I am very thankfully for the great care that I received from the gastro ward over the Christmas period.
I fell at home and phoned NHS 24 to arrange treatment around 7:30pm.
I alerted the clinical staff that I had a balloon PEG that was dislodged and due to over granulation I was unable to reinsert the PEG despite trying. I had however inserted a spare NG tube which is smaller into the site to try and keep the track open. I alerted the clinician to my concern that the site will close very quickly and that I needed to be seen as soon as possible.
At midnight (over 4.5 hours later) I still hadn’t received any information or phone call back from out of hours, despite clinician saying that my case was urgent and I would be contacted very soon.
At 1am, I become increasingly worried and went to A+E to seek advice and was informed that I could have a lengthy wait.
Thankfully a nurse from A+E saw me quickly and agreed that my case was urgent.
She called Ward 104 and arranged for me to be seen. Within 20 minutes I was up in the gastro ward and I received outstanding care.
I was seen by a doctor who although didn’t know much about a PEG tube, clarified that I had done the right thing but trying to keep the site open and coming to A+E. The nurse offered to try and reinsert the tube if I was willing for this to be attempted as this may result in less invasive treatment being needed by morning.
I was very thankfully to the gastro nurse (Maureen) that was reassuring and was able to reinsert the PEG into the site. It wasn’t an easy insertion as the site was closing, my site is also at an unusual angle . Although the site is sore, I am grateful that the PEG was able to be reinserted on the ward. This was much better than needing to get a gastroscope in the morning. I was thankful for the treatment on the gastro ward and was fit to go home within 90 minutes. Outstanding care from the ward 104.
Worryingly out of hours called at 5am to discuss follow up treatment. This was 9.5 hours after I called NHS 24.
I am very thankfully for ward 104 as if I had waited for out of hours I would have certainly needed the more invasive treatment. I was following NHS advice that is often shared in the media about not attending A+E unless an emergency. I completely understand the pressures on the service but I find this quite a stressful experience when I knew that I needed to be treated quickly.
I am just very grateful that A+E and ward 104 were aware that the issue needed to dealt with quickly.
"PEG reinsertion"
About: Aberdeen Health and Care Village / GMED Aberdeen Health and Care Village GMED Aberdeen AB24 5HY Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / Emergency Medicine Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Emergency Medicine AB25 2ZN Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / Gastroenterology (Stomach and Gut) Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Gastroenterology (Stomach and Gut) AB25 2ZN NHS 24 / NHS 24 (111 service) NHS 24 NHS 24 (111 service)
Posted by Bonnie46 (as ),
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