The worse Hospital Stay ever .

Night before last I was admitted to a local hospital here for an adrenal crisis brought on by this terrible stomach flu going around . When I get sick now , I have to take what they call stress doses of my meds or I can go into what is called adrenal crisis and could go into coma .. well .. here is the story . We arrived at the ER @ 3 pm . We gave the information guy my medical card that states on there for me to be seen asap if brouht in for adrenal crisis . Alan asked the guy when I would be seen , he said when they can get to me , Alan then asked , well , what if she passes out .. The man said .. " well .. get her back up here .. put her in a wheel chair if you think she may pass out .. " Well this enraged Alan ... and we sat .., all the while I was getting worse and worse . Finally 4 hours later , I get called back over to triage .. and the lady says they want to go ahead and start and IV and get bloods . After 3 sticks .. and me almost passsing out .. she decides she can not get a good vein .. goes and gets someone else .. who sticks me 2 more times but finally gets it in . Once they did all this I asked when I would go back .. still no answer for me . At this point I am still vomiting and still very sick.. at midnight I finally get to go back .. and the doc sees me .. We expressed our concern and they decided to admit me .. worse mistake ever .. I should have ran like the wind .. but too sick to even move . My Endocrine Fellow at John Hopkins even called these people to tell them how sick I am and that I must get admitted right away .. they ignored her ... Any hoo .. I Get to my room .. which was about the size of a small bedroom .. and no it was not a private room it was already occupied with a woman that had back surgery .. Long story short .. I was treated terribly .. the hospital was filthy .. the staff rude .. I had a reaction to the deloded for pain . I asked for benydrly .. got it 3 hours later .. I complained to the nursing manager .. who of course said she would look into all my complaints .. I asked her for clean bed sheets and some way to take a shower .. to get some towels .. at 6 pm last night when they finally discharged me .. still no clean room .. or any shower .. I asked my doctor why it took him so long to get to me .. and he said he told the nurses to tell me he was on rounds at another hospital to please let me know . I called this man 4 times leaving messages ... the nurses said they called and talked to him .. my doc said no one called him but he did relay message to one nurse to tell me he was on his way .. I am writing a letter today to the hospital president . I know nothing will be done but I am going to write it anyway .. I would not take a sick dog here .. and guess what .. this is a bariatric hospital as well .. I can only pray for the patients there .. Thanks for letting me rant .. and BTW this was not a Virginia Hospital . Natalie

Man Nat that sucks and was dangerous for you too! Hope they will take the complaint seriously. There has to be a board that gives them the license too you may be able to contact. Hope you are feeling better. Hugs Shannon

I just called the patient advocate and left a message . Look at the mission statement they have on their web page . This is a joke .. and I plan on taking this to a higher level ... any hoo... thanks and I feel better now that I am out of that hell hole .. Nat Mission :: Our mission is to deliver excellent health care through a ministry of physical, mental and spiritual healing. Vision :: Our vision is to become a world class health care organization focused on meeting the needs of our communities and recognized as the provider of choice. Values :: Adventist HealthCare has identified five core values that we use as a guide in carrying out our day-to-day activities: Respect: We recognize the infinite worth of each individual and care for them as a whole person. Integrity: We are above reproach in everything we do. Service: We provide compassionate and attentive care in a manner that inspires confidence. Excellence: We provide world class clinical outcomes in an environment that is safe for both our patients and care givers. Stewardship: We take personal responsibility for the efficient and effective accomplishment of our mission.

Nat what a horrible experience!! It is bad enough being sick without all of that hassle to go with it... it sounds like they treated you very badly and you have every right to complain....... next time - if it happens again - you may be well to go to another hospital even if it is further away. There is no excuse for dirty linen etc - how can you get better if the place is covered in filth? Makes me shudder!! I am so glad that you are feeling better now! Jackie

Wow, that was definitely up there with one of the worst hospital horror stories. You know how I fell about hospitals anyway. I blame a local one for my husbands death because of the horrible care he got. I promised myself I would never set foot in that hospital again. Unfortunately It means I can't attend any support meetings anymore because that's where they hold them. I'm glad I'm going to a catholic hospital for my PS next month. The care there is amazing. Can't go wrong with nuns! I'm glad that your home now and I hope you have a alternate hospital you can go to if you get in crisis again. I left a message on your voicemail. I had no idea you were in the hospital. But try to call me when you feel up to it. I'll be out this morning and if you call between 3:30-and 4:30, I'll be at Sylvan waiting for m son to finish his math tutoring and bored out of my mind. Big Hugs for my Tink, Jane

nat, you poor baby!!! i sure hope you are feeling better today. i will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. do write that letter just maybe someone will read it and do something about this. take care girlie!! hugs, Holly

DAMN!!! Are you sure you weren't in FREDNECKVILLE???? Sounds like our hospital. Even my RNY hospital made me wait FOREVER and did not admit me when I had my bowel obstruction. My surgeon looked at the same cat scan they did and saw the problem right away.......scheduled surgery that minute!!! I'm just saying they all suck to a degree, especially ERs as they don't specialize in any one thing. Much better to make sure you are at the hospital where your Dr. can go, and call him to keep him in on it. Sorry baby!! Hope you're feeling better!!! XOXOOXOXO Sharon

Sounds terriable, sorry you had to go through all that. But glad your home and feeling better, send that letter to the president of hospital along w/ the board. And I think Id make a complaint to a news paper or someone who will investagate and make some changes let your voice be heard.

Aww Nat, that just sucks. I'm sorry you had such horrific care. I do hope that you are feeling better. Wendy

Hey, Tink! Next time, c'mon over to a Virginia Hospital, will ya? LOL. I'm really sorry you had such a horrible experience. That must have been very scarey for both you and Alan knowing that you needed immediate care and were not getting it. Hope that your complaints do not fall on deaf ears and that it makes a difference if not for you - then for the next patient that comes in that requires extra care due to their medical situation. Hope that you are doing much better now! Hugs, Kathy