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Different experience of gastroscopy

Posted By Singing in the rain

"Different experience of gastroscopy"

About: Queen Margaret Hospital / Endoscopy

(as the patient),

I had a gastroscopy at my local hospital. It is only the second time I've had one of these and I was nervous as I can choke very easily. During my first gastroscopy, I was given 4mg of sedation, and the next thing I knew I was in recovery-no problems at all.

This time the Consultant said they would give me 2mg of sedation to see how I got on. I have never felt so distressed and uncomfortable in my life and they had stop the procedure and remove the endoscope.

They topped up the sedation by another 2mg and continued. I was still extremely uncomfortable and couldn't wait for it to be over. I did not feel sleepy at all and am convinced that the sedation hadn't worked or the cannula was not properly in.

I never want to repeat this experience but if I do need another one I'd like to think that I could have increased sedation. Surely it is not only more comfortable for the patient, but also easier for the consultant to do their job.

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Responses

Response from Gillian Ogden, Head of Nursing, Planned Care, NHS Fife 7 years ago
Gillian Ogden
Head of Nursing, Planned Care,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 18/04/2017 at 09:43
Published on Care Opinion at 09:50

picture of Gillian Ogden

Dear Singing in the rain

Thank you for taking the time to post on Patient Opinion.

I was sad and sorry to read your description of your recent experience of gastroscopy and that you felt uncomfortable and distressed throughout. We don't want anyone to feel this way and I would be grateful for the opportunity to talk to you further about your procedure.

If you can, please give me a ring directly on 01592 643355 ext 20148 or send your contact details by email gillian.ogden@nhs.net and I will call you.

Kind regards

Gill

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Response from Gillian Ogden, Head of Nursing, Planned Care, NHS Fife 6 years ago
We have made a change
Gillian Ogden
Head of Nursing, Planned Care,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 04/05/2017 at 15:16
Published on Care Opinion at 15:17

picture of Gillian Ogden

Dear Singing in the rain,

Thank you so much for getting in touch with me. It was really good to speak to you about the concerns you had about your endosocpy experience.

I was able to explain to you that, because of patient safety issues, we do not give big doses of sedation at the start of the procedure. A small dose is given initially and then more as the procedure progresses, if needed and if it is safe to do so.

This issue is a concern for patients, like you, who maybe had an endosocpy a few years ago, when larger doses of sedation were given. We have spent a lot of time, trying to get the wording right in our information booklets in an effort to explain this to our patients. I don't think that we have quite got it right yet and I am grateful that you are helping us with this. We are also changing our admission documentation to include a question about previous sedation history. This will allow our staff to have the discussion, before the procedure, about what to expect from sedation.

Thanks again for the time you have given to this issue, it is much appreciated and I look forward to speaking with you again soon.

Kind regards

Gill

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