Let's continue on with my personal experience:
My first week admitted to the hospital was a bit of a blur. I remember waking up in ICU and wondering what was next. I did not have to wonder too long because I was not there fir the entire day. Then, all I remember is going to a medical floor and being so cold and just wanting to sleep. I could not stay awake no matter how hard I tried.
However, my daughter and son were with me each day and whatever I missed they knew about. The most I remember about the first week was that I was so cold. But, with four or five heart medications in my IV daily It is no wonder I was so cold.
I remember, the room was not the cleanest and the bed was a mattress with a fitted sheet and wedge of foam for a pillow. Thankfully, my husband brought my pillow from home and my son found the blanket warmer where he got warm bath towels for me to cover with.
I had several Cat scans, Clot scans. Stroke scan and an MRI. They were waiting for my brain to swell and it did not, or it did swell some and then went back down, I never found out for sure exactly what that scenario was.. The doctors seemed disappointed and confused because my brain never did swell or bleed or whatever.. I remember waking up and seeing all these foreign Doctors standing at the foot of my bed. My honest first thought was what are we all doing here? They were all far east Indian and I had no idea I was in a hospital and they were Doctors. My next awakening memory was, they were like vultures standing around my bed waiting for my brain to swell or bleed and they appeared disappointed when neither happened.
I was given a combination of antibiotics, potassium, magnesium and fluids intravenously for nine days straight. I had Statins and heart medications injected intramuscularly daily and nightly I was given a unit of Insulin after meals and Glipizide daily along with aspirin.
They seemed more concerned with the A-fib diagnosis than the stroke. The fact is they did not even treat the Hypertension at all, not did they ever discuss it at any time. I had a daily visit of foreign doctors around my bed, I even had a failed attempt of a neurologist on a TelePrompTer, then an actual virtual visit by said neurologist on the Teleprompter a couple of days before I was released. Next the American Doctor who spoke fluent English, and was a pediatrician came in my room and ordered me to take five gulps of water at every Television commercial. Now I would have been happy to do this except. I was not aware of the television and if you want me to gulp water, then please don't administer drugs to make me sleep!
Since my insurance would not pay for hospital Rehab ,after submitting multiple requests the Doctor decided I needed to go to their nursing home on campus for rehab. My children told her in no uncertain terms that would not happen, not now, not ever! So she decided to give me Metformin for diabetes. Once again my children told her No, it was too controversial. Needless to say, I think she was ready to get rid of me.
The Doctors then decided I needed some form of rehab, since I had a stroke. That is when, a very nice gentleman came to my room and got me up and had me walk. This I did three times Next I had a very confused woman come to my room and ask me to wiggle my toes and point my left foot, then my right foot and lift each foot independently. Now if I could walk to the end of the hall and back, I certainly did not need to exhibit strength in my feet. That was backwards. I did not see her again for a few days. This woman decided I needed intense rehab. My insurance company disagreed. She then decided she was going to train me to take a French bath and dress myself. Complete with brushing teeth and combing my hair. I thought this was also moot since I had taken two showers and dressed myself in the days previous to her visit.,
When I complained there was sugar on my meal tray and I am suppose to be on a diabetic diet I jokingly said " "boy, the Joint commission should eat in this cafeteria! The charge Nurse came into my room and explained how a glucose monitor worked and I needed to go on a diet. She failed to tell me what diet. I was discharged the very next day with NO instructions from a doctor or no follow up from a nurse. Just that afternoon a nurse's aid came into my room with a wheelchair and said " time to go" and I was discharged with a bundle of papers and a glucose monitor. No notice, no information, just good bye! I felt that was really strange. I later found out this hospital is owned by a private equity group. This is another private Equity firm that buys catholic hospitals and continues to make money from the preceding owner's good name. It takes years for people to put together the scam they are running. This hospital was no more catholic than a Jewish Synagogue! They just took advantage of the unknowing good Catholics who had faith in the predecessors who ran the hospital along with their good reputation. It makes you wonder how these greedy so called doctors sleep at night. Typical Private Equity Firm.
Join us to learn what it is and how it works, and why people find it hard to prosecute or hold them accountable. Learn their vulnerabilities and what you can do about their insufficient care, including how to pursue a lawsuit. Become your own advocate and get answers. You should never make decisions in your own interest unless they are informed decisions. It is the same way with consent. Make absolutely sure you only give informed consent. Why? because that is the biggest loophole in malpractice lawsuits, You gave consent. They told you the procedure and some of the risks. Did you question them? In depth? without doing that you are giving a carte blanche to do as they like.
Elder Healthcare Today:
Since I recently had to visit our local hospital, I was amazed at all the changes. What I knew as Healthcare and duty to care was a completely different aspect today. Especially for patients on Medicare! My observations were shocking and caused me to record notes so I would not be mistaken. Since I was fairly semi-conscious for the first five days.In my career first, as a Nurse, then as a Healthcare administrator, and finally as an Elder abuse investigator, I was not at all prepared for the antics, lack of professionalism, plus general disregard for patient safety, well-being, and duty to care. This had to be a joke! Allow me to explain what shocked me. I will recount these instances in steps as they occurred, to reduce the confusion.This hospital appears to be the remnants of a former facility that performed well above the present rules, regulations, and expectations of Medicaid/ Medicare. This was a private hospital with religious affiliations. It was run properly and was a wonderful asset to the community.Unfortunately, like many smaller private hospitals, it became increasingly harder to keep the doors open. What, with insurance companies limiting payment amounts for procedures and so many non-pays, the task became increasingly difficult. The hospital finally was sold to a private equity company. As we all know private equity companies are experts , when it comes to making top dollar and giving the least amount of services. They are also known for "padding the bill", Diagnosing conditions they are able to simulate with medications, Siphoning off Medicare with all seniors over the age of sixty-five, keeping hospitals short staffed,cutting back on supplies ,such as cleaning materials, and of course all hiring is done through a sister company of staffing .In short, they are the elite of screwing over Medicare, Insurance companies and patients.
These companies do just enough to pass the very least standards. They are usually run by third world country doctor groups and could care less about anyone's health. These of course are my own personal observations and opinions as an elder care investigator. If you ever have time you need to look up how these firms operate. Unfortunately, most of them buy out religiously affiliated hospitals and operate on that religious groups good reputation and good name for several years while fleecing the coffers. They make their money back plus a great profit in very few short years.
Believe me when I say "the mafia could have learned a lot from them!" Because of the above reasons you should always, always get a copy of your bill. Scrutinize it carefully. How many times did they charge for the same test? How many times did they charge for insulin and how much? Did they charge for the rehabilitation you did not receive? TelePrompTer visits are one of their favorite, sneaky charges. How many times did you talk to a Doctor on a TelePrompTer? How many are listed on your bill? My favorite is the charge of over four hundred dollars to watch you dress, wash and brush your teeth, it is called self addressing ADL's. The other one is when someone comes in and puts a gait belt on you and you walk to the window and back, that is four hundred and fifteen dollars! Then of course they want to send you to their nursing facility which coincidentally provides " Rehab". This is especially if you are over sixty-five. There is a better chance they will keep you after they give you an Adderall cocktail daily. Thus, they are able to fill up the beds at their long term care facility! What a duel edged sword, they have. All this and End of life therapy sessions to bill Medicare. What a Golden egg you have become!