ER Doctor Overrides My Request to NOT Stick Dilaysis Arm

[Stacy Without An E]

I despise doctors 75% more now.  I was hit by a Scion on my scooter and had to be rushed to the ER.  You expect caring nurses, competent staff and a doctor who knows his staff.

I was stuck FIVE different times on my right arm for an IV line.  I'm in shock and extreme pain and I'm trying to hold it together long enough to show them a beautiful vein on the underside of my arm, but they told me shut up and be quiet.

Then they decide that my left arm, my DIALYSIS ACCESS ARM, would be a fantastic place to try.  The fascist doctor kept saying over and over again he knew what he was doing, that he'd done it many times before.

p*cking liar.  I mentioned this to the Dialysis staff and they said that shouldn't ever, ever happen.  The access arm could be damaged by a bad stick or too much pressure.

I was in so much pain at the time and starting to panic, so I finally wasn't able to fight anymore.

I've been in hospitals and Dialysis clinics my entire life and never have staff told me shut up or screamed at me during treatment.

I'm still debating whether to file a complaint, but I hear rumors that if you file you're branded as a troublemaker and no one will want to treat you.

[Mimi]

I would go to the Hospital Administration.  Right is right and wrong is wrong.  Every nurse and Doctor know they are not supposed to stick
the access arm.  They can't refuse to treat you.
Hope you are not bummed up too much and Good Luck.

[RichardMEL]

unbelieveable !!!!!!

I think you should go to the hospital administration and explain your concerns. Or perhaps try through your Neph - it may have more effect if you have a doctor telling them it's not on.

good luck and I hope there is no adverse affects from their idocy... and of course hope YOU are OK after your accident!!!

[lizabee]

I agree, going to the admin is the right thing to do.  I cannot beleive that the medical staff could be so ignorant!  Hope you are ok and feeling better soon

[peleroja]

That's why you desperately need an advocate with you.  If I can't call my advocate myself, I make sure someone else does.  Furthermore, I refuse all IVs until I know exactly why it needs to be put in.  I would definitely complain to someone, and ask the dialysis folks to follow up.  I'm so sorry this happened to you.

[BASSMAN]

Complain??

Bunk that!!!!!!!

I would go see an attorney!!!

[brmoore]

   Don't be afraid of being labled a "troublemaker" - they must treat you. It has been my experience that those who are willing to stand up for themselves and complain get better treatment from staff then those who accept everything.
                                                                                                                             Bruce 

[kristina]

I have dared to complain when I was wrongly treated and/or when I was maltreated/abused by a NHS-GP/doctor/medical staff.

My complaints did not get anywhere, because courage seems to have gone out of fashion and it seems that I was the only NHS-patient to complain when I was attacked, insulted or when a doctor tried to abuse me.

I was severely punished for the fact that I stood up for myself and dared to complain because I am now left without any NHS-medical care and I have no NHS-doctor to go to in my kidney failure.

Complaints are not accepted in our system and I have paid a very heavy price for complaining.

But I have kept my dignity.

I would have lost my self-respect and I certainly would have lost my dignity if I had not complained.

It is a difficult decision to make, especially in a vulnerable situation with kidney failure and a very fragile health.

I would not know how to advise you. I think it depends on everyone's very own character how they deal with abuse.

I wish you good luck with whatever you decide.

[Bill Peckham]

That sucks. Bastards.

On the one hand you'd like to think your efforts would lead to the doc not doing this any more and dialyzors wouldn't have this happen. On the other hand we all have only so much energy and this might not be the best way to spend yours. Maybe write down an account of the whole event - all the details. Pull together as complete an account as you can. Then heal.

Once you're somewhat recovered then decide what to do. Get the who-what-where-when-how written down now before the memory fades.

[Jean]

I agree with Bassman, get an attorney. That will make sure he never does that again. Good Grief, did they not even notice the fistula?

[kitkatz]

     You go get the assholes!

[Inara]

Do they send out a survey at your hospital? 

If you want to remain semi-anonymous, yet be heard, I'd recommend filling it out and enclosing a letter.  I know when I broke my leg last spring and wasn't happy with my care that mine was read and taken seriously.  Hell, they even dropped all my out-of-pocket costs!  (and it was a lot!)

