Re: Dealing with mistreatment by medical proffesionals

[Guest guest]

That's great thanks, i never thought she might deny it and since I didn't say

anything at the time, they might beleive her more then myself. The dr I saw

was wonderful so I think i might put that in the note as well.

I think i might in the note give them a week to respond or foward the note to

the local news agency's and the medical boards. i decided that I wouild like a

written apology from the nurse and my 50 dollar copay waived.

I also want to be able to meet with them and see my record to make sure that she

didn't write down that i'm an addict. Do you think I am going to be asking for

to much?

Jess

wrote:

Note when you send the letter via snail mail not email use certified

mail so you have a copy that each person received the letter at the

hospital.

Rick

[Guest guest]

That's great thanks, i never thought she might deny it and since I didn't say

anything at the time, they might beleive her more then myself. The dr I saw

was wonderful so I think i might put that in the note as well.

I think i might in the note give them a week to respond or foward the note to

the local news agency's and the medical boards. i decided that I wouild like a

written apology from the nurse and my 50 dollar copay waived.

I also want to be able to meet with them and see my record to make sure that she

didn't write down that i'm an addict. Do you think I am going to be asking for

to much?

Jess

wrote:

Note when you send the letter via snail mail not email use certified

mail so you have a copy that each person received the letter at the

hospital.

Rick

[Guest guest]

--- jessica rosenfeld wrote:

>> I think i might in the note give them a week to respond or foward

the note to the local news agency's and the medical boards.

Hi Jess -

I think its great that you're going to pursue this! You go, girl! And

you've gotten lots of great advice here about how to go about it.

If it were me, however, I wouldn't threaten the administrators as you

suggest in the snip above, at least in the first letter. That would

set up a climate of antagonism that you don't want; give them the

benefit of the doubt that they will do their jobs ethically, even if

the nurse didn't. You can always escalate to this threat later.

It probably wouldn't hurt to just go ahead and openly cc the medical

boards on the first letter, however. I wouldn't hold off on that

step! It will get them moving, probably, if there's any chance they'd

blow you off.

And do ask for a reasonable deadline to respond, as you've suggested

here, just frame it without the threat, such as " I would like to hear

from you within 1 week, by July X. "

Now, these are only my opinions!! You should do exactly what you feel

most comfortable with. I've never done this myself, but I've

negotiated with a lot of companies in my career. I do think it helps

to keep the letter professional and cool-headed to start.

Oh, and as to your last question about whether you're asking for too

much: Don't be afraid to ask for everything you want! You may not

get it all, but you surely won't get it if you don't ask.

Keep us updated!

Cheryl in AZ

[Guest guest]

Oh, here's another thought I want to throw out to everybody for their

opinions, regarding Jess' letter to the hospital about the nurse who

called her an addict.

Would it be worth it to tell the hospital administrators that you

expect them to provide their nurses with training to understand

chronic pain management, and the difference between CP management and

addiction??

I know it's unlikely they'll do it, and if they did not all the nurses

would set aside their prejudices just on the basis of a class; but if

they did, and it helped a few nurses, what a benefit that would be to

every patient that follows in the door of that hospital or any

hospital where they go to work?? Man oh man would I love to help

teach THAT class!!

What do you guys think?? Is it worth Jess including in her letter?

Cheryl in AZ

[Guest guest]

I would definitely write a letter to the administrator of the hospital. No

other person, including health professionals, have the right, or the ability to

judge your pain. Pain is subjective. It is our duty, as health professionals

to treat it accordingly.

I work in a busy pain clinic, and have heard the comments amongst the nurses

about the amount of meds, or types of meds somebody might need. Usually they

have no concept of living with chronic pain, and the stress and lifestyle

changes it causes.

I have heard very unprofessional comments made by one the doctors to patients,

one in particular a week ago. She left in tears and his comment was that she

needed " tough love " . The patient asked him to please read her medical history

and not just rush through another epidural without understanding her condition.

He literally yelled at her, told her it wasn't his fault her back was messed up,

and to just take the shot.

I just cannot believe what patients have to put up with! I love working in the

pain clinic, because, as a nurse with chronic pain, I can understand and

empathize with them.

