topic Re: I'm Confused in Wellness

I'm Confused

software — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 11:55:02 GMT

Had a health event, found myself in the emergency department at my hospital. Interrogated by what seemed liked every employee there for a couple of hours, off & on. When it's determined I needed surgery, the doctor came in & started the same interrogation all over again. By then I was exhausted & even I was surprised how difficult it became to answer all the questions he was asking me. He was snapping at me, barely giving me time to answer. I suggested he call my daughter & he turned, stomped off saying I'll just talk to her.

I know how important it is to communicate with the doctor, with all health professionals. I did the best I could under the circumstances.

After surgery I was admitted & discovered I was labeled confused & a fall risk. There was a walker in my room, which I never touched. And everyone who walked in the room had to ask me ALL the questions like do you know where you are, what year is it, who's the president, on & on. Every time!

Anyway, I'm home & better. Any follow up can be done out patient but what an experience.

Re: I'm Confused

sweetee2 — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 12:04:49 GMT

They were just trying to get as much information as fast and accurate as they could. Like you said Emergency. They didn't know how serious it was and you said you had surgery so it must have been. I'm glad your home and the worst is over.

Re: I'm Confused

CalminHeart — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 12:17:26 GMT

It sounds like doctors, nurses, and staff were very thorough. Be thankful. They can't read your mind or know what tests you need without all the details.

Re: I'm Confused

50Mickey — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 12:18:14 GMT

The were just doing their job. Would you rather have had them rush you into surgery without having all the facts? Also asking you to repeat several times why you were there and your history prevents mistakes being made.

As far as the post op care that your received there are reasons for the questions and the concern for falling. It sounds like you were well looked after. You got home safely and are on the road to recovery.

Re: I'm Confused

kaydee50 — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 12:22:15 GMT

@software You don't say how old you are but maybe you were confused and the repetitive questions were just to make sure they had the correct information. As others have said, seems like they all were doing a thorough job.

Re: I'm Confused

jubilant — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:51:41 GMT

I agree that, in situations like yours, they need to be very thorough but I see no need for a Dr. to snap at an ill patient.

That happened to my mother in an emergency room situation and she was about the sweetest person you would want to know. As he walked down the hall, I mentioned (loud enough for him to hear) that there was no reason for his attitude. I was there. Mom said nothing that would have upset anyone. I was there the whole time. He came back and apologized. I'll give him that!

Glad you are home and doing better.

Re: I'm Confused

On It — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 12:49:15 GMT

If medical staff suspect a patient is confused, they are going to be doubly concerned. They do not know if the information they are receiving from the patient is reliable.

An acquaintance of ours had an emergency. From interviews the physician determined he was not capable of making medical decisions. The social worker tracked down his sister in another part of the country. She was named some type of advocate and made the decisions concerning his treatment. In fact, the physician said he did not believe a word the patient said. They are trained to recognize confusion.

All of these precautions are for the safety and well-being of the patient. On the other hand some precautions like asking the patient for a birthdate before administering medications are to prevent mistakes, not to interrogate the patient.

Re: I'm Confused

CelticCrafter — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 12:51:16 GMT

Any person you interact with in a hospital setting asks the same questions over and over again even though you answered them less than an hour ago, age doesn't matter.

As far as being a fall risk, if you under general anesthesia that seems to be automatic, again age doesn't matter.

My daughter just had gallbladder surgery and she had the fall risk bracelet put on her and she's only 33 years old.

Re: I'm Confused

Group 5 minus 1 — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:08:46 GMT

Medical staff afraid of being sued. Health event? You sound like a marketing person.

Re: I'm Confused

matty liz — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:23:14 GMT

spot on! There is no need for the attitude the medical profession shows. Yes, patient is in a strainge surrounding, hurting, scared yet if listened to and repeated back what is said, Dr. will gain information they want. Being too busy in this situation is hurtful

Re: I'm Confused

Chessa35 — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:23:24 GMT

The way you were treated was overkill ! They just assume everyone in your age group has dementia. Ask once and done .

Not everyone who falls does so because they have dementia .

Also , what happened to bedside manners . Obviously, he skipped that course in medical school !

Re: I'm Confused

Desertdi — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:25:21 GMT

I always feel I am being interrogated FOR A CRIME

Re: I'm Confused

IMW — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:36:20 GMT

Sounds like a real horror. I can only imagine. I know how exhausted and annoyed I get with doctors and staff not bothering to read my chart, or typed sheet I bring listing rxs, conditions etc.

