Problem with clinic nurse

[butterfly_warrior]

I'm not entirely sure that I'm not over reacting to this situation, but I certainly do need some feed back.

My clinic has six nurses, and I've seen each of them when I've been in for blood tests. Sometimes when things are really crazy, one of the scientists will come out of the lab and help with taking blood. Five of the six nurses are fantastic and I've never had problems with them taking blood. The scientists that I've seen to have blood taken have also been fantastic. It helps that I've got great viens, I'm an exceptionally easy person to take blood from, and all pathology collections I've had have been fine. Except for this one particular nurse at the clinic who inflicts great pain. She's fairly new (started in June last year), and is very nervous about taking blood, so she inserts the needle extremely slowly. As we all probably know from doing our own injections, the slower the needle goes in the more it hurts. I've spoken to her about this, but she does not change the way she takes blood.

It's not just the blood-taking pain issue that bugs me.

This was the nurse responsible for communicating with me the results of my blood test yesterday and ensuring I had further instructions from there. She was quite content to end the call after "your levels are fine and we need to see you again on Sunday". The call didn't end then because I just can't cope with not knowing what my numbers are, so I asked for them. Again, after giving me the numbers she was content to end the call. I am very used to having dosages adjusted after each blood test (it has happened with each blood test in each cycle due to my history of non-response or over-response), so I asked if there were any dosage changes. If this nurse had just said "you need to continue on your current dose", I'd have been completely screwed at this point. What she did say was "you need to continue on your current dose of 150 units". Problem being that I have not been on 150IU this cycle, I've been taking 200IU. When I questioned her on this, she double checked the paperwork and said I needed to reduce my dosage to 150IU.

There's a very fine line between me responding appropriately and over-responding. In fact, this is the first time I've ever had an appropriate response to puregon. I'm absolutely terrified at this point of what may have happened and what may happen in the future if this incompetent nurse continues as she has so far. She hurts like hell when she takes blood, and the only reason I got all the right information out of her yesterday is because of past experience I knew (sort of) which questions to ask. What if it was a patient not as experienced as myself? In particular, another one with this same tendency to hyperstimulate. I know my FS has several patients that are "difficult" like myself, and I absolutely shudder to think that this nurse being unable to convey all necessary information in a clear and accurate manner could cause someone to become ill.

Is it appropriate for me to say something to the clinic? If so, how? The whole situation is really difficult for me to deal with as my pre-existing anxiety problem is made MUCH worse by the presence of high levels of estrogen. Estrogen levels leading up to a normal ovulation are enough to trigger anxiety attacks in me, let alone the levels found in a stim cycle (lets not even think about how bad I get while hyperstimulating!)

Suggestions? Advice? Should I just continue on and grit my teeth if she's taking my blood and ensure that I always double check information with her on the phone? I probably can get through the cycle that way, but it's extra stress that I don't need.

Sorry this is so long.

BW

[Spring Angel]

BW: I think you have more than enough reason to raise the issue of this nurse with the Clinic. Not only is this an emotionally harrowing time for you, but for goodness sake if an incorrect doesage could have major health consequences for you, then her dismissive attitude is very concerning.

Perhaps you could make a confidential complaint to one of the nurses you know and trust and ask that your details not be revealed to the nurse in question. You are right, you are fortunate to be vigilant but what if someone else just takes her word.

Good luck
Spring

[Megan]

BW, I have to agree. I think the clinic need to be made aware so that they can deal with the situation. This nurse needs to be made aware of this and what could have happened if the call had of ended without you having to ask for more information. Mistakes unfortunately do happen, but in this case she just didn't read your file correctly - all of the right information was there, she just didn't communicate it with you. It might take a complaint from you to get the seriousness of this issue through to her so it doesn't happen again. I also agree with Spring, an anonymous complaint may be a good idea if it will make you feel more comfortable.

[Cricket]

Yep, I'd say document your issues - unclear instruction, poor communication, etc, along with poor technique taking blood - and submit a letter to the clinic. Perhaps include the dates/times these things happened, and that you were dealing with this particular nurse every time. I think it would be wise to try to keep it very polite, but firmly state your concerns for your health, and the health of others using the clinic.
All the best!

[Chez67]

BW

I think you absolutely have to make some sort of complaint as it will help to ease your conscience that you have at least tried to do something. I agree with you completely about the concerns of an inexperienced patient or someone who is just not dealing well with the drugs and therefore not thinking too clearly at the time of the phone call (which is often me ) - they just may not ask the right questions, but then nor should they have to. As you keep saying, this is what we pay good money for. If you are not getting the service you need and expect and the service is not up to par with the other nurses, then a complaint needs to be made.

Can you speak to David directly about this if you don't want to put anything in writing?

Whatever you decide, I really hope I don't get to see her when we are up there in a few weeks, hopefully , as my veins are real b*ggers to get blood out of some days unless the person taking it knows what they are doing.

xx

[Hollybolly]

I think you definately need to bring it up - even if its like Chez said - with David first.

The thing is, it just isn't good enough - a tiny error in your dosages can be a dramatic difference in your outcome...and in your case, potentially a dangerous outcome - but as a representative in an IVF clinic, she can't afford to be this vague - IVF deals with some serious medication.

What if this happened to someone who DIDN'T think to ask any more (like you did) about the levels, etc and they ended up in hospital with OHSS or something else because the nurse was incompetant... thats not good enough.

Trust your instinct & definately raise the issue - you don't need to be nasty about it, so don't feel guilty about doing it - you're doing it for the safety of yourself and the other patient's safety as well xxx

[Willow]

I agree BW, you need to say something, particularly about the misinformation she gave you about your dosage. We all know how serious it could have been if you'd continued on 200...

If you're feeling anxious about it - can you email David in the first instance? That takes care of the phone phobia??