topic Re: Hospital stay in Community Chat

Hospital stay

Group 5 minus 1 — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 17:21:07 GMT

Haven't stayed over night in a hospital in years. Had to a few weeks ago. I was surprised at the many changes. Everyone has a private room. You order your own food (kinda like room service in a hotel) and you still don't get much rest. I had an MRI at 3 AM. Boy was I glad to get home!

Re: Hospital stay

GCR18 — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 17:31:18 GMT

I had the same experience in May, except I was woken up at 4am to stand and take a few steps. A hospital never sleeps.

Re: Hospital stay

Constance2 — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 17:39:15 GMT

I know...many changes have taken place in hospital care since I had my children forty plus years ago. Now, privacy is almost nonexistent in the operating rooms, so when you check in, your modesty is forced to check out. Also, after surgery, you are lined up on gurneys like pieces of meat while they wait for you to come out of anesthesia. And we're paying so much for all this, why????

In great pain after major surgery, I was placed in a room to where my roommate wasn't expected to survive until morning. There was a monitor that sounded loudly whenever her blood pressure or breathing went below a certain level. This happened every few minutes ALL NIGHT long. I didn't want to complain, because I felt compassion for the person, but the nurses should have moved me or the other patient to another room. I didn't get any sleep that night, and it made the pain worse.

On a positive note, my roommate survived the night and began to improve in health after prayer.

Re: Hospital stay

brii — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 17:36:17 GMT

Our hospital looks like a hotel. Lol. All the rooms are private and you can order meals like room service. There is a recliner and a couch that turns into a bed for family members to stay over. Each floor has several lounge areas for large groups of relatives. It's much nicer nowadays

Re: Hospital stay

June222 — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 17:40:54 GMT

Who needs modesty when you are unconscious during surgery....or going into surgery? Check that at the hospital entrance....modesty is the last thing you need.

Re: Hospital stay

tansy — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 17:50:37 GMT

You're on a gurney in recovery so you can be transported to your room easily.

Hospital stays are much more accommodating than 20 years ago but I'm still eager to be set free to go home.

Re: Hospital stay

151949 — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 18:15:25 GMT

@Constance2 wrote:
I know...many changes have taken place in hospital care since I had my children forty plus years ago. Now, privacy is almost nonexistent in the operating rooms, so when you check in, your modesty is forced to check out. Also, after surgery, you are lined up on gurneys like pieces of meat while they wait for you to come out of anesthesia. And we're paying so much for all this, why????

In great pain after major surgery, I was placed in a room to where my roommate wasn't expected to survive until morning. There was a monitor that sounded loudly whenever her blood pressure or breathing went below a certain level. This happened every few minutes ALL NIGHT long. I didn't want to complain, because I felt compassion for the person, but the nurses should have moved me or the other patient to another room. I didn't get any sleep that night, and it made the pain worse.

On a positive note, my roommate survived the night and began to improve in health after prayer.

Several years ago I had orthopedic surgery and had to stay in the hospital until I could get around on crutches. My room mate had fallen and broken her hip , she had altzheimers and would scream from dusk to dawn endlessly. I begged for them to move me or her to another room. I couldn't sleep during the day because I had rehab so after 3 days and nights of no sleep and them refusing to move me I signed myself out of that hospital.

Re: Hospital stay

Plaid Pants2 — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 18:28:13 GMT

For the past 365 days, my dad has been in and out of hospitals, and his room was never private.

They did give him a menu to choose his meals though.

Re: Hospital stay

hckynutjohn — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 00:19:44 GMT

@Constance2 wrote:
I know...many changes have taken place in hospital care since I had my children forty plus years ago. Now, privacy is almost nonexistent in the operating rooms, so when you check in, your modesty is forced to check out. Also, after surgery, you are lined up on gurneys like pieces of meat while they wait for you to come out of anesthesia. And we're paying so much for all this, why????

