Stop Drive Thru Mastectomies

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance

companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital

I am appalled as an Intake RN to see referrals for women with less than 24 hour stay in hospital, sent home with only 2 days authorization for homecare!!! Having been ther with my mother after her surgery, I saw her have complications after 24 hours.

I've cared for MANY mastectomy patients who are not taught about long term side effects of surgery and that arm exercises are important in post op period to prevent lymphedema later.

Please sign this pledge:

http://www.lifetimetv.com/health/breast_mastectomy_pledge.html

[Shamrock, BSN, RN]

Consider it done!! My mother was sent home the

next day puking every 10 mins. on the 2 hour drive home. (Yes, she had been doing it before dismissal also.)

[CCL"Babe", BSN, RN]

I agree this practice has to stop. My SIL at age 30 (just) had to have radical mastectomy. Single parent. Was told that she would be in hospital for 2-3 days. They discharged her less than 24 hours from surgery. Was told that she would have to pay out of her pockect to stay any longer. No effort made for home care assistance or anything. She ended up with post op infection, wound dehissed. I couldn't believe it. I just wonder what people who don't have anyone to help would do?

You know that if it was the insurance guys getting their you know what operated on it would be a week before they'd get discharged.

[semstr]

OMG!

Feel so sorry for all the women going through this ordeal, as it is so hard already, but being "kicked out" after 48 hours is the pits!

Here women can stay at least 7 days, most of the time longer, after the stitches come out and then they get home-care.

[ERNurse752, RN]

Done did it!

That's horrible...I hope it gets addressed this time.