"5 hour delay and “Sister-itus”"

I attended A&E at QMC at approximately 3.45am I a Wednesday morning, on what the staff called “an unusually quiet shift.”

From the on set of my symptoms approximately 12 hours earlier, I did everything correctly;

I first spoke to a pharmacist, who gave me advice and reassurance. When my symptoms worsened, my partner called 111, who escalated my call to an ambulance crew. They arranged an out of hours appointment for approximately 4 hours later. In that time I deteriorated further, and by the time I got to the appointment, it was decided A&E was necessary and in the transfer letter, it stated that due to my falling BP I would need fluids.

I attended A&E at approximately 3.45, as stated. I was struggling to stay conscious, and when the triage nurse tried to get me straight on one of 4 clear trolley in the assessment bay because of this, we were sent back into the waiting area. I felt too unsteady to stay on the chairs, so sat on the floor until called.

When I was bought through to the assessment area, I was put on a trolley that and clearly been covered in faeces no long before.

This was clear, because it still smelt like faeces 9hours later, when I was discharged, and on inspection, had faeces in the rail mechanism.

After having blood taken, I heard my nurse talking to other members of staff about the fact that I had used medical terms, and was a nurse. The nurse was unsure about whether they should continue with an aspect of my care, as I seemed too involved. Though I missed some of the conversation, I heard someone say “Oh, so she’s got “Sister-itus”?” and a followings chuckle.

What a way to boost your confidence when you’re feeling unwell and vulnerable(!)

When I was moved into the main cubicles of A&E, it felt like out of sight, out of mind. Twice when I had my obs taken, I asked about having the IV paracetamol disconnected, as it had finished over two hours prior. I also asked about the fluids, and when I would see a doctor.

No answer, no nurse, no water for 5 hours.

When I did see a doctor, at about 5.30, they asked how my first bag of fluids had gone.

I didn’t get that first bag of fluids until after the night shift handed over to the day shift, and my BP, normally a solid 120 systolic, was 82/49. (Now approximately 7.45am)

The bag didn’t run though, because my cannula hadn’t been flushed. Again, I asked twice about this, the only time I saw a staff member; when they were doing obs.

My second bag didn’t have a chance, as my cannula again went unflushed, after not being used for about 2 hours. Maybe 50ml went through, when it was announced my cannula was being removed and I was being discharged. I had managed not to throw up after eating toast; proof positive I was better!

I wasn’t told what had been wrong with me, only that it wasn’t gastroenteritis, and maybe it was coeliac.

As I gathered my things, I noticed the blood on the curtain to my cubicle, and some other bodily fluid on the wall.

Charmed, I’m sure(!)