This time it's me

[Singer]

Actually Debbe, a friend of mine who's a nurse came up for a few days to be with me during the daytimes when my husband had to go back home. She wasn't allowed to officially act as a nurse (without a NY license) but she kept an eye on things, and she witnessed a few incidents that made her mad enough to write a formal letter of complaint. We got a letter of apology from some administrator with the explanation that they were in a "period of flux, short-staffed," blah, blah etc. etc.

That said, if I ever had to have surgery again, I would still go to HSS because they are clean (incredibly low infection rates), orthopedic surgery is all they do, and they know what they're doing. I would just make sure I had someone with me at all times to advocate for me.

[lisa7]

Oh my god!!!! I can totally relate to the horror stories of the nurses at HSS. Thank GOD my sister was with me the whole time I was in the hospital. She's a nurse and although she isn't licensed in NY state she was very helpful when the nurses didn't respond. She also advocated for me in a lot of situations. The night nurses in the PACU were totally unprofessional!! I honestly wonder how they even became nurses and why would the hospital even hire them!!! My room in the PACU was right in front of the nurses station and when I would press my call button not one nurse would come over. It would take almost an hour to get my meds at night. I begged my surgeon to get me out of there but because of my chest tube I couldn't leave. I have soooooo many stories from being in the PACU it's unbelievable. My husband wants to write a letter to the president of the hospital. My sister was appalled at the way they treated patients in the PACU. Once I was moved to my room it was much better. The nurses were attentive and for the most part timely when it came to my meds. I wish I had a private nurse while in the PACU. I honestly think it would have helped with my recovery while in there. : (

[loves to skate]

Lisa,

Your husband should absolutely write a letter to the President or CEO or the hospital. It is the only way anything gets changed. It has to be in writing.

I guess I was lucky at the NE Baptist. The nurses were great and I was alone much of the time. There were two bad snow storms while I was there and hubby couldn't make it in to see me. There were a couple of times that my meds were late, but I could tell the nurses were out straight and they got to me as soon as they could.
Sally