with this type of service.</p> <p> <br />I refuse to let this go, the treatment, the ignorance and the oh well behaviour is unfathomable</p> <p><br />I look forward to your response.</p>