Hospital Policy almost killed my mom. - Stroke Message Board

Lisa_P · 11-13-2006, 09:09 AM

My mom (73 now) had stroke almost three and a half years ago. We have all sorts of questions and regrets --"why didn't this or that happen in the hospital?" "why wasn't the PAD treated" (one PA picked up on it, but never followed through)" ET CETERA!! Hindsight sucks.

I think the main problem was that 911 really didn't help. My brother had her in an ambulance withing 20 minutes or so of the stroke/heart attack-- that story was a miracle in itself-- but what good did it do?? The doctor and nurses at the hospital didn't DO anything. The ambulance people weren't ALLOWED to do anything. Not even an aspirin! And THEN the hospital had to transfer her to a cardiac unit of a larger hospital, so THAT hospital -- an hour and a half away-- had to send THEIR ambulance to come get her. Why couldn't the local hospital say to my brother that she needed to get to this other hospital and the quickest way would be for him to just take her himself. As it was, her "critical care" was postponed nearly 4 hours! And the local hospital doctor KNEW it was a stroke, and don't all doctors know a stroke must be treated quickly?!?! The only explanation we ever got was that she was treated according to "hospital policy."

So. She sits in her wheelchair, paralysed on the right side, and feeling like her life is over. I want to help, but I'm not even living in the same state anymore! How can I keep this from happening to others?

plasva · 11-15-2006, 11:45 PM

I am very sad for your mother

I don't know the protocol for treating strokes, but after my grandmother had one, there wasn't much the hospital could do but monitor it. It took many many hours (over 24) for a neurologist to see her, for reasons I still don't understand.
But apparently, once the brain has been damaged from a blockage, treatment would be to minimize the chances of another stroke, and it's "wait and see" as far as the results of the stroke (not much can be done to prevent the symptoms, such as paralysis.)

You could try to talk to a lawyer who specializes in medical cases to find out whether a standard of care was breached. Maybe someone here will have some idea why things were done this way at this hospital?

My heart goes out to you and your mother.

lauren2404 · 11-26-2006, 09:29 AM

Hi, I am really sorry to hear of your frustration. I can kind of relate to what you are saying. My father suffered a major stroke last year as he was getting up to go to work. My mum acted quickly and called an ambulance, which arrived in 10 minutes and got my dad to the hospital within an hour. I don't know how they treat strokes in the USA, but here in England there's a new drug available (can't remember the name but it begins with an R) and if u administer the drug within 4 hours since the stroke started, it reverses the symptoms of the stroke so you are less likely to suffer paralysis/sight loss or whatever symptoms occur due to the stroke.
But although my dad got to the hospital wihtin an hour of the stroke, because it took so long for the doctor and stroke co-ordinator to do anything, by the time something could be done 5 hours had past! And my dad was unable to be prescribed the drug.
This was very frustrating as we was waiting at the hospital for hours, knowing very well he had suffered a stroke. He has now lost half his vision, which could of been prevented had he been seen in time.
I felt like complaining to the hospital, but didn't end up doing it. But sometimes there are situations that can't be avoided. Don't let it get to you, concentrate on your mum's recovery, it'll only make you more angry the more you think of it.
xx

Lisa_P · 11-26-2006, 10:31 AM

Has anyone heard if constraint induced therapy (it's called something like that) can help someone who has total paralysis of a limb? I know if they have partial use of the limb, this helps them regain some functionality. We can't get her into a formal study or program BECAUSE she has no use of the arm or leg, but I'm thinking just the repeated EFFORT would help rewire the brain. So I've told her to fix up a sling and TRY to do something for 20 minutes to an hour every day-- even just concentrating on holding something. Any ideas?

DVD · 11-28-2006, 06:23 PM

I'm living overseas debating going home for better medical treatment. I had to go to another country to get attention after a TIA.

The first clinic sent me home. The next day a hostpital noted the infarct on a CT and let me drive off (an hour) to my doctor.

My case wasn't as serious, but it's clearly hard to get a sense of urgency in some people.