I went to my local ER today after a piece of a stick got impaled in my ankle while mowing the grass. I went inside to eat, noticed my ankle was hurting. When I pulled out the piece of wood, it was obvious that I had lacerated my post tibial artery by the immediate, profuse pulstile bleeding. Applied pressure and called the neighbor to get me to the ER.
From start to finish I received cruddy care. Triage nurse obviously didn't give a dam, didn't bother checking for a pulse, gave the impression she doubted my story. The tech taking my vitals was rude, and very annoyed that the auto cuff wasn't working. Scolded me for moving, was annoyed when I asked her to switch cuff to R arm because of some circulatory problems I have to my left hand.
Then, they stuck me in the waiting room, wouldn't give me a pillow, I was in quite a bit of pain. They gave me a chuks and a hard stool and I writhed and checked my own CMS.
Finally got me to a room, I know the charge, used to work at that hospital years ago. She begrudgingly brought me a blanket.
My nurse, whom I also know and have always liked, was also rude. He complained hardily about his day and said every day sucks there, it's always slammed. Now, that is untrue, this little hospital is nowhere as busy as my ER, plus, I was in a lot of pain and didn't want to hear his complaints. He, also, never checked pulse or CMS.
I was texting my manager about the whole thing, she was appalled and advised me to complain. She's a very level headed person. I don't like the idea of complaining, but this is the closest ER, and my experience sucked.
I have slept on it, bounced it off off more than one person, including my ER nurse manager. She is encouraging me to bring my complaint directly to the nurse manager there. I spoke to another trusted nurse friend, who also worked at the facility, is familiar with the culture and cast of characters. She says I should pursue it.
The threat of neurovascular compromise was what brought me to the ER and no one assessed that. I agree, the lack of bedside manner nor any inkling of caring are side issues.
The threat of neurovascular compromise was what brought me to the ER and no one assessed that. I agree, the lack of bedside manner nor any inkling of caring are side issues.
I'm confused so did you leave without any assessment for the above concerns?
I had a very productive discussion with the nurse manager who has been fielding very similar complaints since coming to the job not long ago. She plans to hash everything with staff at their first staff meeting coming up.
You know, as a nurse peer, your ER nurses there probably felt you were "SAFE" and let down their guard re any frustration/angst they were feeling that day. However, their lack of expert clinical care does NOT get a pass. That does need to be addressed through whatever process will most likely be noticed and initiate remediation.
Unacceptable on the part of the staff. But with your 20+ years of experience in emergency care, you're the best judge of when to make out a complaint. Either way, I'm sorry you had such a poor experience.
Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
I recently had sx at a facility other than my own and had, for the most part, great care. But, I did have a nurse that was really incompetent who was being trained. The preceptor was pretty rude. After I was d/c'd, I did call the NM and praised the great parts, but expressed my concerns about the parts of my care that were unsafe, not just attitude, etc. She was grateful that I brought these things to her attention. Both the good and the bad.
I think if you are professional about it, they will appreciate it. If not, then like a PP said, don't go there.
I find it odd that every last person you encountered was rude to you and in a few cases you knew them well. I am not doubting your story and I ascertain that their assessment skills were poor but it just seems odd that they were all faulty with bedside manner.
Also I don't think it was bad taste for the nurse to talk about how his day was going. As nurses we all know the "suck" days at the hospital and maybe he was confiding a bit because you are a nurse too. However, he should have properly assessed you in your time of need.
Libby1987
3,726 Posts
Umm, your story sounds off to me.. Hope you're okay though and would wait on the complaint, see how significant each issue is after you sleep on it.