General Discussion

riversedge

(80,978 posts)

1. I think medical facilities more and more are depending on family close associates to help

Thu Aug 27, 2015, 10:10 PM

Aug 2015

them figure things out. you are the ones interacting with the patient on a day to day basis. Your input is valuable the nurse many have been a bit brisk but they probably are baffled at the moment. Saying it is up to you is also a bit harsh. But give them any information--especially any changes in her activities/routine that you can recall--no matter how small. I know this is hard on you and it happened so quickly. Best.

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Apparently, it isn't the doctor's or hospital's responsibility to diagnose health issues [View all] Siwsan Aug 2015 OP

I think medical facilities more and more are depending on family close associates to help riversedge Aug 2015 #1

I have shared everything I know with numerous staff members Siwsan Aug 2015 #2

When I was a patient advocate, I got the best information from the pharmacists. dixiegrrrrl Aug 2015 #3

The nurses are pretty shocked at the volume of meds she's been prescribed Siwsan Aug 2015 #6

I second dixiegrrrrl's advice. brer cat Aug 2015 #11

And I third it dflprincess Aug 2015 #12

They should contact the assisted living place about meds Freddie Aug 2015 #28

Or side-effects. My mother started taking Gabapentin for pain, and then got bad tremors, a known WinkyDink Aug 2015 #24

lol, and thanks daredtowork Aug 2015 #62

Your healthcare provider may just have antiquated system REP Aug 2015 #68

It's worse than that daredtowork Aug 2015 #79

7 months? REP Aug 2015 #80

I'm on Medi-Cal not Medicare daredtowork Aug 2015 #82

Yeah, that's why I never have to wait for an appointment REP Aug 2015 #83

I would like to daredtowork Aug 2015 #84

Looks like you riversedge Aug 2015 #4

This has been a year for horrible family health issues Siwsan Aug 2015 #9

Hey KentuckyWoman Aug 2015 #15

I expect to be meeting with the social worker on Monday Siwsan Aug 2015 #37

The Poverty Industry is the same daredtowork Aug 2015 #64

My goal is to stop this madness Siwsan Aug 2015 #77

I agree on Big Pharma, but I also think we need to look at the AMA and medical education daredtowork Aug 2015 #81

You have not responded so I worry that you Syzygy321 Aug 2015 #85

I have not responded because I don't owe one Siwsan Aug 2015 #86

Sounds so rough, Siwsan. Mnemosyne Aug 2015 #16

I was going to say make sure they do a urinalysis as that often is the cause uppityperson Aug 2015 #5

All tests came back negative Siwsan Aug 2015 #7

Did you bring the pills she takes with you to the ER?? Historic NY Aug 2015 #27

This message was self-deleted by its author Syzygy321 Aug 2015 #51

Going to the Emergency Room Aerows Aug 2015 #19

Here our services bill Medicare or insurance.... Historic NY Aug 2015 #31

Have they done a urine test for UTI since the symptoms began? Ilsa Aug 2015 #8

No UTI, Siwsan Aug 2015 #10

Was she on antibiotics for the UTI? enlightenment Aug 2015 #13

Very true. blue neen Aug 2015 #18

How is her potassium? Downwinder Aug 2015 #14

As others have so wisely suggested, a visit to the pharmacist could be very helpful. blue neen Aug 2015 #17

Ask for a pharmacology audit and consultation. Laffy Kat Aug 2015 #20

They did a review and will adjust her meds Siwsan Aug 2015 #26

Good. Hopefully, it will help a lot, although it may take a while. Laffy Kat Aug 2015 #32

Potassium yourpicturehere Aug 2015 #21

I went through that. Are_grits_groceries Aug 2015 #35

All those specialists. nt bemildred Aug 2015 #22

The bottom line: Hospitals do NOT want patients of her age. Period. WinkyDink Aug 2015 #23

I'm shocked they haven't discharged her, yet. Siwsan Aug 2015 #25

I can believe it; I've seen the mental changes with a couple family members. WinkyDink Aug 2015 #29

I would be happy to discuss that from the other POV Syzygy321 Aug 2015 #66

I'm guessing the risk of CA-MRSA REP Aug 2015 #70

That's a good point - but really it's about Syzygy321 Aug 2015 #73

Absolutely REP Aug 2015 #76

wow. Liberal_in_LA Aug 2015 #30

Please get a referral to a geriatric psychiatrist- they know best how to figure out what it is- bettyellen Aug 2015 #33

She is being seen by a very good neurologist Siwsan Aug 2015 #34

Ah, okay. For elder care Geri-psychs are better IF its going to be a long haul situation.... bettyellen Aug 2015 #49

thank you for doing what you are doing dembotoz Aug 2015 #36

I've been going through this for over 16 years, with one family member or another Siwsan Aug 2015 #40

UTI? lonestarnot Aug 2015 #38

No - it actually is what I expected. Over medication Siwsan Aug 2015 #39

98 is a long life, but in the scheme of things, it is a very short time. lonestarnot Aug 2015 #41

She has constantly voiced her desire to be done with things Siwsan Aug 2015 #42

Is hospice involved in her care? Given her age and condition I think she'd be better off pnwmom Aug 2015 #44

I asked about hospice but the doctor said she's not a 'candidate' Siwsan Aug 2015 #46

Most doctors wait too long, but unless he thinks she has more than 6 months to live, pnwmom Aug 2015 #48

She has the right to refuse care. She is not Syzygy321 Aug 2015 #54

If your aunt's wish is to NOT have her life Syzygy321 Aug 2015 #53

How are her sodium levels? Do you know if her weight has changed? pnwmom Aug 2015 #43

It appears to be a case of over medication Siwsan Aug 2015 #45

Yes. My grandmother, 92, 4 months ago. ScreamingMeemie Aug 2015 #47

Sorry your aunt is sick. Syzygy321 Aug 2015 #50

Nurses do not do medical diagnoses. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Aug 2015 #52

"Doesn't want to expend the resources necessary"? Syzygy321 Aug 2015 #56

I've been at some good hospitals Erich Bloodaxe BSN Aug 2015 #57

Guess I'm lucky then. At my hospital Syzygy321 Aug 2015 #59

Sounds like a great place to work at. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Aug 2015 #60

Tele beds: five patients per nurse. Syzygy321 Aug 2015 #61

This nurse was "new" to the facility Siwsan Aug 2015 #75

they need a list of her meds. pansypoo53219 Aug 2015 #55

Now that you realize the hospital DID diagnose Syzygy321 Aug 2015 #58

What about hydration? thecrow Aug 2015 #63

Rereading your OP, maybe the nurse meant that it was up to you to talk to the doctor, pnwmom Aug 2015 #65

It was specifically said they were baffled, so I had to start investigating Siwsan Aug 2015 #67

Who is "they"? Can't you get a second opinion? And have you spoken pnwmom Aug 2015 #72

Then take your aunt home. You can check her out AMA anytime, Syzygy321 Aug 2015 #74

I once saw something similar. It was an infection. DirkGently Aug 2015 #69

A friend's relative developed a bladder infection while in care for alzeheimers GreatGazoo Aug 2015 #87

My Great Grandmother had the same type of episode JCMach1 Aug 2015 #71

Pre-existing prejudices are problematic. Syzygy321 Aug 2015 #78