Columnist Leslie Kouba reflects on tough lessons from the ICU, where her mother was forced to undergo a harrowing procedure after hospital staff failed to listen to family members' concerns.
Leslie Kouba's wife, Heather Russell, tends the bedside of mother Carol Russell, amid difficult times for their family in the ICU.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- We spent this past week in an upstate New York hospital with my mum-in-law. A severe infection led her to the emergency room last Sunday and then she was admitted.
Finally, by 3 a.m., a team of 15 doctors, interns, nurses, and staff stood around Mom’s bed. All of them ignored Heather’s insights even though Mom’s previous episode with low sodium had been treated at the very same hospital. Evidently, no one takes the time to read a patient’s history.Ten hours later, they reported Mom’s sodium was -- ready? -- low. Very low.
ICU waiting rooms are typically thick with worry where any murmur of hope or trickle of nervous humor dissipates almost immediately, smothered by a heavy blanket of fear. This one was no different, though sparsely populated. Our little group – three siblings and me, the in-law – were lucky in that the direct line procedure took just a quick half-hour.
The saline drip she received in the ER never appeared in her hospital room. Although we repeatedly asked about sodium levels, no one paid attention until things went dire. It’s hard to trust medical staff when something as simple as a saline drip disappears off a patient’s chart. Humans can’t be top-notch every single hour of every single day, even when our loved one’s life is at risk. But we want them to be.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘The Exorcist: Believer’ Sneak Peek — Leslie Odom Jr.’s Demonic Nightmare BeginsThe ‘Exorcist’ franchise returns to theaters this October.
Read more »
The Exorcist: Believer Teases How Its Demon Started Creeping InDavid Gordon Green's horror sequel starring Ellen Burstyn and Leslie Odom, Jr. opens October 6.
Read more »
RSV vaccine recommended during pregnancy as a second option to protect newbornsU.S. health officials are recommending RSV vaccinations for moms-to-be as a second option to protect newborns.
Read more »
RSV vaccine recommended during pregnancy as a second option to protect newbornsU.S. health officials are recommending RSV vaccinations for moms-to-be as a second option to protect newborns.
Read more »
RSV vaccine recommended during pregnancy as a second option to protect newbornsU.S. health officials are recommending RSV vaccinations for moms-to-be as a second option to protect newborns.
Read more »
RSV vaccine recommended during pregnancy as a second option to protect newbornsU.S. health officials are recommending RSV vaccinations for moms-to-be as a second option to protect newborns
Read more »