Emergency Room Redux

I'm not supposed to be here.  I'm supposed to be basking in the glow of a family visit, silently seething and composing blog posts in my head about how my family just doesn't get me or how I don't get them and how absurd that  is since I'm almost 40, but instead I'm here.

The Girl is sick--rotavirus maybe.  We're going back to the doctor in a little while to find out for sure.   She started throwing up on Friday night--unfortunately a few hours after she fell and hit her head.  Yes again.  I took her to the ER to rule out a concussion.  That--or worse--was indeed ruled out, but it was not a good experience.

To the Surly Woman at the Registration Desk--Do not expect sympathy from patients when you complain about how busy you are yet you take time  to change the television in the waiting room to something you would like to watch.  Having to endure "Scrubs" reruns is not in itself deserving of pity.

To the Triage Nurse--When your patient who has brought her 10 month old daughter in with a bump on the head has answered no to the question, "Is there any domestic violence in the home?" do not make the joke, "Except when it comes to your daughter."  It's not funny.

To the First Resident--Do not touch the bump on a child's head and declare, "I've never felt anything like that before."  Do not tell the child's mother that she's "probably fine," then draw the polyester curtain and step a foot and a half away and tell the attending that you suspect a skull fracture and think your patient's mother cannot hear you.

To Environmental Services--Do not bitch and moan about having to mop up vomit from the floor next to a child's crib when mother and child are both covered in copious amounts of same. 

To the Second Resident--When the child is strapped down for her CAT scan and crying piteously, do not turn to the child's mother and say, "The crying breaks my heart."

To the First Resident--Do not tell a mother,  "This is my first day here; I don't usually work with kids," after you've been caring for her child for the last 6 hours.  The mother will not be filled with confidence about the care her child has received.

To the Discharge Office--Do not give out discharge papers that tell the parent to call the ER if the child develops a fever within 24 hours of being discharged and then include a non-working phone number for ER.

Comments

[Jenn]

I hope they send you a patient satisfaction survey!

[libby]

I was standing in the hall at 5:30 in the morning, telling the resident what the course of action would be in regards to my child's pain meds and oxygen levels, when it occurred to me that I WAS AN ENGLISH MAJOR.

Jesus. They just don't think, do they?

So sorry - hope all is well wtih The Girl.

[electriclady]

Ugh. NYC ERs are hell on earth. Hope all is well with the Girl.

[marie baguette]

I hope the Girl is better. This might cheer you up: I saw someone in Park Slope this week end with 2 kids, about the same age as the Girl and the Boy and the same hair as yours. I had to ask "Are you the blogger BrooklynGirl?". She said no, but I am still wondering if it was not you!!!
Also, I am thinking of switching RE because of insurance. Anyone you recommend??

[thalia]

Ugh it sounds awful. Why are doctors so useless sometimes?

[Erin]

Oh no, what an awful experience for all of you! I hope she is better soon, and you can all get the copious amounts of vomit cleaned off for good.

[caramama]

That just sucks! What is wrong with people?!?!

I hope the Girl is feeling better and that everything is okay. I hope you are doing alright, too.

[Jill]

I'm sorry it was such an awful trip. I hope she is on the mend, and stops bumping her head.

[Jill]

Oh no--what a mess!!! I'm so sorry you had to deal with such incompetent freaks...like you weren't worried enough. I would just cut and paste the personalized messages on your blog if/when they send you a hospital survey!

I sincerely hope The Girl is feeling better.

If you have time, check out last week's BSG for a good pick-me-up. It was actually even better than the first episode...holy frack!!!

[Monica]

I'm so sorry -- that sounds truly awful. I hope the girl is ok.

[Lydia]

Let me guess. Methodist? The ER there is like a play hospital -- no one ever on duty knows what they're doing.

[Lydia]

Methodist? They are truly awful.

[Sherry]

Oh, sweet lady. I'm so, so sorry. Thinking of you tonight...

[midlife mommy]

Oh, what an awful experience. I hope everything is OK.

[Brooklyn Mama]

Ugh - that sounds terrible. I hope the little one is on the mend and that YOU are recovering from the ER trauma. I've spent many a trying time in the Methodist ER. It's the pits.

[Megan]

I'm so, so sorry - these stomach things come on so suddenly and strongly, and dealing with an incompetent hospital is just beyond what you should have to be going through right now. I hope she's feeling better soon and that someone can help take good care of you. Sending lots of sympathy...

[Kath]

God, how awful. Awful. Who are those morons, and what are they doing working at a hospital?

I fervently hope Girl is on the mend now. And I feel so sorry for you, having to go through all that. Take care.

[SarcastiCarrie]

Here's the advice...acetominophen suppositories to keep the fever and pain down when nothing is staying down (brand: Fever-All, available at Walgreen's and probably elsewhere too...I was amazed that the first three doctors we saw did not mention them. Fourth doctor was the charm.)

For the ensuing and inevitable diaper rash, I like Flander's ointment (available behind the pharmacy counter without a prescription).

Best of luck. And I hope it's not rotavirus.

[Dee]

Dear sweet jebus. I'm so sorry you and the Girl had to deal with such blatant incompetence and insensitivity. Ah, emergency medical care, how sweet are thee?

Hope the Girl is recovering and that no one else in the BG household is stricken with the yuck.

P.S. Glad to hear that the bump was not a fracture, concussion, or anything...and as for the woman who questioned you on domestic violence? I'd have lost my shit; you, my dear, are a much better gal than I.

[Kristin]

A. I hope the Girl is feeling better soon, and that you're having a better day.

B. Never mind a survey or a letter. Just print what you wrote here and find the right office to send it to. 'Nuff said.

Best wishes to you all -

[KidKate]

Ack! So sorry! Especially about that first resident, good lord.

[AmyinMotown]

UGH. You poor thing.

[Sarah]

Good God! That's all awful stuff! You poor thing (both of you...)

[Bobbi]

So sorry you and The Girl had to go through all that...here's hoping everyone is feeling much better now....

[Kristin]

Hi again -

It occurs to me that maybe the "The crying breaks my heart" person was trying to be sympathetic?? It may not have been the right thing to say to the MOM at that particular moment...but maybe it was meant kindly? (I wasn't there, so I can't judge tone and facial expression.) The better thing to say might have been more like, "It breaks my heart, and I know it must break yours even more -- but she's doing great, and we'll be done soon."

Still sending good wishes and healthy vibes -