Nancy said:
I say, do the right thing for your mom, and let the pros work out the details. If some of them don't like the arrangement, then find someone else.
Your mom's life is more important than the politics of getting treatment.
Nancy, you banged that nail on the head
Well, yesterday was a small nightmare. But there is a ray of sunshine. Got up to local hospital, nurse immediately approaches me and asks me what's going on with NW? I said "I was hoping you could tell me that." She said nurses on mom's floor didn't know anything, she informed me it's my job to coordinate transport, etc. (exact opposite of what ER doc downstairs said, but I have to roll with it.) She said by they way, she had orders from cardio to discharge my mother if she walked OK. My jaw dropped. I'm sitting there looking at my mother, short of breath, weak and exhausted. After weeks of ER visits, days of lack of sleep, politics, egos, my emotions started to boil over. I asked her for the tranport #, went outside, started making calls. Everything went wrong at first. I was looking for a lady at NW named Mary who worked in transport. No one heard of her. Bounced to 3 departments, I got another Mary in a department that had nothing to do with anything. That woman was an angel, she listened to my story, heard the tears starting to well up, and she got me right through to an emergency cardiac nurse who put me through to Dr. B's nurse (whom I've not been able to reach in person so far). Nurse told me she'd update Dr. B right away, someone would call back. After an hour on pins and needles, Dr B himself called me back. I told him everything. Told him if they discharge my mom, we'll be back in ER in no time. He tells me yes, wheels are in motion and my mother is #3 on transport list. Told him I was ready to put her in car and drive straight up to their ER. But he said bringing her to NW via ER is worst way to get admitted. Said for speed it's either medical transport or outpatient appt. He asked my mother's condition and symptoms. He said he'd look into matters and someone would call me back. Soon one of his Fellows called. He happened to be the Dr on call at NW this weekend whom local ER doc spoke to and also happened to be in office at my mom's last check at NW and remembered us. (Did you ever meet someone you just know is going to shine in their chosen profession? ) I owe him a bear hug when I see him next (and told him so)! He asked for my mother's MDs phone numbers, and started making calls, and he got assurance that they would keep her there and watch her till a bed opens up. But he didn't stop there, he called me back and asked me get a nurse and he spoke to her and made sure that an order to stay was in writing in my mom's chart (it was not at the time he called.) Am sure he made more calls to get it in writing, because she's resting comfortably, no threat of discharge, being monitored, and we're just waiting for a bed. In a kind and unassuming manner he just plowed right through the red tape and made things happen. What a gem!
In the past few days I have seen negative behavior in professionals that has left me shocked and I've encountered angels of mercy. When this is all said and done there will be some local "personnel changes", already have names of local cardio and internists lined up. "Pride goeth before a fall" keeps ringing in my ears. I hope no patient suffers critically from the inevitable mismanagement crisis that is looming. (I am hearing more rumblings, said in hushed tones and whispers while looking over shoulders, that we are not the only ones to encounter this attitude. My DH insists higher ups need made aware, I will address that after my mother is in the clear and in better hands.)
So my mom's hanging in there. Thanks for listening, it keeps me sane
