WRITTEN COMPLAINT or NOT ?

[Taffy]

Hi All, some may have read my post on mum's fall, briefly, mum fell in the hospital car park I was taking her to see dad before his transfer. Mum ended up in E&A and the Dr who seen her felt that she hadn't broken anything she was just bruised no xrays were ordered ( It was extremely busy) mum was released back to the care home and she was to be watched and reviewed in a day or two by the resident Dr and given pain relief as needed. This was Wednesday afternoon. Early Thursday I went and checked on mum she was getting around, but, clearly favouring her shoulder and you could tell her leg was sore by the way she was walking. She had no memory of the fall and thought she must have bumped her arm or someone may have thumped her, this isn't unusual for mum. Friday, mum seemed a little worse for wear and I expected that she would be as this usually happens a day or so later, your usually sorer. Saturday when I arrived she was helping the attendant clear the tables and it was clear that she wasn't doing to well she was confused and complained about her shoulder been very sore. I asked the attendant what pain relief she was on and horrified to be told NONE nothing had been written up and since there were no Rn's on duty on the weekend she couldn't have anything. ( I understand this from their position). I went to the chemist and brought Hiradoid for the bruising and panadol for her pain, so, along with my daughters help we seen that she had the panadol. The care attendant did rub her leg even though she wasn't suppose too, as it wasn't written up. Sunday mum wasn't well the bruise had spread from her thigh to her calf she was very confused and concerned that the chap that sweeps the courtyard might wallop me with his strawbroom, because, that was why her shoulder was so sore, he walloped her. I decided, even knowing that the home wouldn't be impressed I would take mum to her previous Dr surgery and her old GP was rostered on, he ordered xrays for to-day and I get the results tomorrow. I spoke with the Rn today at first she was very defensive and telling me how things were run there I let her go and I think she thought she had me bluffed until she made the error of saying 'There was nothing broken in the xrays'(WHAT XRAYS). Anyways in a nut shell I told her that they had failed in their duty of care. She came with me and examined mum she was aghast and apologised several times. Do I put a written report in or do I let bygones be bygones and closely monitor mum's care and no second chances. I feel like I'm running on empty, part of me says report this and part says give a second chance. Thanks for your time. Taffy. PS I have documented all this for future reference.

 

[Grannie G]

Taffy, report it.

It is a disgrace, it is neglect, and who knows that it hasn`t happened before.

You will not be reporting against any individual, so no one person will get in trouble. You will be reporting against a system that shows no respect for the elderly infirm.

This may help others in future.

My husband fell and was examined and Xrayed in A&E. The Xray showed a broken Humerus. The examining doctor was shocked at the result, embarrassed and very apologetic, as she`d examined him without any thought that his arm was broken.
He had only reported `a little bit of pain.`

Please update us with the Xray results.

 

[Margarita]

Do I put a written report in or do I let bygones be bygones and closely monitor mum's care and no second chances.

yes do a written report and still closely monitor your mother care .

I also so agree

It is a disgrace, it is neglect, and who knows that it hasn`t happened before.

 

[DeborahBlythe]

Hello Taffy. I agree with Sylvia and Margarita. I also think, however, that the hospital was to blame for not X-raying your mum when she was in. I think the home will say that they took their lead from the hospital. If the hospital didn't think there was anything wrong, why should they get worked up? It doesn't excuse them from not being observant and caring properly for your mum, but it possibly explains why they couldn't be bothered, in the first instance. A convenient excuse. I'd want to write to the hospital too, especially when you know what the X-rays reveal today.
Best wishes to you both, love Deborah

 

[Grannie G]

Sorry Taffy, I must clarify what I meant.

I feel formal complaints should be sent to both the hospital and the care home.

To the hospital for neglecting to Xray your mother, and to the care home for lack of care when it was obvious she was uncomfortable, and failure to keep up to date records

 

[Taffy]

Dear Sylvia, Margarita and Deborah,

Thanks for the replies and I will file a complaint. Today I picked up the xrays, results as follows.
SHOULDER No fracture is identified. There is AC joint degeneration. Subacromial space is completely lost and there is a large subacromial spur, rotator cuff impingement is likely to be present.
CXR There is no significant lung or pleural abnormality. CTR is slightly increased (149/270). There is no evidence of failure. Mediastinal and hilar contours are within normal limits. There is a moderate thoracic scoliosis convex to the right. Bone mineralisation is reduced. There is severe compression deformity at approximately T12. This is of indeterminate age.
Hip No recent fracture is identified. Lumbar spine degeneration is noted.

Today mum complained her shoulder was still sore. I photographed her bruises.
They have now written up pain relief. I was told that mum would not be given the pain relief indefinitely, it's like they are insinuating that it isn't necessary, but, they'll pacify me. This ticked me off. Someone must of given mum a good going over as they told me a lesion on mum's leg needed to be seen by the Dr and they would organize that. I said it's not the bruise is it. You are so right the hospital should have xrayed mum and also written up pain management. The care home definitely failed in their duty of care. I will get a written reply to my complaint and I guess it will be like their glossy brochures all hogwash. I'll keep you informed of their reply. I'm not quite sure what I am going to do I need to think long and hard. Regards. Taffy. PS. Also got a copy of the discharge letter and it was requested that mum be seen in a day or two by a Dr .

