"My husband being discharged"

About: Crosshouse Hospital / Respiratory medicine Crosshouse Hospital Respiratory medicine KA2 0BE

Posted by rcolgan (as a relative), 7 years ago

My husband was admitted to Crosshouse hospital from the renal unit with severe breathing problems. After 2 days he was diagnosed with pneumonia and given antibiotics. He was bedridden on oxygen and nebulisers.
He was moved to a general ward a few days later and was sat in a chair that night for the first time. I got a phone call on the next morning to say he was being discharged that night after his dialysis. I picked him up from hospital and told the nurse he was still very breathless and I wasn't happy about him being sent home; the nurse told me she thought the same and that she had phoned the ward and said so but was told the doctor had said he was to be discharged.
I took him home and had to practically carry him from the car into the house where he had to stop in the hallway struggling to breathe for a good few minutes then into the living room still struggling with his breathing.
I am so angry at the way he was treated and his breathing problems were ignored, oh by the way he has severe COPD into the bargain.

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COPD

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Eunice Goodwin

Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,

NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 27/02/2017 at 11:59

Published on Care Opinion at 14:20

Dear rcolgan,
I am really sorry, this must have been both distressing and difficult for you both. Not being able to breathe is scary enough in itself without struggling to get home too.
Perhaps you or your husband would like to discuss this with a member of the team, I can arrange that for you. It could be by telephone if that is helpful. Please contact me on 01563 826222 or email me at Eunice.goodwin@aapct.scot.nhs.uk so we can explore this issue.
I hope your husband is getting better now at home, with support from the community nurses and GP team.
Kindest regards,
Eunice

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Update posted by rcolgan (a relative) 7 years ago

An update on my husband, since taking him home his breathing did not get any better but I thought I would give his medication the chance to work.
However on Saturday morning he was becoming distressed because he couldn't get a breath so I called 999. The paramedic was very supportive and put him at ease. He was still finding it hard to breathe even when sitting and through various tests she said he had an irregular heartbeat as well as his other problems.
He was given nebuliser to help with his breathing and taken to hospital to be admitted.

Eunice Goodwin

Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,

NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 28/02/2017 at 09:03

Published on Care Opinion at 09:39

Oh I am sorry, how distressing for you both. I do hope everything goes well and he is much better when he goes home.
Best wishes to you both,
Eunice

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Update posted by rcolgan (a relative) 7 years ago

Got him home and he went straight to bed. This morning I wakened him for his medication, he didn't know how to take his meds. After I had given them I said he could go back to sleep for a while as he has dialysis today. Was difficult to get him out of bed, he was crying saying he wanted to go back to sleep. Had to dress him and practically carry him to the living room. Patient Transport came for him but he couldn't even walk to the door. The person that came had to get in contact for someone to come and help them to take him out on a chair. I am thoroughly disgusted with his treatment. He is a man who has paid his taxes his whole life!

Eunice Goodwin

Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,

NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 01/03/2017 at 15:07

Published on Care Opinion at 15:52

Dear rcolgan,
Thank you for contacting me off-line. As you know, we discussed a few options for you and your husband to get some help and support. As per our discussion today, I have done what we discussed and hopefully this will be the way forward.
Best wishes,
Eunice

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