Medical rights violated - long sorry

I am a 5 years out, went to hospital march 27 and was bleeding internally . I told Dr's adn nurse that I was Gastric adn not to use NG tube had to have endocopy or an anthesiologist to insert tube! I was told I had no choice and the nurse sat me up , another nurse restrained me adn tried several times while I was yelling stop , no I cant do this and then shoved water in my mouth to make me swallow! No I am traumatized , violated adn now being seen fro panic attack and aniexty. Can not handle being held, drinking from awater bottle adn at times feel likem y necklace and clothing are choking me. I can t sleep or dream of what  happen. 

It even states in my record that I refused NG tube and I could not attempt several attempts!!!!!  The Nurse told me I had no choice I needed to have the tube inserted. They made me sit up and several nurses came in as I was yelling no, she put tube in my nose to my throat and I still was moving my head. I was then restrained me by holding my arm down and another nurse came in and shoved water in my mouth to force me to swallow the tube I again would not do it and even Nancy Rambacher said enough to stop!  The Nurse pulled tube out then I was bleeding from my nose, mouth and anus laying in bed. The nurse came in several times and argued with me to do the NG tube I told her no I can not do it she even made the comment I am not going to bust your pouch. She walked out . Then came back in a few mins later and said no I am not going to do it and she said well I guess you have the right to refuse. That is your medical right . Now an I can not find an attorney because they told me there is no money in it and I did not die...

I know my life was not taken, but my rights, dignity and emotional and mental states are currently an issue. It makes it hard to function at work if I have an attack and lack of sleep is not helping either. To me this is a form of physical abuse shoving water in ones mouth to swallow and forcing objects down them after repeatedly being told no, to stop, I cant do this. To me I was violated. I t is a form of rape but not sexually. NO mean NO! I strongly feel once  a patient gets in a hospital bed they have lost their right or knowledge according to staff.  So I did not die but there are thousand of Gastric Bypass patients out in Raleigh and surrounding areas and I want to make sure this does not happen to them either. I truly feel that my ER care and services was not in the best of care or provided according to Wake Meds goals, mission, vision or advertisement and their fees are outrages!! My insurance is also waiting on records to see if they will pay claim.

 

So I ask how do we have rights and how can we be taken care of with out dying?

Hi.  I am so sorry this happened to you.  I don't have any advice, I'm afraid, other than to consider some form of counseling to deal with the panic attacks as well as to walk you through it emotionally with someone who can be your advocate.  A therapist might also be useful in not only documenting your condition, but in suggesting ways in which to protect yourself legally in the future and perhaps even in pursuing this legally for some sort of consideration. Wishing you all the best and hoping you are at least feeling better physically now.

Oh My Goodness! What a nightmare ... I can't even imagine. Which hospital did you go to?! I don't ever want anything like that to happen.

I think that Suzanne's comments above and Susan's comments that follow were on the money. Please see about getting some help. EDIT ... If you are going to follow Susan's advice, I'd get the documents, and CD's of CAT scans, MRI's, etc... As she suggested, be sure to go in and ask for the information in a very calm, businesslike manner. If you are able to contact an attorney today, before going over there you might ask if there is anything you should or shouldn't do when requesting your records. Also ... There is a practice that specializes in obesity related issues, I don't know if they practice in NC or if they handle this kind of case, but it might be worth contacting them. Maybe they could give you some direction. I believe that there web address is www.obesitylaw.com.

Take care,

Barb

You do have rights! I was previously in the medical profession and am saddened by the way the nurses today portray the profession b/c it is not supposed to work that way. The nursing rules state and we were trained like robots on the 5 rights of the patients. Never do no harm and  mainly if a patient even REMOTELY QUESTIONS ANYTHING A NURSE IS DOING OR IS ABOUT TO DO, THE ACTUAL LAW STATES THE NURSE IS SUPPOSED TO STOP IMMEDIATELY! I suggest you go to where you were at and as soon as possible and sign a release for your records and state plainly and in writing that you want everything from that entire visit and any information pertaining to that visit. Normally, when medical records sends out the records to the patients they do not include things like nursing notes and other things they do not feel the patient needs necessarily. Plainly, professionally, state that you are there to sign a release for the dates in question and let them know you want every page of your records down to the demographics page and do this asap b/c records have a way of disappearing at hospitals especially is they get wind of you seeking an attorney. Secondly, try to search for attorneys outside the area in which you live or where this took place b/c it is very hard anywhere to find attorneys that will actually go against hospitals where they may need to be treated in the future. I live in NC and if say this happened in Raleigh, I would try to find another attorney on the other side of the state in Charlotte. For the main thing is to make sure the attorney is licensed to practice law in the state in which you need help. Then if this is not helping contact legal aid and also another site on the internet is legalmatters.com I believe this is it but I used it for the same type of services and actually had an attorney call me within a few days and now am at the point of filing a lawsuit against the University of NC at Greensboro. I hope this helps. Another thing is that you do have 3 years from the date this happened to file suit. So don't give up so easily. You  just have to persevere. I know from experience that it does eventually pay off. Then your therapy bills would be paid for until you get over this traumatic experience for instance. Hope this helps ease your mind b/c you do have rights and you just have to continue to look around and look on the internet for medical issues attorneys in the state and even attorneys outside the state as long as they are licensed in your state you will be ok. PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP B/C I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL DO SO AND I ALMOST DID AND HAD TO HAVE A PRAYER TONGUE LASHING FROM GOD TELLING ME TO MOVE FORWARD AND THINGS ARE GOING INTO PLACE. If it is meant to be it will happen even if you have to work a little harder for it. So keep keeping on! With the best blessed wishes! Susan C.

I would start by contacting the DOI - department of insurance for assistance - I believe you can file a complaint with them, if not they can direct you thru the necessary steps. If you went thru insurance contact them and file a complaint as well - they take complaints very seriously and it will be looked into - while they will not update you or tell you the outcome it will be logged against the hospital and on their provider record. You can also contact the hospital directly to file a complaint - again I would first contact the DOI and get their advice, that is what they are there for.

Unfortunately, I had to delete this post due to privacy concerns.

After receiving your records I would see who the nurses are(names) and contact the NC board of Nursing to lodge a complaint. It is possible that the nurses liscense could be taken away. Good luck

Hey, I am very good friends with the daughter of the lady who is the head of the NC Nursing board.  I know her pretty well as well.  If you need any help let me know, I can get your complaint directly to her.

Hi, You should also make a complaint with DFS (Department of Facility Services) they oversee hospitals and nursing homes in NC and they take complaints of abuse of patient rights very seriously! This is a big deal!! I am not certain of the website but you can google NC Dept of Facility Services and find it. They will go in and put the hospital under full investigation. Also, keep with the therapy.....taking care of you is the most important thing. Good Luck, Carolyn