My partner has been in for spinal fusion and I have been less than impressed at the levels of communication and care he has received. He was catheterised during surgery but suffered trauma in the process. Initially they explained he would be scanned the following morning as he was bleeding both through the tube and externally into his lap. Through the night my partner suffered a clot which was causing pressure to build and try to remove itself, through the pain of the surgery and his movement limitations he was unable to move or use his call button. The nurses had been in regularly but this occurred during shift change over and for 1 hour he was laid stuck in a position and bleeding and unable to call for help. His condition didn't improve leading to sheets being changed multiple timesites through the night but no further action. The following morning I called at 6.45am for an update on the bleeding. They failed to inform me of what had happened playing it down. He was at that point still to have a scan. During the morning my partner sent pictures of his bleeding which was not seeming to stop. He was told that they thought the catheter had gone into his prostate so with this I wanted to know more from them myself. I was calling the ward for over 4 hours each time it either ringing out or when reception answered I was told there was no one to talk to at this time. My partner messaged again to say he wasn't scanned but they 'thought' it was OK even though he was still bleeding. I eventually got through to the nurses and questioned what was going on. He had been bleeding steadily for 24 hours and they had no certainty what was bleeding which was just unacceptable to me. I also questioned why I wasn't being informed of the complications be that initially or ongoing. I asked about the implications for further infection and also fertility and all they could say was 'we don't think it's an issue". By the end of that day more standards were slipping, the nurses seemed short on the ground and pain relief was being delayed causing issues. He wasn't cleaned up until into his second day of stay, the bleeding had apparently stopped yet they left a blood filled catheter in so we couldn't be sure. On day three they removed the catheter but the clots mean he still can't pass urine so is delaying his exit. Again we are having to ask for pain relief rather that get it freely and it's the same for information, today the nurse hasn't been in to check in him they aren't even coming when the bell is rung I am going out to her. All in all I am less than impressed that this is causing more complications to his recovery and the best bit is no one has said sorry!
"Care and consideration distinctly lacking"
About: Musgrove Park Hospital / Trauma & Orthopaedics Musgrove Park Hospital Trauma & Orthopaedics Taunton TA1 5DA
Posted via nhs.uk
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