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A Letter to the Admissions Director About my Father

October 2010

Admissions Director
Long-Term Care Facility
Georgia

RE: H., Room XX, October 2010

Dear Admission Director:

I am writing to state in no uncertain terms how utterly appalled I was/AM with the lack of care (UN)provided to my Father, Mr. H., during his short stay at your "healthcare" facility on Tuesday afternoon/evening.

Dad had been at "your long-term care facility" for approximately five hours and still had nothing to drink, no tray table, no breathing treatment, no pain medication, no urinal, no nothing. He had not even been so much as offered a cup of water (even though I continuously requested these items from your staff for his comfort and care).

The oxygen machine that was initially provided shortly after arrival to Room XX kept alarming and not operating correctly. I had to attempt to locate a staff member each time to correct the situation (this generally took approximately 5 minutes per alarm). Shortly thereafter, this same faulty piece of equipment stopped producing oxygen altogether with no alarm going off. It was more than apparent to me that if "I" had not been present to continuously seek out staff and report, and eventually insist your staff replace it, I gather Dad would have been without oxygen for hours, too.

Also, a CNA brought in Dad's dinner tray and plunked it down on a stand by the window several feet from my Father's bed (as there was STILL NO tray table in his room). I immediately mentioned his inability to stand or walk, in addition to aspiration issues/concerns... i.e. he had to eat sitting straight up; he had to remain sitting straight up for at least 30 minutes after finishing his meal; he needed to be watched while eating to ensure he did not choke (as he has a previous history of this while eating since his stroke in 2008). This CNA simply looked at me without saying a word and walked away (as if to say, hey, I only deliver trays).

There was no television nor telephone in the room. It was also hot, as there appeared to be no air conditioning.

At one point I went looking for the evening shift nurse, as Dad had STILL NOT received a breathing treatment or his meds. Your charge nurse only acted positively irritated "I" was bothering her with questions about a patient. The woman kept a scowl on her face and would not even look at me!

My Dad went from being all smiles and relatively jolly to looking extremely depressed; he looked as though he'd just as soon go ahead and die as to be left in your facility. I did/do not blame him. "I" would want to as well, under the same circumstances.

On that note, yes, I contacted his primary care physician, Dr. M. Upon explaining all of this to Dr. M. he ordered my Father transferred back to the hospital as a direct admit under his care.

I did contact my younger brother to meet the transport company at your facility to manage this transfer/transport from your facility back to the hospital. My brother stated he found Dad in his room with the lights off and no one checking in on him.

I thank God Above that Dr. M. transferred my Dad back to the hospital, because after the appalling patient care, or I should say LACK THEREOF, that I witnessed? I would not allow you people to take care of my beloved 8 year old cat!

The hospital is an excellent facility with a very kind, caring and concerned staff; a patient care technician or a nurse checks my Father every 15-20 minutes even when they are extremely busy. They are also very warm and understanding toward family members of patients in their care. I found this to be the case with my previous experience at another long-term care facility as well. This facility, on the other hand, should have it's doors permanently closed!

Please know that my Father, Mr. H., will NOT be returning to your "healthcare" facility (and I use the term 'health & care' very loosely). Additionally, he is not to be billed any charges beyond October 2010.

Division of Family and Children Services was notified of my Father's removal from your facility upon their office opening this morning.

I will be filing complaints with the appropriate state agencies.

Noteworthy, on a personal note, health provider company name can "lose my resume for employment". I now know why Mr. R. did not hire me several months back. He evidently "picked up on" the fact that I am a very caring person, i.e. as an employee of health provider company I would have reported this type treatment of elderly patients to the state myself, job or no job!

I remain appalled and feel extremely sorry for anyone who is forced to be a resident of your healthcare facility, for the only thing I witnessed in the very short time my Father was a "bed rest and rehab only" patient was ABHORRED TREATMENT OF THE ELDERLY!

This email will follow in formal letter form via certified mail.

Regards,
O.

RE: H., Room XX, present in your facility from approximately 1:00pm until approximately 10:00pm on Tuesday.

NOTE: Exact arrival and departure times can be verified by transport company.

... and H. short stay was TOO LONG as far as I am concerned.

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