"Discharge without anti-clotting drugs"

I was discharged without Clexane being issued for self-administration.

Contacted key worker about this after discharge. Three days after discharge received a phone call from the hospital concerned to say they had been in touch with my GP and that I was to attend my GP surgery in order to get hold of the Clexane.

Eventually started the injections on the 4th day after discharge. I was not particularly concerned about this at the time since I am relatively young, had a laparoscopic procedure and was mobile from the day after my discharge.

I did not make an official complaint to the hospital concerned at the time, but maybe should have. I would be very concerned if this were to be repeated in the case of an elderly, less mobile patient. However, I also have heard from another member of my family who was treated at another hospital that they too were discharged without Clexane and it was only when their daughter, a hospital nurse, questioned this that they reported the omission. I am contributing this in order to alert patients and their carers to the fact that although a discharge sheet with medications is prepared and signed by two members of staff (often a registrar and a nurse) there may be mistakes and these should be questioned. The more I speak to people about their hospital experiences, the more I realise that the patient has to push and push again for information.