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My experience was very positive

Posted By oscarnt43

"My experience was very positive"

About: Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Cardiology

(as a service user),

I experienced palpitations with partial collapse mid May. I contacted my GP surgery the day after. Receptionist took my details and referred me to the phone number of the Nurse Triage Service in Omagh. I described the incident again and was asked to wait. After consultation the triage nurse offered me a choice of 4 appointment choices for that afternoon at Altnagelvin Hospital. 

I confirmed my choice and she gave me directions and informed me that Ciara would be waiting for me there. Upon arrival I was welcomed by Ciara and her colleague who completed a series of tests and observations. Their questioning was well focused and allowed me to tell my story as accurately as possibly. At each stage I was fully informed and reassured when necessary. The atmosphere in the unit was relaxed and supportive.  Having gathered all the necessary information a blood test was submitted for analysis prior to final recommendations from the consultant.

The whole process was smooth and relaxed. At all times I was treated with courtesy and kindness. The nurses in the unit were very professional and supportive. Their work was completed in a systematic and methodical manner.

But I waited for 3 hours for the results of my blood analysis to be available for final diagnosis and discharge. Sincere apologies were offered by the nurses on several occasions  because of a situation that they could not influence. On balance, my experience was very positive.

The new arrangements worked very well and should provide valuable learning opportunities for the future. 

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Responses

Response from Andrew Fleming, Chest Pain Nurse, Acute Services Cardiology Altnagelvin Hospital, WHSCT 3 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Andrew Fleming
Chest Pain Nurse, Acute Services Cardiology Altnagelvin Hospital,
WHSCT

In short I am part of a team of experienced Cardiology nurses that assess patients referred with Cardiac conditions and in conjunction with a cardiologist provide assessments/ investigations and arrange treatments as needed.

Submitted on 22/06/2020 at 17:33
Published on Care Opinion on 23/06/2020 at 16:37

picture of Andrew Fleming

Hello oscarnt43,

Thank you for getting in touch to tell your positive story.

As a member of the Cardiology Assessment Hub team this feedback goes a long way to help us deliver a service that is appropriate to our patients. I am pleased that you found our service delivery 'relaxed and supportive' as this is what as nurses we strive to be for all our patients.

I again would have to apologize for the wait for the results of your blood tests, and as you alluded to, it is unfortunately a situation that is outside of our control, sometimes.

What happens normally is that we send our bloods via a small bore air transit system to our laboratory. Once there, they are given to the appropriate lab and placed on the appropriate analyzer. after a period of time the results are ready, they get vetted and verified and are released electronically to us.

I cannot say what happened exactly in your case but delays in us getting the results can be due to a breakdown in the transit system or an analyzer issue. We have started recording how long our patients are waiting and what the cause of the delays are with a view to addressing the delays.

I am glad you prefer the new arrangements. As a team we feel the new arrangements work well also.

Many thanks

Andrew.

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Response from Andrew Fleming, Chest Pain Nurse, Acute Services Cardiology Altnagelvin Hospital, WHSCT 3 years ago
We have made a change
Andrew Fleming
Chest Pain Nurse, Acute Services Cardiology Altnagelvin Hospital,
WHSCT

In short I am part of a team of experienced Cardiology nurses that assess patients referred with Cardiac conditions and in conjunction with a cardiologist provide assessments/ investigations and arrange treatments as needed.

Submitted on 22/07/2020 at 20:34
Published on Care Opinion at 22:08

picture of Andrew Fleming

oscarnt43,

As a follow up to my previous response:

We have liaised with our laboratory staff and have highlighted ways to expedite results that are sent to the labs, equipment breakdowns excluded.

We are also looking at new equipment that can help give us results of one of the specific tests we require in a faster period of time.

Kind regards,

Andrew

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