The other side of the stethoscope.

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I'm not a nurse, I'm a former patient. I was in a work place accident that severed my femoral artery and vein in my left leg. I was saved by a quick thinking ER Dr. When I finally became conscience in the hospital I was surrounded by an environment completely foreign too me. As I had been "pumped" with fluids I found myself needful of a urinal. (I don't know why I didn't have a catheter) The last time I had been in the Hospital, the call button was a simple affair. 1 button on a wire. Now imagine if you will, me lying there with a "pick" line in my left arm, a hose shoved down my nose, and all the wires for the monitors dangling from me. I'm looking for something that no longer exists. I don't want to wet the bed, so I start yelling. That is not the way to get a nurse,I found out. But I wish that someone would have made sure that I did know how to find the remote for the TV. and explain that the call button is there. Although when you are in the state that I was, a big clunky remote is the last thing I need to struggle with. Needless to say I used the water pitcher, the liner for the water pitcher, the water glass, and some empty coffee cups left behind by visitors. So Please don't assume that every patient knows everything about hospitals. Especially those coming in through the ER. I have many more stories about the Nurses that I met over the course of the 8 years of road back. Most are good, some are not, but they should all be told. If you would like to hear them I'd be glad to share.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

The IV line in your arm was most likely a 'PICC line' (peripherally inserted central catheter) and the 'hose' in your nose was probably a nasogastric tube.

Anyhow, I am sorry about your poor experience as a patient. It definitely falls below the level of satisfaction that most healthcare institutions strive to attain. And as always, thank you for sharing your personal experience!

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While I am glad you feel better, I'd like to know how the nurses were supposed to orient you to your room and equipment if you hadn't "come to" before this.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
The IV line in your arm was most likely a 'PICC line' (peripherally inserted central catheter) and the 'hose' in your nose was probably a nasogastric tube.

Anyhow, I am sorry about your poor experience as a patient. It definitely falls below the level of satisfaction that most healthcare institutions strive to attain. And as always, thank you for sharing your personal experience!

Great customer service comeback :)

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

Yeah, what is up with the snarky responses? That sounds like a terrifying experience.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

I'm sorry you had a poor experience. I certainly don't want to dismiss you issues as nothing; however, please realize that the nurses may have been involved in something that prevented them from coming into you room right when you started yelling. Also, please report the issues with the complicated call button/remote to the hospital. Trust me--nurses did not come up with these silly inventions.

FWIW, being "pumped" full of fluids is not necessarily an indication for a Foley (neither is incontinence). This is done to help prevent UTIs from unnecessary Foley use.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Yeah, what is up with the snarky responses? That sounds like a terrifying experience.
None of the responses have been snarky in my humble opinion. Honest? Yes, but definitely not snarky or rude.
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