Its Time

[Ilithyia]

I've decided to write the letter of complaint regarding my "treatment" in the days before Reid's birth.

I'd apprecaite a little help if you all dont mind.

Here's what I've written so far:

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to lodge a complaint about the recent treatment I received in the Emergency Department.

At the time I was 16 weeks pregnant and was presenting to the ED for history of pelvic bleeding.

I presented to ED on the 18th of November 2011. I had a history of bleeding with the pregnancy however on this particular day the bleeding had increased.

I was seen in the Short Stay Unit where everything was deemed fine.

On leaving the ED, my loss increased significantly and I returned to the ED.

I was taken to a bed where I nurse sighted the sanitary pad that I had been wearing. The nurse questioned me about my loss and suggested that my waters may have ruptured.

When I finally saw a Dr, I found him to be rude and arrogant. We went over my history together and he asked me what I wanted them to do. I mentioned the pad and what the nurse had said about my waters but he didn’t explore the matter further.

I requested an ultrasound to explore where the bleeding was coming from. My request was declined.

An OB/Gynae Dr finally came to see me. She brought with her a portable ultrasound machine. We saw that the baby was fine. I reiterated that I wasn’t concerned about the baby’s health and that I felt as if though something was wrong with me. I mentioned the pad and loss to her but again, no-one wanted to discuss the matter.

I was discharged with a referral to the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit for the 24th of November.

4 days later, on the 22nd of November 2011, I delivered my Son at Logan Hospital. I had developed a severe infection in my uterus which resulted in pre-term labour and the premature birth of my Son.

On the day I birthed my Son, I called the EPAU, desperate for help. I was in established labour but was turned away and told that I could not be seen until Wednesday 23rd as that was when the next available appointment was. Yet again, we were failed.

It is my belief that the treatment that I received whilst in the Emergency Department was insufficient and contributed in the preterm birth of my Son. I believe that had the proper investigations had been done he may not have been born when he was.

Whilst, I understand that nothing can be done to bring him back, I hope that my story and case will be looked into further and that matters will be taken to avoid this type of event happening to future women and babies.

More respect, support and acknowledgement needs to be shown to women who are less than 20 weeks pregnant. Whilst I understand that the chance of survival for a baby under 20 weeks is unlikely, I do believe that more should be done to prevent the birth from occurring in the first place.

I feel like its a bit messy. I want it to be just right. I dont want to be treated like an idiot again. I want them to read my letter and feel my power. My determination.

I'm also a little worried about being an employee at this hospital...What do you think about that? Its a bit weird right?

Thanks in advance for your replies, advice, assistance and support!
xx

[TeniBear]

The only things I can really fault you on - and this is being pedantic - is that you shouldn't capitalise "son", and near the end you have a comma that shouldn't be there (after "Whilst")

There might be other things needing tweaking, but that's all I picked up in my quick read Sorry you had to write this at all

[FabFiona]

Hi Sara,

I'll be back when the boys are asleep.

Fiona

[Mak]

Sara - I would recommend you ring and ask for the Patient Liason Officer for the hospital. The complaint should be addressed to them, you may want to talk to them or send the letter.
Sending you lots of strength as you work through this.

[minniemouse]

sorry you are having to write this Sara

i would probably rewrite the line "At the time I was 16 weeks pregnant and was presenting to the ED for history of pelvic bleeding." and just change it slightly to something like "i was 16 weeks pregnant and having vaginal bleeding" and then continue with next the bit "i presented to the emergency department on the 18th november" etc

don't worry that you work there, you deserved better treatment than you got

[FabFiona]

Hello,

I've dealt with a few of these at work, so I'd make the following changes:

1. I'd outline how you thought his behaviour was rude and arrogant. Specifically what did he do.
2. I would be clearer and a bit stronger about what you want. Perhaps you could ask for a policy to be changed so that ultrasounds are done automatically for women in this situation? Do you want an apology? DO you want to meet with your clinicians to debrief?