[Rerun]

I would go straight to your vascular surgeon and give him the name of the ER doc. 

Sorry this happened Stacy.  I hope you are okay.             

[glitter]

That is utter bullcrap- I hope you can find a way to make yourself heard.

[kellyt]

I'm sorry to hear about both your accident and the stupid bastards at that hospital.  I've never experienced anything like that and God help them if I do.  That is unacceptable on all levels!   You're in my thoughts, Stacy.   

[Lillupie]

YOU FILE A FORMAL COMPLIANT! I cant believe that. IT s not like you perfer your right arm over your left arm. I am on PD and I know that you cant get poked with your fistula arm, or even get your blood pressure taken from that arm.! UGH! Your voice will be heard, I promise.
 Last year I was in the hospital, I was taken to the Dialysis unit to dialyze, when i came back, my phone and belonging well gone. THe nurse was like "you are discharged, bye" I didnt get any notification or discharge papers.
 THe hospital ended up paying me back for a new phone that was never found.
  Yeah make sure they hear you, ITs your fistula, not theirs.

Lisa

[RightSide]

The best way is to have your Neph call that ER department and explain the situation about your fistula arm.  From him, they might actually learn something about how to practice medicine.

[Mizar]

Sorry You got hurt. I Agree, speak to the Hospital Administrator. Tell them, You want Your Concern, brought up in the next Staff Meeting. Some Doctors, seem to forget that We are " Paying Customers "

[Sunny]

I'm sorry you were treated so poorly by medical staff who should know better.
I think you should say something.That staff needs to be better trained so it won't happen again. Maybe your efforts will save the next person. I recently had to have an IV placed in my right arm for an endoscopy procedure and I kept telling them don't use my left arm. They had to stick me 5 times in my right arm to get it right. When they wanted to try my left arm I told them NO WAY, try again on the right. I was sober and completely aware so I was able to defend myself. If I had not been, they likely would have done what they wanted to my left arm. That was last week, and this week my right arm and right hand are numb and hurting with nerve weakness. I watched the nurse do the sticks and I felt she was not very good in her abilities. Sounds like you had medical staff who were not very good at sticks.

[hurlock1]

   One good reason to always carry an unconcealed weapon; a sword, or a Colt 45. HA!  I'm sure that the day that you were at the ER, there was some other circumstance that was causing stress, but still that was no excuse for not treating you with a little respect. Right wrong or indifferent, the caregivers at the dialysis clinic, ALL say never to allow your fistula to be accessed by anyone other than the dialysis clinic; the whole arm! Unless you were dying and couldn't communicate that fact, it doesn't matter. If the doctor talks loud, You have to talk louder!  Like it or not, even in the ER, besides being a patient, you are a customer! Unless you go to the ER everyday, it doesn't matter if you complain. No doubt, I would make a FORMAL complaint to the highest authority, I would be talking to a lawyer! There are ways to get your point across with out being rude, but sometimes being rude is the only way to get your point across. Granted if you're in the ER, you're there for help. To be told to shut up is unexcusable by any professional caregiver and no amount of low self esteem is enough to keep me from saying my peace.
   

[hurlock1]

   One good reason to always carry an unconcealed weapon; a sword, or a Colt 45. HA!  I'm sure that the day that you were at the ER, there was some other circumstance that was causing stress, but still that was no excuse for not treating you with a little respect. Right wrong or indifferent, the caregivers at the dialysis clinic, ALL say never to allow your fistula to be accessed by anyone other than the dialysis clinic; the whole arm! Unless you were dying and couldn't communicate that fact, it doesn't matter. If the doctor talks loud, You have to talk louder!  Like it or not, even in the ER, besides being a patient, you are a customer! Unless you go to the ER everyday, it doesn't matter if you complain. No doubt, I would make a FORMAL complaint to the highest authority, I would be talking to a lawyer! There are ways to get your point across with out being rude, but sometimes being rude is the only way to get your point across. Granted if you're in the ER, you're there for help. To be told to shut up is unexcusable by any professional caregiver and no amount of low self esteem is enough to keep me from saying my peace.