NHS
I’ll try and make this brief everyone as I currently lay on my back in an unused children’s ward!
I noticed something not quite right with the wound on from my TKR Dec 28. I went to GP who put me on a dose of antibiotics which did not make any difference after the 48hr period. I went back to GP who was somewhat shocked at the look of my wound
Fast forward, called through to hospital Friday 5th Jan notifying them that I was on my way. Initial wait to see triage nurse hour and a half. Pleased that I had letter of referral, was deemed important! Had bloods taken, sent back out to wait. 2hrs later called through by a ‘bone doctor’ as she described herself. I explained how I how a revision of unicompartmental to TKR Dec 15 and discharged Dec 20. Sign of infection. She took a swab and said she will need to check with her senior. Sent back to wait, bearing in mind I’m 20 days since TKR. No offer of elevation, ice, nothing!
Finally I was called through only to wait in some poky hospital room to then be told I was to be taken to a ward. Put in a wheel chair and then had to wait in the corridor whilst they found the bed. 20mins later, wheeled into the ward, unmade bed was there but they needed 20min to organise it. I have not iced or elevated for 6hrs!!
7½hrs in total I got to lay on a bed. 3 consultants came briefly and instructed a dose of IV be placed and reviewed in the morning.
Sat 5th Jan: New consultant reviewed and was to carry on dose. Now!
15:15 was taken to unused children’s ward, no bed raise, no orthopaedic specialists/nurses on hand
I have had it all. They had no record of the pain relief I was taking since leaving the Orthopaedic Centre Dec 20. They had no idea of what I have been through. It was/is a complete shambles. My wound was still weeping and it wasn’t until we demanded to see the orthopaedics did someone finally take it seriously. By this stage the stench and rotting skin was something else.
Sorry forgot to mention the nursing staff took me off the IV only for registrar to re-administer. I was then seen by a different consultant at 09:15 today and told I needed a washout. This happened at 11:00.
I awoke back on the children’s ward after being told I would be moved to orthopaedic care by the doctor. Since 11:00 I have had no contact with any person that performed the washout. Only when I asked the nurse was I able to put weight on my leg, she said no, you are on bed rest. How am I to go to the toilet? We will wheelchair you. Can I at least not have a bottle to wee in? Unbelievable!
I have been stuck on this bed with no care, administering my own pain relief due to lack of knowledge and empathy from this so called hospital. You read about these things but never expect it to happen to you. I have tried to make this as brief as I can! Sorry to bore you if you got to the end but this has been an experience I will never forget. Apparently I someone will speak to me tomorrow AM.
Couple of extras: IV put in 2hrs late did not have enough. There is plenty more, please feel free to ask any questions no matter how ridiculous because it has probably happened to me.
Must not forget....initial swab lost!
Attached is the photo of the wound when we had to demand to see someone related to orthopaedics last night!
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United Kingdom
