I knew when this was brought up to me that I would likely need to seek the advice of the wonderful people on this forum.
A little history...
My grandfather is 72, has COPD, diabetic, about 150+ lbs overweight, has arthritis....the last round of CHF was about two years ago. He was admitted to hospital about a week ago c/o weakness, was found to have lost 50% of his kidney function. He has not been able to keep an IV in for more than a day, and the man has hematomas covering one arm. 2 days ago, he lost feeling in his right leg and is unable to stand. Doc ordered a CT scan, but haven't gotten results yet.
Problem...
I took my 4 and 5 year old to visit this past Saturday, found needle caps on the floor, empty dressing packages, little pieces of equipment all over the floor. I cleaned up what I saw.
My grandmother went to visit after church Sunday to find the room in such a way that she wondered if someone accidentally turned the trash can over. She said his clothes and bed linens were covered in dried blood (she had just seen him the day before), he had not been bathed in a couple of days.
Also, the nurse "supervisor" went into his room Thur. night and asked,
Nurse: "Do you really want your breathing tx at night?"
Grandfather: "Well, the doc ordered it every 4 hours, didn't he?"
Nurse: I don't know, I'll check. Do you want it if he did?
Grandfather: If doc says do it, I'll do it.
Nurse: Huffs out of room.
Question...
My grandmother is very upset, but only thinks a resolution will come with her response in the "Customer Service" survey after he goes home???? That can't be right????
Realizing that you can't give medical advice, is there another thread or site that talks about expectations for these comorbid diseases. Given the numbness in his leg, COPD, diabetes, arthritis, loss of kidney function...will he go home?
