I got to talk to Dr. Patel today...he's the pediatrician on duty this weekend in the nursery. He was the doctor on duty when Evan was born and was the one who initially intubated him after birth. He was happy to see how well he is doing now. Dr. Patel said he felt bad he never got to talk to me after Evan was born since he wasn't on duty the rest of that weekend.
I told him I was concerned that it had been about 3 days since Evan has been maxing out on his O2 saturation levels. Dr. Patel said he would look at Evan's chart tonight and make a change. By the time we came back after shift change, he did knock him down to .4; but all evening, Evan was still almost maxing out on his saturation levels. This means his lungs are finally starting to absorb the O2 he needs. Since he is still hitting O2 saturation levels in the upper 90's, we think he could still come down a notch on the level. We just hope they don't let him sit a .4 for a few days with such high levels. Seeing how they did it at UMC, it's overkill to keep him sat-ing that high....at UMC, the nurses would wean him down (or back up) all the time in reaction to his saturation levels. If they would see him maxing out at 100%, they would immediately turn down his O2 flow (they wouldn't have to wait for a doctor's order). I am thinking at SV, the nurses can't make that judgement call. With the way we have been feeling about the quality of care he has been receiving, we just want him out of there as soon as possible (even if that means we have to take him home on oxygen).
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SVRHC Charges: $1,795.71
Running Total: $335,507.36
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5 comments:
Hello dear! So glad your little one is doing so well and hopeful you will get to take him home soon.. One thing I wanted to advise you on based on firsthand experience: if you are not happy with the care your son is getting, speak up. Talk to the highest level boss you can find on duty, and don't stop until the matter is resolved to your satisfaction. If you don't get it fixed, keep going up the chain. I was a bit shocked: telling an infant to 'shut up' is not appropriate regardless of the situation, and you having to remind the nurses of their duties is unacceptable. They may not be very happy with you, but ultimately their happiness isn't what matters-it's your kiddo! good luck! I'll keep you in my thoughts.. Love, Katy O.
Hi Jen,
Sorry that things are not going well there. You will have him home soon. He really does look great and appears to be well nourished.
Regarding the oxygen situation, 0.4L on a nasal cannula is not over oxygenating with sats at 100%. When he was on a ventilator, the parameters are different because you are utilizing the ventilator to regulate the oxygen and CO2 balance. The point is that there should be MD orders for oxygen titration, ex: titrate oxygen to keep sats between 91-100%. What you need to ask is; are they attempting to wean his oxygen a bit every day? The plan should be to wean a small amount and watch him throughout the day and night. In the nursery setting you would not expect to have to increase/decrease the oxygen frequently as in the ICU. The goal is to reduce the O2 and obtain as acceptable oxygen saturation so that you can either go home on or off oxygen.
Once this is over you can compose a letter to the hospital about your experience. It sounds as though there are some troubles there that need addressed.
Shari
Jen, one more thing, are you able to room in with him yet? Maybe they can set you both up in a room together.
Shari
Jen,
I am sorry to hear that the nurses are not as sensitive to you or the baby as the nurses at UMC. Hang tough, you shoud be able to bring him home soon with or without O2 and definately with an apnea monitor. Like everyone else, I think things that the nurses have done to upset you are valid concerns that should be brought to the Dept manager's attention, along with courtesy copies to the Director of Nursing, and CEO. If you are not happy with their responses then go to the hospital board and newspapers. One last thing, if there is any nurse(s) that is exceptional let everyone know about it.
Love, Eileen
Hi, Jen! Your little man is getting so big!
About those lame-o nurses: everyone has a boss and the minute you think Evan's care is compromised, you should find the boss! Try to sort out what's important versus what's just annoying and take what's important to someone who can do something about it. Their job is to make sure those nurses are doing what they need to do and if there's something going on that truly has a negative impact, they want to know about it. Don't be afraid to sound like a bitch -- I know you've got it in you!
April
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