In great pain after major surgery, I was placed in a room to where my roommate wasn't expected to survive until morning. There was a monitor that sounded loudly whenever her blood pressure or breathing went below a certain level. This happened every few minutes ALL NIGHT long. I didn't want to complain, because I felt compassion for the person, but the nurses should have moved me or the other patient to another room. I didn't get any sleep that night, and it made the pain worse.

On a positive note, my roommate survived the night and began to improve in health after prayer.

Glad you had something positive to say. Spent lots of time in 3 different hospitals in ths last 13 years. Days turned into weeks during most of those stays and 99% of the time I found nothing to complain about.

On the other hand I had many things to praise my caretakers for during those stays. Sure, I got woken up at all hours/sure I had to wait my turn for procedural testing/sure there were times I was in pain. Did I ever feel neglected? No I did not. Did I ever feel intruded upon? No I did.

I could go on and on with the superlatives about my many long stays. I however feel I've made my point. Unlike some drivers that feel like I am intruding on "their roads", I understand while driving or during a serious hospital stay. I am not the only person on the road nor am I the only patient in a hospital needing care.

hckynut(john)

Re: Hospital stay

Cookie2025 — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 18:54:55 GMT

Actually it is really nice - your Family can also order meals (the Family/Friend pays for their meals when it arrives) too.

Re: Hospital stay

muttmom — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 18:56:45 GMT

@151949 wrote:

Several years ago I had orthopedic surgery and had to stay in the hospital until I could get around on crutches. My room mate had fallen and broken her hip , she had altzheimers and would scream from dusk to dawn endlessly. I begged for them to move me or her to another room. I couldn't sleep during the day because I had rehab so after 3 days and nights of no sleep and them refusing to move me I signed myself out of that hospital.

If you sign yourself before the hospital believes you are medically ready to be discharged, insurance will not pay. Did you pay your own bill?

Re: Hospital stay

Cookie2025 — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 18:59:14 GMT

Was there a curtain separating you from your neighbor ? Did this occur in the recovery room ? I had a horrendous experience in the recovery room at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore - it was ridiculous. The Nurse did not speak English so she could not understand what I was saying or she pretending she did not know. I asked for a menu and she threw it at me.

If you cannot understand and speak the language you should not be in a hospital. I COMPLAINED.

Re: Hospital stay

brii — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 19:13:42 GMT

We signed my father in law out of the hospital. Insurance paid for his stay up until we signed him out.

Re: Hospital stay

151949 — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 19:20:51 GMT

@muttmom wrote:
@151949 wrote:

Several years ago I had orthopedic surgery and had to stay in the hospital until I could get around on crutches. My room mate had fallen and broken her hip , she had altzheimers and would scream from dusk to dawn endlessly. I begged for them to move me or her to another room. I couldn't sleep during the day because I had rehab so after 3 days and nights of no sleep and them refusing to move me I signed myself out of that hospital.
If you sign yourself before the hospital believes you are medically ready to be discharged, insurance will not pay. Did you pay your own bill?

The insurance paid in full - no problem.

Re: Hospital stay

Gooday — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 19:31:50 GMT

Thankfully, I have not had that many hospital stays but I have had two stays due to bacterial pneumonia in 2008 and last September for other medical issues. I had two major surgeries, one on my back and a right hemi-colectomy.

With that, hospitals have come a long way and they now realize that private room cut down on the risk of infection. Is it noisy; absolutly, do aids come in at every change shift and wake you up to take your vitals; yes, they do, is the food not always the best; yep but most of the time you don't feel like eating or you may be on a liquid diet.

Let's face it, every person from the physicians/surgeons all the way to the transport aids and maintenance people are there to provide a service and they are grossly underrated at times. This I know because I worked for 25 years in a hospital setting for a surgeon who had an office attached to the hospital. They have come a long way.

You must be your own advocate and remember, talk to others like you would like to be talked to.

Re: Hospital stay

redhead65 — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 19:39:00 GMT

@hckynutjohn wrote:
@Constance2 wrote:
I know...many changes have taken place in hospital care since I had my children forty plus years ago. Now, privacy is almost nonexistent in the operating rooms, so when you check in, your modesty is forced to check out. Also, after surgery, you are lined up on gurneys like pieces of meat while they wait for you to come out of anesthesia. And we're paying so much for all this, why????

