Mom (75) admitted to hospital for pneumonia as a caution due to side effects of antibiotic. Anyone heard of this?
She lived alone. She was admitted at 5:30pm that afternoon. Feeling well when I left. At12:01am droop in mouth noted. 4:00am sent down to ER. I was called at 6:30am to go to ER. She had suffered a massive left brain She was admitted at 5:30pm and was feeeling well when I left around 7:30pm At 12:00am it was noted she had a droop in her face. She was carried down to the ER around 4:30am and it was discovered she had suffered a massive ischemic stroke leaving her completely bedridden, no speaking and i need of 24 hr care for all ADLs for almost a yr now. She is home with me and we have Hospice. Her DR was LIVID when I arrived at the ER that morning. She said they waited to late to get a rat team to her for any chance of ever having independence again. Later confirmed by her Neurologist. Anyone had or heard of an experience such as this? Any advise? I said nothing during all of the events that morning but I noted all as well as the "suits" around.
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I am so terribly sorry about what happened to your mother.
Would you have withheld the antibiotics, meaning certain death, or take a slight chance the patient might have a stroke? They did the best they could. They cannot preserve life forever. If she had been home with you that night she might not have survived at all. Be thankful for that extra year. Leave the rest to God, He has a Plan.
An experienced attorney can advise you whether you have a legitimate case.
If a lawyer tells you you have a case, it would be a good idea if you can get some money to get better care for her and some relief for you. Just don't torture yourself.
No, the hospital did not cause the stroke. My concern is the lapse in time and if something could have been done to stop the damage. Wheelchair, ability to speak etc with some rehabilitation etc would be better than a total loss. True I feel this for her but more importantly she has been aware, is extremely independent all her life and the ability to maintain some independence is better than nothing if possible.
She went to an acute rehab center, she did not qualify for and spent 30 days, then to sub acute rehab for 3 months. All was tried and i did not have to ask or argue for any attempts for any rehab. Smooth sailing --and thankful. Accountability is my concern here. Mistakes (if this is one) happen. I know many fine Dr's, nurses, cnas. Nurses were upset that morning. Dr's told me this regarding the time. I did not figure it out if there is anything to figure out.
Regarding Faith, it is what has and will continue to sustain us. I appreciate your comments.
(ps - a little knowledge, especially extrapolated, can be a dangerous thing!)
wikipedia's list includes:
Stroke
Absolute Contraindications to Thrombolysis
Uncertainty about time of stroke onset (e.g. patients awakening from sleep).
Coma or severe obtundation with fixed eye deviation and complete hemiplegia.
Hypertension: systolic blood pressure over 180mmHg; or diastolic blood pressure over 110mmHg on repeated measures prior to study. (if reversed, patient can be treated)
Clinical presentation suggestive of subarachnoid haemorrhage even if the CT scan is normal.
Presumed septic embolus.
Patient having received a heparin medication within the last 48 hours and has an elevated Activated Prothrombin Time (APTT) or has a known hereditary or acquired haemorrhagic diathesis
INR over 1.5
Known advanced liver disease, advanced right heart failure, or anticoagulation, and INR over 1.5 (no need to wait for INR result in the absence of the former three conditions).
Known platelet count under 100,000 uL.
Serum glucose is under 2.8 mmol/l or over 22.0 mmol/l. (very low or very high)
Relative Contraindications to Thrombolysis
Severe neurological impairment with NIHSS score over 22.
Age over 80 years.
CT evidence of extensive middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory infarction (sulcal effacement or blurring of grey-white junction in greater than 1/3 of MCA territory).
Stroke or serious head trauma within the past three months where the risks of bleeding are considered to outweigh the benefits of therapy.
Major surgery within the last 14 days (consider intra-arterial thrombolysis).
Patient has a known history of intracranial haemorrhage, subarachnoid haemorrhage, known intracranial arteriovenous malformation or previously known intracranial neoplasm
Suspected recent (within 30 days) myocardial infarction.
Recent (within 30 days) biopsy of a parenchymal organ or surgery that, in the opinion of the responsible clinician, would increase the risk of unmanageable (e.g. uncontrolled by local pressure) bleeding.
Recent (within 30 days) trauma with internal injuries or ulcerative wounds.
Gastrointestinal or urinary tract haemorrhage within the last 30 days or any active or recent haemorrhage that, in the opinion of the responsible clinician, would increase the risk of unmanageable (e.g. by local pressure) bleeding.
Arterial puncture at non-compressible site within the last 7 days.
Concomitant serious, advanced or terminal illness or any other condition that, in the opinion of the responsible clinician would pose an unacceptable risk.
Minor or Rapidly improving deficit.
Seizure: If the presenting neurological deficit is deemed due to a seizure.
Pregnancy is not an absolute contraindication. Consider intra-arterial thrombolysis.
the other thought would if an expert neurologist was not available even by teleconsultation, or if this was long enough ago it really was not a standard of care...TPA for stroke is still "kind of" cutting edge, but can work as advertised and prevent a lot of disability when it does
Also a Third Party Nurse was hired and she sees negligence. We will now have a third party Neurologist review her files. We shall see.
I just don't know what to do, it has not been on my "front bunner" so to speak only my Mother.
My mother passed last Sunday morning. She had a beautiful service.
I loved her so. She had suffered enough. I have grieved for a year now and will continue. She is with Him and His grace provides peace to us all.
And, Amen to that. I'm a believer too...we grieve, sometimes terribly, but not as people without hope..hugs..
Re: legal possibility
Amazingly Dr's on board as well as 2 Third Party Nurses. Nuero reveiwing all files now. The hospital is a stroke trauma hospital. Hope all goes away quietly.
Mistakes are made. Usually due 1 of 2 reason: Lack of education/training or Lack of Attention--which can be overworked and understaffed as well as a litany of other reason.
I am blaming no one.
The main thing i concentrated on was my mother feeling loved, safe and secure. I did my very best to provide all for her. She was a wonderful mother to me.
She is at PEACE.