Its enough to make a patient confused- bringing someone with you really helps.

Our medical system is a real mess, so very difficult to

traverse. Glad you're ok.

Re: I'm Confused

software — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:53:23 GMT

@IMW wrote:
Sounds like a real horror. I can only imagine. I know how exhausted and annoyed I get with doctors and staff not bothering to read my chart, or typed sheet I bring listing rxs, conditions etc.

Its enough to make a patient confused- bringing someone with you really helps.

Our medical system is a real mess, so very difficult to
traverse. Glad you're ok.

That's what's in my mind. This is the only hospital I use and have for decades. Their computer records are excellent. It tells them every pill I take, every vaccine, every appointment, doctors' notes, etc, etc you get the picture. So no matter what I say, it can be verified.

First triage, all the questions, then the labwork, all the questions again, CT again & again. I want them to know my name & why the test. When I went for the CT, my head was mentioned, my problem was below the waist. I challenged the tech & he double checked the orders.

Bottom line I was offended by labeled "confused".

I do understand it was a medical decision

Re: I'm Confused

qbetzforreal — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:54:36 GMT

Don't know what type of health event you experienced but some health events time is of the essence and medical professional have to move quickly.

I was tagged a fall risk during a stay in the hospital only because I had been in the bed for a good bit of time and when you get up to stand up, you may be wobbly and frail.

Glad you're home and better.

Re: I'm Confused

software — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:54:45 GMT

@Group 5 minus 1 wrote:
Medical staff afraid of being sued. Health event? You sound like a marketing person.

I don't know what else to call it

What do you suggest?

Re: I'm Confused

manny2 — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 14:05:16 GMT

You were not feeling well so, maybe it was your perception that they were interrogating you.

If not, then they were out of line. If you did have a cognitive issue, firing questions would make you fearful, and overwhelmed. They should know that.

At that point they should have had a social worker come and speak to you. If you needed surgery the goal should have been to find the closest contact.

Re: I'm Confused

wagirl — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 14:11:52 GMT

I just went

thru kind of the same thing--I tripped and fell and broke my ankle a few weeks ago--I was home alone and had to drag myself a few feet to reach my cell phone and call 911. I was in extreme pain that made talking to 911 even harder but I got thru that and was taken to the ER where I had to answer most the questions you were asked over and over. but the Er staff was great, After surgery I was also given a fall risk bracelet as I am a fall risk with that broken ankle and was asked those questions again many times too--I am 68 and they thought I hit my head on something, which I didn't, but had to tell them that over and over again. but I was not labeled confused. I understand what you went thru and there are always going to be "rough" drs who aren't very versed in bedside matters--my dr is sort of that way too. Very different from when emergencies happened in our younger days--not sure how to stop that--I guess if they get the job done then thats the name of the game---Have to say --my mom was a horrible patient and so hard to deal with for the medical staff no matter what they tried to do for her---mean and nasty and rude--nothing could be done to stop her---had to apologize all the time for her behavior--glad you are home and try not to let this get to you.

Re: I'm Confused

rockygems123 — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 14:26:17 GMT

@wagirl

Off the subject but wondered how is your recovery, can you put weight on your foot with a cast or boot?

I broke my ankle 2 days ago on a trip and will have first consult with the ortho tomorrow. Did you have surgery soon after breaking it?

I agree, it's a painful one!

Re: I'm Confused

wagirl — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 14:46:46 GMT

@rockygems123 ---oh I am so sorry!!! I broke mine on the 12th of this month and got in to see my surgeon on the 14th--then had surgery on the 18th--so yes it was pretty fast. am totally non weight bearing and will be for the next 6 weeks at least....... Asolutely no walking on that foot at all!!!............ I go in this coming Monday for post op appt and will see if I can transition from this splint to a boot. I am in a wheelchair now but have a knee scooter, a walker and crutches--and I suggest you get all those things now.--you can rent them all per month. I use the wheelchair the most and the crutches as well but only a little. the walker is going back and hopefully the knee scooter will allow more freedom. Yesterday was the first day since the 12th, that I took only tylenol a few times for the pain. Was taking an opioid with it but don't need that now. DD and I live together and she works so I am here by myself but manage just fine. showers are a real challenge--got a shower chair that helps immensly and a hand held shower installed and a vinyl boot like thing that you put over your foot and leg with the cast of splint on it, that keeps the water out--it is the best thing ever and a grabber too--my new best friend.

good luck !!