HOSPITAL EVENT MARCH - APRIL 2014
Al Bliss

The purpose of this effort is to make sure that all citizens (Darke County and Columbus) are fully aware that changes have occurred in the process of your health care effective January 1, 2014 (maybe everyone knew this but I sure did not) and to offer a series of events that lead to many new bits/bytes of knowledge you may find of value.

With a very few exceptions, names have been omitted because of an inability to remember all involved and not wanting to miss someone important.  Sorry.

March 28, 2014 –

            8:30 A.M.       I was met at the entrance door to my Primary Physician, Dr. Hawley, office by two associates with a blood oxygen monitor. Walked into and down a hall with the associates and was told when I sat down that my Oxygen level was 80. Explained why I was GREY. By 0850 my detailed Medical History was completed and a copy given to me to be presented to Wayne Medical Center emergency upon my arrival as soon as possible.

9:00 A.M.  After only a couple of minutes, I was lead into the emergency area and immediately armed with a nasal device that pushed O2 in my nose.

9:00 to approximately 11:45 A.M. – responded to a detailed –stress detailed – review of my health record. Although I had presented Dr. Hawley’s document, the process continued with my wife’s assistance, only interpreted by the instillation of an Inter Venous (IV) device in my right arm at the elbow and two contacts with the duty emergency Doctor.  I was advised that I would be transferred to the Hospital when a room was ready.

2:45 P.M. Moved to room 305-2 

3:00 to 4:40 P.M.--- while in bed, a nurse (a lady in white so I thought a nurse) repeated the acquisition of my medical history. This history again contained the daily prescriptions directed for consumption morning and night that I have been used to taking and that have been effectively maintaining a relatively stable blood pressure.

5:00 P.M.       The lady in white returned and again reviewed by prescriptions. Confirming the previous information presented.

            SIDE NOTE: I later learned that personnel could be identified by the color of their uniforms. That is the reason for the term lady in white because I do not remember which category she represented. I did clearly and vocally present my displeasure by being identified as needing a “controlled carb” diet because of a suger condition  -- WRONG!!.

9 :00 P.M.      I questioned my duty nurse (in blue) regarding the one evening medication (blood pressure) and was told that no prescription had been written by a HOUSE DOCTOR for any prescription.

            SIDE NOTE: I had been increasingly irritated during the day by the continuing repeated interrogations regarding my health status over the years and at this point in time used my lap top to vent but at my wife’s insistence simply keep it on my computer.

The following is a date time sequence that reflects applicable events over a basic seventeen day span. To access this information, CLICK HERE.

SIDE NOTE: From the first person that I saw totally cleaning half a room after a patient was discharged, the ladies that cleaned the floor and disinfected the room, to the chipper lady that tended me as an assistant to my Nurse, to the many beautiful refreshing ladies who were kind and gentle while trying to put in one of many IVs, to the student that was concerned about my dry feet and rubbed them with lotion and to the Doctor and the Physician’s Assistances that gave me good information and excellent face time until the day that I was discharged  --- you are the essence of Wayne and have demonstrated the best of the Health Care Profession.

NOW: QUESTIONS

Ø  Why were the prescriptions directed by my Primary Physician ignored?

Answer: Wayne Health Center ____________

Ø  What happened to the Ohio State Health Center Doctor’s diagnosis that Albert M. Bliss, (the patient) had a lung infection on March 19? The information was presented as an incidental on a March 31 by phone.

Answer: Ohio State Medical Center ____________

Ø   What is the justification for excluding the Primary Physician from contact with the patient at Wayne?  Has the public been made aware of this policy?

Answers: Wayne Health Center ____________ & ______________

Ø  Could the Sleep Apnea treatment with the nightly intense humidifier involvement have been a root cause of the chronic  (long involved) lung infection.?

Answer: Responsible Doctor _______________

This is intentionally a public document for the benefit of all folks needing health care but with a special voice for the senior citizens in Darke County. I have previously mentioned to others that I find the quality of care to be good if not excellent  but that I consider the POLICIES IN PLACE should be made clear and reasonable not redundant..

A lesson from church today   -- EACH OF US IS RESPONSIBLE!

Al Bliss

______________________________________________________

Background information:

Let us start with a few recorded facts:

March 18, 2014 – Ohio State University Medical Center follow up appointment with Dr. Vicaro to monitor operation results from aneurism repair. The CT scan was taken without contrast.

March 19, 2014 – Dr..Vicaro sent report to Dr.Kassis, a thoracic surgeon, to look at a spot and determine a coarse of action.

Mach 20, 2014 --- OSU telecom re appointment

March 24. 2014 ---- A tentative appointment was scheduled at OSU for 9:45 a.m.

March 25, 26, 27--- progressively more - GREY    My wife, Lyn, made an appointment with my long term personal physician, Dr. Lyn Hawley for Friday March 28 at 0830.

March 29       Very little change on Saturday, but did receive the blood pressure meds in the morning. In the afternoon, a lady with a most colorful uniform entered the room and I discovered that she was a Repertory Therapist (RT). Another RT, gentleman, also tended me with skill and professionalism that was most appreciated. She did stress the need for proper performance on my part during the procedure to correct my lung condition.

            SIDE NOTE: The IV installed in emergency failed and was replaced with an IV in my left hand which also failed but left me with a very unique large hand because the lactose continued to run. These notes are items that I remember but am not sure of the times.

March 30       In the morning I did receive my meds and continued on O2 with treatments for a lung infection but other than feeling a little better was still a bit GREY. In the afternoon, the RT lady returned and proclaimed something must change to get this guy on the recovery track (my words). After a few hours, I do not know how many, a revised program was started that included a significant diuretic (dewatering) and a change in meds.  This started around 2115 with amazing results and quantities. After approximately six hours, my O2 levels had improved to essentially normal, my ability to sleep was marvelous and according to others, I even had some color -- NO LONGER GREY.

March 31       My wife received a telephone inquiry from Ohio State Medical Center regarding establishing the needed appointment for my Ct Scan with needle biopsy. As I understand it, in the conversation, the fact that a lung infection had been identified by the specialist on March 19 but no response had been received. This was the first notification of this information.  Only twelve (12) days after the fact.

April 1 through April 3         I was Improving but still not able to met the cut line to permit discharge. During these three days, as I think I was mending, many friends and my Pastor visited which helped but I also was able to better appreciate the quality and warmth of the people attending me.

April 4             Based on a series of very simple tests related to ability to have a set level of O2 when at rest and an adequate recovery rate of O2 after exercise plus an acceptable level of white cells in my blood, it was determined that I could be discharged.  This occurred at 2:05 P.M. after a brief but successful interaction between a friend from Medicine and More (Oxygen generator source) and an attentive knowledgeable PA, unplanned but a God Send.