Pre-op question for you fellow nurses

Wow, have I had a day from the twilight zone!! Only another nurse would believe it...On July 22nd my bariatric surgeon-to-be's office scheduled an appointment for me to have a colonoscopy and an EGD today . I arrived at the hospital at 6:00 AM as instructed. I followed the prep instructions to a tee-- Fleet's phosphate of soda 1.5 oz. at 6PM with 5 cups of water(orally of course) then, NPO P mid. Then I even did the recommended 2 Fleet's enemas early in the morning. (3AM) I had a 2 hour ride to the hospital to get there at 6AM today. I was awake most of the night. When the admitting clerk showed up at 6:15 (a very small hospital) he said, I don't have your name on my list--but I'll put you in the computer anyway. Then, it's off to wait in the day surgery waiting room to be called by the nurse. 30 minutes later, she calls my name. In front of a room full of people, she says, what are you here for? I glance around, then said, couldn't you respect my privacy? (very nicely, too) so she said, come with me. When we're alone, she says, when was your appointment made? I told her. She said, we have no record of it. I'm going to talk to the OR people...stay here. I said, ok and went back to my seat. The waiting room is very small, but it has a large fire alarm on the wall. Would you believe it went off and stayed on for 15 MINUTES! Much later, the same nurse as before says tocome back, and takes me to a cubicle for pre-op. I said, what did you say to talk them into letting me stay? She said, we're not heartless--if you did the prep, and drove so far to get here, you must have really been right. Then my doctor's associate comes in to do a colonoscopy on someone else, and she tells him about me, and asks him to "do" me next--he refuses, saying he's going to do a lap chole before me. Well, it turns out to be 11:30 before I get to have my colonoscopy and EGD. and a HUGE hematoma on my forearm where the RN in pre-op had trouble sticking me. My badge of honor for the day. It would have been just a wee bit consoling if the doc had once said, "I'm sorry about what happened today" I got home at 6PM I go to this doctor because he's supposedly the best on the East Coast, but his office staff needs help. My question is, should I tell my doctor, who is the head doc in his office ,about what happened today, or just forget it? Forgive me for whining. Love, Sharon

That was one of those days when you think, damn.....I do a great job at work!!!! Sorry you had such a bad day. And yes I would mention it, you kinda like...oh, I just wouldn't want this to happen to anyone else.....

Sharon - you should definitely tell your doctor about this. This was not a simple procedure that you can walk in off the street and get done with just a written order from the dr. like an X-ray. You had to go thru a lot of pre-procedure prep work, a 2-hr ride, and then the long wait. It's a wonder you didn't pass out in the waiting room! The doctor is the only one who can investigate who dropped the ball. Do you have any written orders from him with the date and time on it? Definitely follow thru with this. You are a professional and you deserve to be treated with respect just as you would treat one of your patients. Good luck with your surgery.

Wow, what an awful day! I definitely would mention it to the "big" doc, and let him know... it's very possible he doesn't realize that people in his office are so dismissive towards patients and *especially* for the obvious HIPPA violating nurse. I'm not "Nancy nurse" by any means, but wow, that one is kinda obvious. As for the doc with the attitude, I'd mention it... but I'm not sure if that'll do any good... if he had a scheduled OR time... the hospitals get REALLY sticky with the docs who are late to OR times. And yes, that's one of those times where you say "WOW, I'd have lost my job if I acted like that to a patient" So you're one step closer to surgery! Congrats!

Sharon, I would tell the head doctor once you've calmed down about the whole thing. Someone obviously dropped the ball and he needs to know. Think about it, as a nurse if you don't do your job someone's going to know about it. You're a better person than I because I would have been screaming until someone did my procedure. I had a similar situation with my EGD. I sat in admitting for 3 hours before I was even checked in. Then when I went back to get ready for the procedure the RN who would be doing the case smugly says, "Wow, you're running a little late today." I calmly asked to speak to the charge nurse and told her that I was not late, but instead sitting in a waiting room for 3 hours and that if she had any other "late" patients for endoscopy procedures that they were likely sitting in the waiting room also. I'm sure you'll agree with me, but as a health care professional you expect to be treated the same way that you treat your patients. I don't think this is unreasonable. It's unfortunate but nurses get the reputation of being "bad patients", but it's just that we know what to expect. Since my last hospitalization for the birth of my child I have learned to bring a small notebook and pen with me to the hospital. I write down the names of the shift nurses who will be caring for me. If I need pain meds or assistance I write down the time I buzzed and how much time it took for them to respond. I would write down the good things along with the bad (such as having to empty my own trash can one day). Some nurses and assistants would ask why I wrote everything down, but you'd be surprised how you are treated once they know you're watching. Good luck with everything and remember to bring a notebook. It also helps when you want to write "thank you" notes for the people who took exceptional care of you! Lisa