In great pain after major surgery, I was placed in a room to where my roommate wasn't expected to survive until morning. There was a monitor that sounded loudly whenever her blood pressure or breathing went below a certain level. This happened every few minutes ALL NIGHT long. I didn't want to complain, because I felt compassion for the person, but the nurses should have moved me or the other patient to another room. I didn't get any sleep that night, and it made the pain worse.

On a positive note, my roommate survived the night and began to improve in health after prayer.

Glad you had something positive to say. Spent lots of time in 3 different hospitals in ths last 13 years. Days turned into weeks during most of those stays and 99% of the time I found nothing to complain about.

On the other hand I had many things to praise my caretakers for during those stays. Sure, I got woken up at all hours/sure I had to wait my turn for procedural testing/sure there were times I was in pain. Did I ever feel neglected? No I did not. Did I ever feel intruded upon? No I did.

I could go on and on with the superlatives about my many long stays. I however feel I've made my point. Unlike some drivers that feel like I am intruding on "their roads", I understand while driving or during a serious hospital stay. I am not the only person on the road nor am I the only patient in a hospital needing care.

hckynut(john)

Dear John:

Most of us are aware of your various hospital visits and I am very proud of you for making such kind and generous statements about the staff under the pain and the conditions for which you were hospitalized. I am sorry you have had to endure all of that and all it entails.

Speaking from the staff side, from all of our doctors down to the janitorial staff, we know visits are difficult for all and we make every effort to make your stay as comfortable, caring and attentive as possible. (I can't speak for individuals, but for the medical staff in general. I know what our desired goals are and what the Hippocratic Oath means to me still after these many years.

I've been a patient a few times myself. I know of what is spoken of on this thread. But I can only urge all of you to try and see it from our side.
The majority of committed workers strive to do their very best at all times. But we are always understaffed as well. And individual personalities , etc. do come into play.
So again, from a veteran, I appreciate the accolades.

I pray also you and Cindy are doing so much better now.

Blessings.

Re: Hospital stay

Bjjo — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 19:52:23 GMT

My husband was in the hospital 10 years ago for 17 days. Private room, nurses were just the best. I slept there most of the time as we lived 1 1/2 hours from the hospital. Food was great that we ordered off the menu. The surgeon was excellent as well as his staff. I really got to know them after my husbands long stay.

I had neck surgery 10 years ago and all was smooth sailing from the very first day! This hospital is well coordinated and runs smoothly. Professional,yet personable. Yes, both times we were put in a very large , but private enough, recovery room with others that came from surgery and monitored until we woke up . Then, we were immediately moved to our regular room. We had no complaints and were impressed, grateful for the knowledgable , professional staff with a personable touch.

Re: Hospital stay

151949 — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 20:23:04 GMT

I had both my knee surgeries at a teaching hospital. Since i am a nurse both times I was assigned to a student nurse. Both young ladies were wonderful - delightful. They really made the experience so much better.

Re: Hospital stay

INDIANA BONES — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 22:10:50 GMT

I hope no one here has any hospital stays in the future. I agree that hospitals have done the best they can to make stays as pleasant as possible.. I can't express how much I appreciate all the employees of hospitals from the DR;s, RN's down to the housekeeping staff. They all contribute to our well being and I have had very few that did not seem to enjoy their jobs. Of course, as in all lines of work, there will be a bad apple in every bunch. With this said, Cheers to GOOD HEALTH to all in the coming year.

Re: Hospital stay

Group 5 minus 1 — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 22:10:55 GMT

This is not about a hospital stay but along the same lines. My M-I-L passed away about 3 weeks ago. She was in skilled nursing in a retirement home and very close to death. She had a room mate but the retirement home put the room mate somewhere else --I don't know where. We were able to spend a few minutes w/her and then hospice was there to get her ready to be transported to the funeral home of her choice. I thought it very kind of the nursing home to put the room mate somewhere else so we could have private time w/my Mother-in-Law.