 

[elaineo2]

Hi Taffy,Sorry to hear what has happened,i agree that this is aneglect situation.The home could clearly see your mum was in pain and did nothing.Why on earth was'nt an on call G.P callled or the paramedics for that matter,they were obviously taking the word of the hospital and watching her suffer.Makes my blood boil.Saying that so do G.Ps sometimes.We have a lady in the home i work in who was complaining of arm and shoulder pain.She visited the G.P who said it was arthritis and gave her pain relief.A few days later this lady was complaining again of the same thing.I got a G.P appointement for her the same day,and luckily for her she saw a locum.He sent her for an X-Ray.The X Ray showed a fracture.But get this!Her ususal G.P rang the home ranting and raving at us that it had been fractured for at least a week and that she should have been seen earlier!We were a bit bemused by this time.Perhaps he felt overshadowed by the Locum who actually wanted investigations doing whils he passed it off as arthritis!Hope you and mum and dad are well.take care love elainex

 

[Margarita]

Someone must of given mum a good going over as they told me a lesion on mum's leg needed to be seen by the Dr and they would organize that.

Did that not happen when your mum fall over in car park '' lesion on leg'' as I wonder what you mean when you say

Someone must of given mum a good going over

 

[Taffy]

Hi Elaine,
Thanks for your reply. I am going to file a complaint and as I have never every filed a written complaint about anything before I would like to discuss it with the dementia support coordinator on Friday, as he works from the hospital concerned and dementia care is his field. I don't want my reply to be a emotional one, I want it to be direct and covering all the facts. I get such good advise on TP and the coordinator is very knowledgeable and also from the UK. I'm confident he will point me in the right direction. The points you raised, I want answers too. I am realistic and things will be twisted and there will be buck passing and I'm sure I'll come into the equation somewhere, just like in the case you mentioned. Dr's must be the only profession that bury their mistakes. Regards Taffy.

 

[Taffy]

Hi Margarita,
Sorry that my wording was confusing when I said 'Someone must have given mum a good going over' I meant and should have said, that for the staff to have noticed this lesion on mum they must have checked her over after I complained about mum receiving no treatment. The Rn was surprised when she seen the bruise. I am going to try to attach a photo of mum's leg and you can see the bruise and lesion, maybe, the fall burst something behind the lesion and raised it, I'm not sure. The lesion itself looks like a flat wart and round in shape. Here goes I'll try and attach the photo. I know how to email the photo, but, would need a email address. Taffy.

Margarita, I couldn't send photo reason stated: your file of 722.5 KB bytes exceeds the forum's limit of 293.4 KB for the file type. I'm Bamboozled now!

 

[Skye]

Taffy, just caught up with your thread, and I agree that a formal complaint to both hospital and care home are in order.

If you want to post your photo, Bruce has given instructions for resizing picture here:

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/talkingpoint/discuss/showthread.php?t=2599

Love,

 

[Margarita]

was just going to say that you have to make photo smaller to put on hear , but sky said it

 

[Taffy]

Dear Hazel & Margarita, thanks for that information I'll see if I can do the resizing. Regards Taffy.

 

[Taffy]

If you want to post your photo, Bruce has given instructions for resizing picture here:

Here goes with the resizing. UP-DATE... Mum was seen by the homes doctor today he has booked her in for the lesion to be removed next Thursday. She has also a appointment to see a orthopaedic surgeon on the 17th of Oct to discuss surgery on her shoulder. And pain relief has been drawn up. Regards Taffy.

 

[Grannie G]

Only one word for that Taffy.....shocking. I`m so sorry you are having all this worry.

 

[Margarita]

God yes now that is shocking .

And pain relief has been drawn up.

Glad to hear that it does look painful , let alone to shoulder, one hell of a fall your poor mum must of had.

 

[Skye]

Taffy, just seen your photo. That is a spectacular bruise, your poor mum.

How is she now?

 

[Taffy]

How is she now?

Dear Magarita and Hazel,
Mum's thigh isn't giving her much trouble, but, the shoulder is very painful she has very limited movement she has to wait until the 17/10/07 before she can see the specialist. Orthopaedic specialist are hard to get into and any procedures that needs doing, you are usually on a long waiting list. Mum asked my daughter yesterday, when she visited if she could take her to the butcher so he could saw it off. So sad!. Mum has the lesion removed on Thursday so I'll get to talk with the Dr about the situation. Take Care. Taffy.

 

[Skye]

Mum asked my daughter yesterday, when she visited if she could take her to the butcher so he could saw it off. So sad!.

That's so sad, Taffy. Your mum must be in so much pain. I do hope you can get an earlier appointment for her.

Love,

 

[elaineo2]

Hi Taffy,how are you and yours?I have been away for the weekend and am just catching up.That bruise is horrendous.My word didn't she go down with a bang!I do hope you are lodging the complaint,how can someone be in so much pain and nothing be done?love to you all.elainex