| Lack of communication during hospital evacuation stressful |
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| Local Content - Letters to the Editor |
| Written by publisher |
| Tuesday, 02 March 2010 16:51 |
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Dear Editor, My mother-in-law was one of the patients transferred out of Maple Creek Thursday night to Shaunavon at 8 p.m. We, her family, were not given any prior notice or any information regarding the problem until 5 p.m. that evening when the nurse came around and said that the hospital is now closed and all patients would be transferred out. We, her family, were not given a choice of facilities to have her sent to – that decision had already been made for my mother-in-law. My mother-in-law became very upset – and anxious – which is very serious to her current medical problem. She was given medication to comfort her on her ambulance ride. When asking the medical staff at the Maple Creek Hospital why this was happening, they couldn’t answer, they were very apologetic and very sympathetic to all families involved. The medical staff told me that they received a directive from Dr. Radevski and they had to follow it. Of course, it’s understandable that the medical staff had to follow a directive, as I am sure that Dr. Radevski also had a directive to follow. When talking to Mr. Greg Dunn (senior management with Cypress Health Region) Thursday night, he, of course, would not divulge specifics to me. He could tell me that it was a hazard problem with air quality control. He would not say what the exact problem was. He told me that this could be a long-term problem. What is long term? Again, he would not answer. I realize that air-quality control is a very serious issue and thank the health region for dealing with the issue immediately. However, the way the problem was dealt with leaves a distraught patient alone in an unknown hospital. With a problem like asbestos, it definitely can lead to further seriousness and severe complications. I am thinking that the problem was not found at 5 o’clock on Thursday, but had been previously known about. So if that was the case, why was there not a contingency plan in place that could have been communicated to all staff, patients and their families? A simple phone call explaining what could happen so that everyone could have been prepared would have been appreciated. The issue at hand is lack of communication directed by Cypress Health Region to the Maple Creek Hospital staff and the familes of those patients involved. Upon talking to Mr. Dunn, I was given a shaky apology regarding the fact that no direction or information was given to any of the families. Poor management as I see it. I requested that the health region be in constant communicaion with the families in this situation. As of writing this, we still have not had any communication as to the problem at the hospital, what alternative measures will be provided to patients, or a timeframe. Mr. Greg Dunn told me that he would communicate with our family. But yes, it was the weekend, and no one communicates on weekends. I also asked Mr. Dunn why my mother-in-law was sent to Shaunavon and not to Swift Current where she has received care for her medical problems previously. I was told that there were no rooms available. I shake my head and I am sure that everyone else is too right now! Again I received the same answer when I tried to transfer my mother-in-law to the hospital in Swift Current on Friday. The doctor told me that Swift Current hospital is for acute care only and not for long-term care. He said that the beds that are available are for medical emergencies only. Well, what do we have right now?, I asked. He couldn’t answer me. We bantered back and forth when he eluded that this was all politics, in which I also concurred with him. Why does someone’s health have to be the ‘monkey in the middle’? Had she been transferred to Swift Current, family members who do live in the city would be available to provide comforting care when her Maple Creek family wasn’t there. Family and compassion is so important when dealing with an illness. However, the Cypress Health Region believe that they knew what was best for our family member and I don’t think they believe that compassion and family are important when dealing with a terminal illness. She is able to communicate with her cell phone, but is not the same as having family members right beside her. I do want to state that the quality of care that my mother-in-law has incurred so far has been exceptional here in Maple Creek and also in Shaunavon. The nursing staff, EMS staff, and all others that have been a part of my mother-in-law’s care should be proud of the great services that they provide. I do feel for the hospital staff who also were inconvenienced with this closure of the hospital. Communication should be an integral part of any workplace. As I see it, communication is something that Cypress Health Region lacks right now. I will continue to advocate for my mother-in-law – she deserves it! So for now, my mother-in-law will stay in Shaunavon – our family has travelled all weekend to be with her. I wonder if we could claim personal expenses with the health region for lost wages, transportation costs and meals? Oh yes, can’t forget the overtime too, because we travelled outside of regular working hours. Thanks for all the support from our friends and family during this trying time. Too bad I can’t thank the senior management of Cypress Health Region. Heather Reznechenko Maple Creek |
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