Death Without Instructions

<p>St Lukes Hospice House was recommended by the rehabilitation Center my mother was being discharged from. Now the only reason we called them was because my mother required the use of an electric bed and wheelchair. This was the only way her insurance would pay for these home items. The rehab center never said that your mother is dying and she has xyz time left. Once hospice house completed Eval on myour mother their Eval stayed 6mos or more. So I never imagined she was actually In her final days. Weeks prior to her death she was home and the RN Lynentt was to come each Friday to assess her condition to see if she was ready to be admitted to hospice house. The last two weekends my mother had sever respiratory problems I called the 24hr no. and the RN walked me through using the comfort care medications. Now each time the RN came to the home she stated my mother was not ready to go to hospice house. We had requested that she pass at the hospice house and not at home. The last two weeks the RN Lynett never came to the house to assess my mother's condition. Looking back it appears they were going to have my mother expire at my home instead of honoring our previous request. The comfort care meds were not working and I had been informed that my RN would be in at 8 and will come out to the residence. The RN never showed up. I called 911 because the hospice house had never prepared my famIly for the signs that the time was near for her departure. When paramedics arrived they transported her to KU Medical. I called the 24 hr no. to hospice and Informed the person that I had called 911 since we have not heard from our nurse. She stated the nurse would be calling. Lynett finally called I told her to still come since the paramedics,had not arrived. After the paramedics arrived and transported my motheresume. My family took showers dressed and headed to hospital, our RN never showed up from the weekend calls,that were made. When we arrived at hospital she finally called again. And I informed her that we were at KU she said she was sending a rep over so we could sign a document to release hospice services for treatment. We were at KU from 10am to 9pm. They gave us mixed info about my mother's condition. They said they were going to admit her and put in a feeding tube. Once upstairs they **** and said,we,are sending her back to hospice and I was so distraught that the physician on call said we will keep her tonight and talk tomorrow about her care. They had no monitors,on her and when I asked why the RN on the floor asked had anyone provided me information about the signs of death. I told her no and she searched for the pamphlet they were out. The next morning my mother looked well rested and said she was hungry and asked for breakfast. They had given her steroids and she was looking better than she had In weeks. I informed the Dr's that her sisters were coming on tomorrow and the woman from. The hospice said,we have already given you a extra,day. Prior to her lying that they have seen patience get better,and go home. I asked the rep from hospice and KU Dr if my mother would receive the same steroids that they had provided her In the hospital they both said yes. So they had me sign the paperwork to return to hospice with no recessitation. I did because they promised she would receive the exact meds that she had been given that night in the hospital. When she wS transported to the hospice they did not provide her with the same medication and within days her body started to shut down. No one at hospice ever informed me that she was in her final hours. They continued to hide behind and half answer questions without ever,saying she's leaving if you have anyone to call that wants to be her. You may pray or is there something you want to do...it's time. A close friend called and asked the status and they told her she only had 30 minutes but never told the family that was their. The RN on her care stated that my mother had a,blood clot and they were keeping her propTed so it would not burst because that would be very messy. I informed the RN that her bloodclot was on the other side and that she was laying on the side the bloodclot was on. So she tried to change her position. She gave her another shot of morphine. We are keeping her comfortable and she wiped her mouth and some Brown secretion came out. She gave her another shot and 20 minutes later she took her last breath while the family was engaged in conversation. After the RN gave the time of death. She said I knew,it wouldn't be long when the brown secreation came out. I yelled why didn't you tell us...she said that you were,already here. I said we had a plan to pray and you never allowed us that chance. It was devastating . I would not use hospice service again. They basically decided it was time for my mother to leave. They started her process for death instead of allowing her to go naturally on her own. The Dr over the hospice was very rude when I called about her medications. She said I don't care who you call this is what we are doing. Nothing else can be provided. Just nasty...everyday my mother said she was so hunary they didn't want her to choke so she received nothing. This was the most uncaring service I have ever received. They were curt and did not provide the information needed to make this transition easy as possible. They continued to say they were sorry for my loss but it had no compassion In their attitude. Please do not use this place. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>