I went to the hospital two weekends ago. When I got there, I had a self-inflicted injury that needed sutures (It was not a suicidal gesture or anything, just a pressure release to keep there from being a suicidal gesture). When I got there I signed myself into the behavioral health unit and then proceeded to wait at the ER to get stitched up. After 7 hours, I was called back, after 2 more hours I was stitched up, BUT when they stitched me up they made a goof up. There were two basins of clear liquid and the doc kept injecting me out of one of them and I kept telling her I wasn't getting numb. She kept looking at me as if I was drug seeking for local anesthetics! After 24 (I kid you not) injections, I finally just told her to stitch me up anyway, that I didn't think there was lidocaine in the bowl, but at this point I really didn't care, the suturing would have hurt less. She called the nurse in to prove to me I was wrong and he told her that both basins were sterile water. After they LAUGHED about it IN FRONT OF ME, she popped the top on the lidocaine and gave me 8 more injections (I was counting them as a means of saying 'only a few more to go' to myself...little did I know), she stitched me up. As she was doing the suturing, I explained to her that I did not feel comfortable staying in a hospital that would make mistakes like that ( I had never been to this hospital), she calls the mental health nurse and they proceed to take 5 more hours to commit me. During this time, no one would come into the room and they all stayed out of my line of sight, so I couldn't ask anyone any questions. I finally had to find guaze and tape on my own to dress the wound. When I finally had enough, I left my purse and jacket in my room and walked in front of the security guard and stopped, and looked at him. I knew he wouldn't let me leave, but he jumped up and told me I WOULD go back into my room and stay there or he would handcuff me to the bed! I asked him if I was being admitted, he replied yes and I told him "Thank you for having the balls to tell me, because no one else will!" Finally I was committed (after I had already signed myself in, mind you) and was escorted upstairs. The doctor graciously allowed me to rescind the committment and sign in voluntarily (which I had already done!). By the way, even though I was committed, I was never served with papers.
The final thing that got me, was that although I signed no medical releases and told them I wouldn't sign any, they still faxed my paperwork over to my psychiatrist and called my therapist for his fax number (I don't know if he got the paperwork or not). This is a blatant infraction against my patient rights and I am pissed about it, especially after I got my records and read all the sh*t they wrote in there. Remember I used to be an RN, I am not licensed now, but I remember how things worked and they definitely didn't work there. I even had a doctor (the fill in doc for over the weekend) come in my room to talk to me and he was wearing an earpiece in his hear (which was blinking blue) and had his cellphone clipped to his belt. He never removed it during our interview! Just another HIPPA regulation blown to heck!
One of the things they kept mentioning is that "Patient seems overly concerned with her medications and is actively medication seeking". Ok, I had not had any medication for 48 hours, including my PREDNISONE. I have autoimmune diseases that are in remission right now because we have found that delicate balance of medications that work. The last time I was in a flare, 2 years ago, I was in the hospital for 4 months and had over 30 surgeries. I ain't going back into a flare again, even if I have to look like a medication seeking fool! I tried to make them understand this, but it just didn't work I guess. They never did get my meds straightened out.
Then there were the stupid things like we were not allowed to touch each other, even to give hugs, and even brushing against each other on the back was a serious no-no (you would get taken to your room and lectured for that!), but during one of our activities, the 'activities coordinator' had us all turn around and she clipped a picture of an animal to our backs (the very same backs we were not allowed to touch) and we went around the room showing our backs and asking questions about the picture until we could guess what it was. That is so stupid, it is beyond belief, but it shows you the double standard they had going on. I got upset and started crying at one point and guess how many people came to check on me (after I walked past the nurses station, where they all hid out)? Absolutely none. Talk about feeling the love! Oh and that nurses station that they all stayed in, the only time we saw them was when we had an activity or when we ate (and even though I never put a morsel of food past my lips while I was there-I didn't want to set off my colitis--on my chart, I ate 80% at every meal!) other than at those two times, we never saw anyone. And if you weren't at the window at meds time, too bad. If you had an emergency when the window was closed, too bad. Sorry, I didn't realize how frustrated I was with them. I only stayed there 3 days, but it seems like a lifetime!