As for working there, it should't be a problem. Are you a member of the QNU? Might be worth touching base with them just in case.

I would also strongly recommend talking through your complaint with the hospital consumer representative (or whatever they are called) before you lodge the complaint. They should assist you further and point you in the right direction for any policies they might be breaching.

Hope it turns out ok for you.

Fiona

[sloane]

i'm sorry you have to write this but think it's important that you do

feel free to use or disregard my suggestions:

consider making bullet points under each date. perhaps something like:

I am writing to lodge a complaint about the treatment I received recently in the Emergency Department.

At the time I was 16 weeks pregnant and was presenting to the ED for history of pelvic bleeding. A timeline of what occurred is as follows:

18 November:

• I presented to ED with vaginal bleeding. I had a history of bleeding with the pregnancy however on this particular day the bleeding had increased.
• I was seen in the Short Stay Unit where everything was deemed fine.
• On leaving the ED, my loss increased significantly so I returned to the ED.

i also think Fiona makes a good point about outlining the doctors behaviour - the terms you've used could be seen as emotive & it would be good to back them up by saying exactly how you were treated. they need to know the sort of behaviour that isn't acceptable to a patient.

outline exactly what you expect as Fiona says - an apology etc.... I look forward to your response (apology etc) and would be happy to meet with you to discuss ways in which you could handle the situation differently in the future.

i don't think it's weird that you work there - this is you as a patient of the hospital, not a worker.

[~clover~]

Just something little. The 'I' underlined needs to be an 'a'.

I was taken to a bed where I nurse sighted the sanitary pad that I had been wearing.

[Ilithyia]

Thanks so much everyone.

I will definately be taking your suggestions and editing a few things.

Some great suggestions!

I will let you all know how the end product shows up

Thank you all so much!
xx

[forshelby]

I am sorry you have to write such a letter. FWIW, I think your voice will be even louder as an employee. I felt your power in that letter.

All the best. Xoxo

[littlelara]

I have no advice, but I'm really, really sorry xx

[delphmoon]

Hello,

I've dealt with a few of these at work, so I'd make the following changes:

1. I'd outline how you thought his behaviour was rude and arrogant. Specifically what did he do.
2. I would be clearer and a bit stronger about what you want. Perhaps you could ask for a policy to be changed so that ultrasounds are done automatically for women in this situation? Do you want an apology? DO you want to meet with your clinicians to debrief?

As for working there, it should't be a problem. Are you a member of the QNU? Might be worth touching base with them just in case.

I would also strongly recommend talking through your complaint with the hospital consumer representative (or whatever they are called) before you lodge the complaint. They should assist you further and point you in the right direction for any policies they might be breaching.

I agree.


FWIW- I wrote a letter of complaint to the ED after my treatment after the loss of my son and I work there also. t. I asked that a review in policy be undertaken and that staff undergo further training in dealing with these highly emotional times.

Good luck hun xx

[nickle730]

Hi Sara, I'm also sorry that you need to write this letter.

I have a few suggestions, you can use them or not!

Definitely address the letter to someone specific.

Replace the term 'pelvic bleeding' with 'vaginal bleeding'. I think someone else mentioned this? Pelvic bleeding would indicate an internal bleed.

'On being discharged from the ED, my loss increased significantly and I returned to triage.' Places the responsibility for you leaving on the hospital, they discharged you. I assume you then passed through the triage nurse again? Once more, places responsibility on the hospital staff.

Explain what the doctor did to make you think he was rude and arrogant. Was it something specific or his attitude in general. Was her condescending or disinterested? I would elaborate this point.

Instead of 'explore the matter further' I would say 'investigate the matter further'. It is a doctor's job to investigate a patient's condition.

'My request was refused' instead of 'my request was declined'.

