Netcare operation terrible ordeal

Netcare operation such a terrible ordeal.

I will never go back to netcare Kingsway ever.

I was booked in yesterday 3 October for a Gallbladder removal operation as well as a Gastroscopy

When I arrived at the hospital the nurses took my blood pressure. It was 121/83 heart rate 63 bpm.

When I answered all the prep questions the anesthesiologist came to greet me. I specifically told her that they they struggle to get my veins to put in a drip. And she said that I should not worry they will get my drip in. I asked her for a pill to relax me because when I stress, they struggle even more to get my vein. She said that she will not get me something to relax me because it will not work. She said that I should just keep my arm warm.

I told her that I have sleep apnea and her answer were: Yes, you would have that. It was almost as if she was making a joke out of it. I asked her what she means ,and she said because you are so big (meaning fat) She did not discuss any contingencies or precautions on how to help me breathe after the operations while I was still sedated and under the influence of anesthesia.

I again reiterated that they usually struggle to get my vein. She said I should not worry they will get it easily.

The time came for the operation. I was wheeled in to the preoperation room. There the anesthesiologist started to try and insert a line into my vein on my right arm and hand this went on for a few minutes and it hurt emensly. I did tell her that there is a specific place on the top of my hand where they always get a vein, but she did not try at that specific spot. (this I explained to them SEVERAL times, and not once did they try at the spot I suggested, they ignored me flat)

Again, she tried for a second time. I said that it hurt a lot. She continued.

Then she proceeded to try on my left wrist. And she tried three or four times. She then moved to the top of my left hand. And when she went on and she pressed the needle in and out a few times with no results. Then them she proceeded in my right arm.

She said that she is going to have to get warm blankets for my right arm so that she could try there again later. After the blankets she tried my right arm then my right hand and again my right arm. There was a nurse there that put plasters on the sites where she tried to get a vein. She said we will have to get help from another doctor whose name I did not know, but it was not dr. Funcke. Already at this moment I started to lose faith in the doctors and nurses, and everyone involved.

She said we will have to do it then on the theatre table to get a line in for the procedure. I was wheeled into the operating room and I was told to get on the operating table.

Another anesthesiologist was asked to see if he can get a line into a vein. He proceeded With the help of a nurse he tried to get a vein but after several failed attempts he said that the veins were “bizarrely” difficult to find and that the veins were already damaged by the previous doctor, in certain areas so it would be difficult to get a vein because of soft tissue damage. While this was going on the first women anesthesiologist was still busy sticking needles into my other arm. Several times. And then the male anesthesiologist that the woman doctor asked to help, said it is terrible what is going on with them sticking holes in this patient and expecting him to just lie here and we walked out of the room

At one time someone said that they should get a mashine that detect veins and that would help. Nothing happened except more sticking with needles. Then they said they should try my feet and then they said they are going to administer gas and then hopefully they will be able to do something when I sleep. That is when my stress and concern started to increase even more. And they suggested without talking directly to me that they will then put a direct line into my main artery in my neck. That’s when I asked to stop the operation because this level of incompetence made me unsure and afraid that the rest of the operation will not be done correctly That’s when I got up from the table and wanted to leave. They got me a bed and doctor Funcke then came to explain that they would like to continue with the op and put a direct line in my neck to get the drip in. I declined and asked to be taken back to my room. If they can’t even get a vein when I’m awake, how will the procedure go when I’m sleeping??? In addition, nobody addressed my concerns about my sleep apnea after the operation

Back in the ward, the nurses came to ask me if I want to eat something and if they can give me a drip for pain. WHAT????????????????????????????????????????

We had to write on a form what happened and there I stated that the doctors did not know what they were doing and that I want to make sure that I will not be held responsible for any costs that occurred because of their incompetence

I think that there are more ways to try to get a vain like asking someone in the trauma unit to try or using a pediatric needle or use the machine that fines veins

I am bruised on both my arms and hands and my left wrist and were in immense pain yesterday and last night.

I will still have to go for this operation because it is an urgent op.

I’m writing this to report that the operation was not done, not because I didn’t want to do it, but because of the level of incompetence of the doctors and nurses involved

James M. Swift