To hear the abuse that is going on makes me so angry. And these patients are

dependent on health professionals for help. I think all health professionals

should be educated in pain

management. It applies to everybody

CA

Cheryl in AZ wrote:

Would it be worth it to tell the hospital administrators that you

expect them to provide their nurses with training to understand

chronic pain management, and the difference between CP management and

addiction??

[Guest guest]

I would definitely write a letter to the administrator of the hospital. No

other person, including health professionals, have the right, or the ability to

judge your pain. Pain is subjective. It is our duty, as health professionals

to treat it accordingly.

I work in a busy pain clinic, and have heard the comments amongst the nurses

about the amount of meds, or types of meds somebody might need. Usually they

have no concept of living with chronic pain, and the stress and lifestyle

changes it causes.

I have heard very unprofessional comments made by one the doctors to patients,

one in particular a week ago. She left in tears and his comment was that she

needed " tough love " . The patient asked him to please read her medical history

and not just rush through another epidural without understanding her condition.

He literally yelled at her, told her it wasn't his fault her back was messed up,

and to just take the shot.

I just cannot believe what patients have to put up with! I love working in the

pain clinic, because, as a nurse with chronic pain, I can understand and

empathize with them.

To hear the abuse that is going on makes me so angry. And these patients are

dependent on health professionals for help. I think all health professionals

should be educated in pain

management. It applies to everybody

CA

Cheryl in AZ wrote:

Would it be worth it to tell the hospital administrators that you

expect them to provide their nurses with training to understand

chronic pain management, and the difference between CP management and

addiction??

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I am brand new to the group as of yesterday. I must say

that " hearing " all of your stories about how the medical

establishment mistreats our pain issues, makes me feel better

knowing that it isn't only me.

I have been dealing with chronic pain for the last four years and

the only meds I have been given (and this was only recently, after

visiting emerg for the 6th! time)is oxycodone at one pill a day

before bedtime!

Just one month ago, I visited a clinic doctor, who told me to leave

because I complained of chronic pain and he does not treat or even

look at chronic pain patients due to the high percentage of

fraudulent cases just looking for narcotics!!

I was so upset and humiliated! I don't know if you have the same problems where

you live, but here in Ontario, we have a severe doctor shortage, which leaves

many of us without family doctors,therefore we have to visit walk-in clinics for

help. It's crazy.

I KNOW that I need meds for the pain. It's gotten so bad that I'm

feeling physically beaten by the pain. I don't know what else to do.

It's so wrong to treat people this way. My heart goes out to each

and every one of you who have had to deal with the ignorance that is

so obviously prevalent out there, I know how you feel!

(P.S. My diagnosis is fibro 8 years ago or so and herniated discs

causing compression, chronic sciatica and mild scoliosis)

[Guest guest]

ok cool how do you feel about including some of the local news reporters as

well, to give them some heat to do something, cuase i could see the news loving

this.

Cheryl in AZ wrote:

If it were me, however, I wouldn't threaten the administrators as you

suggest in the snip above, at least in the first letter. That would

set up a climate of antagonism that you don't want; give them the

benefit of the doubt that they will do their jobs ethically, even if

the nurse didn't.

Cheryl in AZ

[Guest guest]

To be honest, I would not demand or ask anything of them and I

would also hold off on cc a letter to any state medical board unless

they do not respond and remedy the situation .

I would ask to see the triage nurses notes and the intake chart and

have them remove the addict Your MD can help by writting a short

note that you are properly using your medcations as prescribed.

Having addictoin any where on a medical chart is not very

damaegeing . if tey do not m do not threaten any thing but contact

a lawyer . A good one will catch thier attention .

But give them a chance . to reply frist .

By taking the the matter up the food chain so to speak is the best

way to handle it .

It makes you look like you know what you are doing and also

that you really are upset and concerend not to mention it heps in

a legal case .

best of luck

Rick

" Cheryl in AZ " wrote:

> Would it be worth it to tell the hospital administrators that you

> expect them to provide their nurses with training to understand

> chronic pain management, and the difference between CP management

and

> addiction??

[Guest guest]

Opps i ment having addiction on your medical chart can be

dangerous . they should remove it . Sorry aboput that