I understand that you may have used a capital 's' for son to place importance on the term, but I would suggest that you remove the capitals and personalise the statement by saying 'I delivered my son, Reid...'.

It is my belief that the treatment I received... was utterly inadequate and contributed...'.

'Whilst I understand that nothing can be done to bring Reid back, I expect that my case will be thoroughly investigated. I request that you review the policies of XYZ hospital regarding the treatment of women presenting to your emergency department with conditions relating to early pregnancy. It is my hope that other women can be spared the anguish that I experienced due to the attitude and behaviour of your staff.'

'I would be pleased to meet with you to discuss this matter further and I look forward to you contacting me at your earliest convenience.'

I would remove the last sentence in your draft. Unfortunately, the chance of a baby delivered before 20 weeks gestation surviving is nil. (I think the youngest bub ever to survive was about 22w 5d??) I think to say that it is 'unlikely' suggests that you are unrealistic. (Sorry...!! I feel bad typing that.)

Feel free to ignore everything I have said!!

Sara, I'm really sorry for the loss of Reid and for the treatment that you received.

[veus]

I'm not good at comforting words but I just wanted to say I am appalled by the treatment and I'm sorry it happened to you. I don't think it should matter if ure an employee or not. Irrespective there is a real concern there & it needs to be addressed. All the best!


Sent from my smart phone using Tapatalk. (Occasional fat fingers syndrome might occur.)

[BlackRose]

Sorry you're having to write this Sara. I agree with the changes suggested by the pp and just wanted to wish you all the very best. I hope that this is the start of some major changes that impact the lives of future mamas and their unborn babies at this hospital

[delphmoon]

Hi Sara, I'm also sorry that you need to write this letter.

I have a few suggestions, you can use them or not!

Definitely address the letter to someone specific.

Replace the term 'pelvic bleeding' with 'vaginal bleeding'. I think someone else mentioned this? Pelvic bleeding would indicate an internal bleed.

'On being discharged from the ED, my loss increased significantly and I returned to triage.' Places the responsibility for you leaving on the hospital, they discharged you. I assume you then passed through the triage nurse again? Once more, places responsibility on the hospital staff.

Explain what the doctor did to make you think he was rude and arrogant. Was it something specific or his attitude in general. Was her condescending or disinterested? I would elaborate this point.

Instead of 'explore the matter further' I would say 'investigate the matter further'. It is a doctor's job to investigate a patient's condition.

'My request was refused' instead of 'my request was declined'.

I understand that you may have used a capital 's' for son to place importance on the term, but I would suggest that you remove the capitals and personalise the statement by saying 'I delivered my son, Reid...'.

It is my belief that the treatment I received... was utterly inadequate and contributed...'.

'Whilst I understand that nothing can be done to bring Reid back, I expect that my case will be thoroughly investigated. I request that you review the policies of XYZ hospital regarding the treatment of women presenting to your emergency department with conditions relating to early pregnancy. It is my hope that other women can be spared the anguish that I experienced due to the attitude and behaviour of your staff.'

'I would be pleased to meet with you to discuss this matter further and I look forward to you contacting me at your earliest convenience.'

I would remove the last sentence in your draft. Unfortunately, the chance of a baby delivered before 20 weeks gestation surviving is nil. (I think the youngest bub ever to survive was about 22w 5d??) I think to say that it is 'unlikely' suggests that you are unrealistic. (Sorry...!! I feel bad typing that.)

Feel free to ignore everything I have said!!

Sara, I'm really sorry for the loss of Reid and for the treatment that you received.

All great suggestions

[Floweryfields]

I would call them and ask the name of the person to address the concern to - the to whom it may concern, while correct, looks less direct than if you actually name the person.
Is it going to have so many spaces in the true copy? I would make it into larger paragraphs.

[Ilithyia]

Thank you all soooooo much!

There are some awesome suggestions and I will take all into consideration

I really appreciate you all taking the time to help me on this matter.

Thank you all