Katy Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 I used to work in nursing too, and saw some truly APPALLING things that nursing managers ignored. Complain to everyone, and complain until you are satisfied. If you complain enough that they think you're going to file complaints with medical and nursing boards the hospital will make sure the best nurses are assigned to him. Sometimes the best way to get results is to post things on a blog or twitter and let them go viral. Many management issues are ignored until they threaten a company's reputation, but there is NOTHING as effective as combating bad PR to get anyone to change things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom23Boys Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Praying for a safe trip and that your son recovers completely and quickly. I am sorry that the care was less than stellar (to say the least!) where y'all were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 How scary to know that the people responsible for your son's care were not doing the best job. Best wishes for your journey to Chicago, and hope that he gets better care there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 May all go well with your travels and thereafter. Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear the staff at hospital #1 weren't more responsive, but in some ways, that doesn't surprise me considering they were sleeping on the job. I doubt that was a first time occurrence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Salt Lake City Regional Medical Center. It sounds bigger than it is. Yes, that's a small hospital, and it wouldn't be one I'd recommend in SLC. I'm sorry you ended up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyofsixreboot Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Medical person here-not acceptable but not unusual behavior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmichigan Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 I actually think maybe the finger monitor is messed up. When the crowd came in after I caught them asleep my son was offered oxygen. His numbers went up to 93 on oxygen. I had him stay on it for an hour. He said it hurt his nose. So from 3:30am until now (5:40 am) he has been off and was at 89/90. I'm sure they gave him oxygen just to placate me. Only another hour or so before the docs make their rounds. Keep an eye on him with flight. You might consider a wheelchair at the airport to help keep him from exerting himself unless his oxygen sat was better by discharge. Hopefully the hospital personal discussed purse lipped breathing in case he has any problems with shortness of breath. 89/90 was right on the cut off for oxygen use for most cases last I worked in the hospital, but the staff behavior you described is atrocious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Wishing you safe travels. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruby Rose Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Write a letter and cc everyone in management. Even though you are leaving this hospital, these employees need to be reprimanded. ICU nurses rarely sit, let alone sleep! Email or mail letters to everyone from unit manager to CEO and make sure lower manage knows upper management is being informed. Not sure if this is regional or nationwide, but hospitals are now being rated partly on patients perceived experience. They lose certain credentials if they are not meeting the expectations of the patient on a consistent basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Safe travels and best health wishes to your son! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Safe travels and I am hoping for improvement soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Another Jen Posted July 10, 2014 Author Share Posted July 10, 2014 Yes, that's a small hospital, and it wouldn't be one I'd recommend in SLC. I'm sorry you ended up there. That's where the guys from the forestry service brought him. Hopefully we won't need a hospital in SLC again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readwithem Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Safe travels. You are a great mom! :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 My son has spent a lot of time in the PICU and regular pediatric ward. I have never seen a nurse asleep in the job. They have never dismissed a concern. They have never dismissed a request to fetch/page a more senior nurse or a doctor. All of that said, those finger pulse ox meters are notoriously inaccurate. If your son wasn't showing signs of respiratory distress (like retractions), then his pulse ox wasn't 80. Nevertheless, the duty nurse should have called someone more senior to directly address your concerns instead of being dismissive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Are you back in Chicago yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Another Jen Posted July 10, 2014 Author Share Posted July 10, 2014 No- the first flight looked full. We are going for the next one. It has 15 open seats, so hopefully we'll get 2 together. So one of us can sit with connor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 praying here for safe travels and speedy and complete recovery! so glad you were able to be there! ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Praying that you can get on the next flight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeteranMom Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 The people who work the shift work should be used to the hours. They shouldn't be asleep. It's inexcusable. When I worked as an RN, I NEVER fell asleep at work. They shouldn't be there if they can't stay awake. That's awful and you have a right to be upset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 My sister had to file a complaint once about my mom's care. At that particular hospital, the Director of Nursing was the title of the person she had to file the complaint with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmichigan Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 No- the first flight looked full. We are going for the next one. It has 15 open seats, so hopefully we'll get 2 together. So one of us can sit with connor. :grouphug: Wishing you safe travels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Another Jen Posted July 11, 2014 Author Share Posted July 11, 2014 We are home! We are literally a 5 minute drive from northwestern so since he isnt having any problems breathing or anything we'll wait for his appt tomorrow. I spoke with the infectious diseases doc right before we got on the plane. She gave me the names of the president of the hospital and the corporate president. Through a facebook friend I have a atty willing to write a strongly worded letter telling our story. I'll start that tomorrow after our appt. Tonight I am sitting in my own living room happy to all 5 kids at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 It must feel so good to be home. I hope things go well at the hospital tomorrow. Sending healing thoughts for your son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 One nurse sleeping is an aberration. Two on one shift suggests a cultural or management issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readwithem Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 There's no place like home! Glad you have an attorney. FABULOUS that you have all 5 kids at home :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Wonderful news that everyone is home safe! :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodhaven Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I'm glad you are home and your son is out of what sounds like negligent medical care in that hospital. Medical staff sleeping on the job is beyond horrible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmichigan Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I'm glad to hear you are home and that your son is doing well. Fingers crossed for a good appointment today. I think an letter from an attorney is a wonderful idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocelotmom Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 The state board of nursing would be another good place to report it. I would definitely report to somewhere outside the hospital, as it appears maybe the hospital does not have a clear policy on sleeping while on duty, based on the fact that multiple people were doing it and the supervisor didn't care. (At one of my jobs it's grounds for immediate dismissal. The other doesn't appear to have a policy.) The people who work the shift work should be used to the hours. Not necessarily. When I first started, I worked one night shift and two day shifts a week. Now, I'll have a night shift once in a blue moon when I fill in somewhere or other. I am avoiding applying for night shift jobs because, with a bunch of kids at home, there's no way I could truly adapt to night shift. But some people don't have the option to be picky. But that's not an excuse. When I start to get sleepy on night shift, I get up and walk around, drink some coffee, find someone to talk to, or something else to help me stay awake. Even at the job without a specific policy, it's just not something I want to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Glad to hear that you're all home again. Sending more good thoughts for your son. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 We are home! We are literally a 5 minute drive from northwestern so since he isnt having any problems breathing or anything we'll wait for his appt tomorrow. I spoke with the infectious diseases doc right before we got on the plane. She gave me the names of the president of the hospital and the corporate president. Through a facebook friend I have a atty willing to write a strongly worded letter telling our story. I'll start that tomorrow after our appt. Tonight I am sitting in my own living room happy to all 5 kids at home. That's much better. You'll have more specialists to help you here in Chicago and that should be good. I know the EVP/COO of Northwestern Hospital, and he is a very compassionate person who takes patients' experiences seriously. Btw, I live 5" from Northwestern, too, but the one in Evanston. :) We've received very good care whenever we've had to use them. Good luck. I hope your son gets well soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I somehow missed the whole "sleeping nurse" thing, but I'm glad you are home, with a diagnosis and good care nearby. Hang in there. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne115 Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I'm so sorry for what you are dealing with. I had an awful experience at a very small hospital when my mom was sick so I can understand how frustrating it can be. Prayers for a speedy recovery and excellent medical care for the future. Suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodhaven Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 Hope your son is doing OK! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mysticmomma Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 Glad to read you are home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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