Quote:
Originally Posted by Cobh521
I had a similar incident on 1/5/14. I presented at the ER with a very high blood pressure that I could not control. This was the first time that this happened. Having worked in the healthcare field for over 30 years, I knew that I could have a stroke. I waited in the ER for 5 hours before I was taken back to a bed. The triage nurse only checked my blood pressure twice during that time and said, yep it is very high. When I was brought back to a bed, the doctor told me my blood pressure was at a critical level. He ordered meds immediately and put me on an IV. I received great care by the doctor and staff once I was seen. They were very concerned that I waited so long. I spent the rest of the night in the hospital until I was stabilized. There needs to be communication between the triage area and the treatment area.
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I couldn't agree with you more regarding communication between triage and the ED. I am a retired RN. My husband presented to the ED with altered mental status and loss of strength to the point he could not stand. We waited in the ED for 5 hours and finally found my husband had a large brain bleed that had caused his brain to shift from midline. He was taken to surgery for a craniotomy and, I thank God for his surgeon, he is doing fine. Dr. told me he could have had brain damage or death if not caught when it was. What upset me the most was the triage nurse was putting flu patients (who had spent several hours laughing, chatting, and texting) before my husband. My husband would have waited longer had I not intervened.
I believe they are understaffed and those that work there a pushed to the max. Once management stops focusing on the almighty dollar and their bonus checks, maybe we will get decent healthcare.
