I was admitted as a day case for an Arthroscopy on my right knee after having ACL reconstruction last year which hadn’t relieved my symptoms. The quality of care was good however there was just a few things that didn’t add up. I was asked about the possibility of being pregnant and I said that it wasn’t possible at all, however the nurse said she needed to check with the Anaesthetist as to whether I needed to take a test which was completely fine and I understood. However she never came back to tell me the result of that conversation. And then when I was being taken to theatre, I was told I had singed something that declined a pregnancy test which I hadn’t, I had signed to say there was not a possibility I could be pregnant. Additionally, after my surgery, I pressed the bell twice and had to wait well over 10 minutes for a nurse to come. The first time I had been sick and the second time I was ready to be discharged. After the second time a nurse came and said that she would be sending someone else to come and discharge me with some forms. I waited 30 minutes for this and the senior nurse that came was quite blunt when I had asked her what the surgeon had done. She said that all she knew was what had been discussed with me prior to surgery, however my surgeon was not entirely sure what would be done as it depended on what else had been found via the arthroscopy. I asked if I could have any more anti sickness tablets and she said she would go and ask, however did not return after 15 minutes so I left. Overall I am happy with the care I received, however I think there was just a few small things that could be changed to improve patient care like more communication between nurses as I was seen by 5 different ones (most of whom asked the same questions). This was particularly prominent when I had told them all that I had a screw in my knee from the previous ACL surgery (done at the exact same hospital with the same surgeon) and they all acted shocked and said they needed to inform other staff, which you would think would be in my medical records. Additionally, I think if the surgeon cannot come and visit you after surgery to explain what had been done, then they need to detail what they did to a nurse or other medical staff so the patient isn’t left wondering what had happened as for me, the goal of the surgery wasn’t black and white due to several complications with my knee.
"Good quality of care, but could be better"
About: Highfield Hospital Highfield Hospital Rochdale OL11 4LZ
Posted via nhs.uk
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