My idea was to make an appointment with the president of the hospital and have a talk with him, but I have a friend who is a lawyer who wants to go after them for infringement of rights (on several occasions). I have never sued anybody, so I have no idea what to do. What do you think? Any and all help is appreciated! EVery time I try to blow it off in my mind, I think of all the other people this has happened too, that haven't said anything or couldn't say anything....I just don't know.
Purrs--Laura
The final thing that got me, was that although I signed no medical releases and told them I wouldn't sign any, they still faxed my paperwork over to my psychiatrist and called my therapist for his fax number (I don't know if he got the paperwork or not). This is a blatant infraction against my patient rights and I am pissed about it, especially after I got my records and read all the sh*t they wrote in there. Remember I used to be an RN, I am not licensed now, but I remember how things worked and they definitely didn't work there. I even had a doctor (the fill in doc for over the weekend) come in my room to talk to me and he was wearing an earpiece in his hear (which was blinking blue) and had his cellphone clipped to his belt. He never removed it during our interview! Just another HIPPA regulation blown to heck!
One of the things they kept mentioning is that "Patient seems overly concerned with her medications and is actively medication seeking". Ok, I had not had any medication for 48 hours, including my PREDNISONE. I have autoimmune diseases that are in remission right now because we have found that delicate balance of medications that work. The last time I was in a flare, 2 years ago, I was in the hospital for 4 months and had over 30 surgeries. I ain't going back into a flare again, even if I have to look like a medication seeking fool! I tried to make them understand this, but it just didn't work I guess. They never did get my meds straightened out.
Then there were the stupid things like we were not allowed to touch each other, even to give hugs, and even brushing against each other on the back was a serious no-no (you would get taken to your room and lectured for that!), but during one of our activities, the 'activities coordinator' had us all turn around and she clipped a picture of an animal to our backs (the very same backs we were not allowed to touch) and we went around the room showing our backs and asking questions about the picture until we could guess what it was. That is so stupid, it is beyond belief, but it shows you the double standard they had going on. I got upset and started crying at one point and guess how many people came to check on me (after I walked past the nurses station, where they all hid out)? Absolutely none. Talk about feeling the love! Oh and that nurses station that they all stayed in, the only time we saw them was when we had an activity or when we ate (and even though I never put a morsel of food past my lips while I was there-I didn't want to set off my colitis--on my chart, I ate 80% at every meal!) other than at those two times, we never saw anyone. And if you weren't at the window at meds time, too bad. If you had an emergency when the window was closed, too bad. Sorry, I didn't realize how frustrated I was with them. I only stayed there 3 days, but it seems like a lifetime!
My idea was to make an appointment with the president of the hospital and have a talk with him, but I have a friend who is a lawyer who wants to go after them for infringement of rights (on several occasions). I have never sued anybody, so I have no idea what to do. What do you think? Any and all help is appreciated! EVery time I try to blow it off in my mind, I think of all the other people this has happened too, that haven't said anything or couldn't say anything....I just don't know.
Purrs--Laura
If they didn't tell you that they were holding you in the psych ward until they physically detained you, yes, your patient rights were violated.
Also, if the nurse only had sterile water in the bowl and not numbing medication, that's cruel and action could be taken against the hospital. The staff laughing about the matter in front of you is also inappropriate behavior.
Get a lawyer and talk about your situation. They can advise you about what kind of action can be taken against the hospital.
Also, if the nurse only had sterile water in the bowl and not numbing medication, that's cruel and action could be taken against the hospital. The staff laughing about the matter in front of you is also inappropriate behavior.
Get a lawyer and talk about your situation. They can advise you about what kind of action can be taken against the hospital.