Angry over lack of proper care by a nurse

Nurses Safety

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I am not sure of how to write this but I am angry/hurt/upset over what I consider substandard care of my MOM. She was in a CVU and showed definite changes that pointed to a stroke and her nurse didn't address it. :angryfireFurthermore, she didn't even know why she was in the CVU or that she was becoming more hypotensive by the minute. :oI found my MOM to be obtunded, not lethargic and I admit it, I kind of flipped out over it but it got the attention of this nurse. My MOM had a massive cerebellar stroke and she died on JAN 12th. I am angry because this nurse just didn't seem to care-- was inattentive, rude, preoccupied and condescending. I just want her to never ever treat another family or patient in this manner. She obviously had a "bad day" or just is clueless but don't work in critical care if you aren't going to pay attention to your "2" assigned patients. How can you not know why someone is in your unit--- that is why we get report. Don't try to blame the nurse on the shift before yours for your inattentiveness and if the patient shows changes --tell someone-- find out why-- don't just assume that because they were elderly they were out of it. My Mom was living alone before she went in the hospital and she was 85. I am angry but I also just miss her so much:madface:

Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

i am very sorry for your loss , i send you hugs and prayers.

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I'm so sorry for your loss. Hugs.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

i'm sorry about the loss of your mom. this must be a very difficult time for you. please be gentle with yourself and allow yourself time to grieve before you complain about the nurse. this time is for you and is about you.

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Specializes in Hospice, ER.

I'm very sorry you've lost your mom.

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Specializes in PICU.

I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. (hugs) I don't blame you for being upset. I agree that when you're able to deal with it calmly, you should address your concerns with the nurse manager of the unit.

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Specializes in LPN in the Navy, completed paramedic crs.

Nurse Gracie, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother-I cant imagine what you are going through. Did you ever tell this nurse your feelings? If i were you, I would call her nurse manager.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

I am sorry your mother died. Not being mean here, but don't you think the doctor has any responsibility here at all? The doctor, more than the nurse, should have seen the warning signs and has the authority to do something. Where was he? What, if anything, could have possibly been done to prevent this stroke from happening?

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I'm sorry over the death of your mother. Because it's still very recent, your emotions are still high. I think it's easy to place blame on someone, some thing when there is so much hurt going on. It may very well be a possibilty that your preception of this nurse is being skewed by the emotions of the death of your mother. Please take a while to deal with what you are experiencing now before you do anything else. Your mother lived to be 85 - how fortunate and lucky for her! :)

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm so sorry.

Please take care of yourself.

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i'm so sorry, gracie.:icon_hug:

i was in a similar situation w/my mom (she was 74), where she died from preventable complications in the icu.

but thinking about her quality of life (or lack of), had she lived, only led me to an almost immediate acceptance of her death.

wishing you much peace, strength and closure.

leslie

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

(((((gracie)))))

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First I am so sorry for your loss.

About a year and a half ago we implemented a program at my hospital to handle similar situations such as you had with your mom. Where you noticed changes in your mom's condition and her nurse didn't seem to care. This program was based on the case of Josie King who was a pediatric patient at I believe John Hopkins http://www.josieking.org/page.cfm?pageID=10

There is a foundation developed in her name. This program gives patients and/or their family member access to other higher level staff when you feel needs aren't being met. We briefly describe this program to all our admissions and provide them with written information on how to access higher ups. We explain that we don't feel they will ever need it but that it would give them an extra layer of reassurrance.

The first few months we had some funny reasons that the number was called. One patient needed help with her crochet pattern another wanted a box of kleenex. Since then we haven't had any calls that I have heard of it is just there as a back up.

If you go to the Josie King web site there are some resources that might help you. Also if you do talk to the hospital and or a lawyer maybe you could get them to implement some kind of system so this won't happen to anyone else.

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