I was due to have an angiogram last Thursday but because I hadn't paused Apixaban for 3 days before I couldn't have it. The consultant who was to have conducted the procedure met me and simply said "these things happen" but we then had one of the most disagreeable consultations I have ever had afterwards (without him ever mentioning my forgetting to take the Apixaban). It now seems I have to have another consultation in several months time. Now, the question arises of who is to blame? I was told to pause the Apixaban at the pre-assessment meeting several weeks ago (in fact I even asked then whether I needed to) but on the other hand, the hospital merely sent a generic letter about the procedure with no specific reminder of the date on which to pause the medication. Some friends have said that I am to blame for not being sufficiently careful, but others have said the hospital should have known that this sort of thing can easily happen with older people and that they should have known that people do not always absorb information very well during clinical meetings. I wondered what others think? The major concern is that , according to the secretary , I may have to wait months for another consultation (although, again, this wasn't linked to my forgetting to stop the medication).
Angiogram-who is to blame?: I was due... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Angiogram-who is to blame?
I would say if you were told to stop and you forgot then it is your mistake but what’s done is done, maybe you could ask for a cancellation and hope one comes up.
I now have an appointment on August 1st. I think this might have been a cancellation.
I don't know who is to blame but I find it incredible that doctors expect us to remember all their instructions in many cases without putting it in writing or nowadays, a follow up email. I remember coming out sedation once for a colonoscopy, not sure what planet I was on, and the doctor is rattling off a bunch of stuff that seemed important but was going in one ear and out the other. Hardly being able to speak I said, "Doc, I'm a little out of it now, can we talk later". He acknowledged but seemed a bit miffed. I guess in his mind telling the patient what to do was enough, the understanding part was up to the patient.
Jim
Geez. What a dumb Dr. You're still out of it and he's expecting you to remember a bunch of important information?!?! What planet do these Drs come from.
I think hospitals need to have a policy for giving out information to patients before and after procedures which should involve the instructions being written down. Instructions are written on medicine containers when they are prescribed, so it's not clear why a similar approach isn't adopted in this case.
It's crazy to give out information when someone is still under the effects of sedation. It's such a basic thing you'd think they would be aware of it.
I agree with Bantham.
Fortunately an appointment on August 1st has turned up, so I don't have too long to wait.
Yes. Ok your fault for not pausing as instructed on the pre op but I am amazed they don’t put this in the written instructions as the pre op can be weeks before the actual op. I have done similar. I now get my wife to sit in on everything like that. I couldn’t I. That instance as this was a telephone consultation with nurse and I was on my own as they also called me on the wrong day!
I'm wondering if they have a policy on this. A doctor prescribing a medicine wouldn't rely on the patient remembering the dosage etc. given verbally during the consultation.
I think the assumption is that you are fortunate to be getting the procedure as an elective and you would realise that and make every effort to follow instructions. But I agree that many people don’t for whatever reason remember verbal instructions so it would be sensible to repeat them in writing if hospitals want to avoid wasting slots. As you did remember what you were told but then forgot to do it I’m afraid you are to blame.
What do you mean by a ‘disagreeable’ consultation? And did you mean that the angiogram has now been replaced by another consultation? I think the rules are getting very strict. When I was referred for a dental operation I had to wait a year and I was told that if I didn’t accept an appointment or cancelled I would be discharged and have to be re referred which seems to be what has happened to you, very unfortunate.
I can have the angiogram on August 1st. If I want a CT scan + profusion test instead (which is safer but less reliable) I would have to wait much longer. Presumably because the CT scanners are used a lot for other parts of the body. Also I would have to see the consultant again.
That’s good, then you’ll know if there’s a problem.
Afraid to say I agree with Bantham and Jean. These things do happen but maybe next time as soon as you get the letter mark it down on calendar or diary a few days before to stop taking it. Or write it on the packet or whatever you keep your apixaban in.
I won't forget this time!
Of course you are not to blame in any meaningful sense. The letter you receive needed to have been crystal clear.
If you phone the doctor's secretary, I wonder whether you might be lucky and get a cancellation appointment in the circumstances?
Steve
Yes from what I read the information was not in the generic letter he was sent. I think it should have been reiterated in writing.
I also think that. They have never referred to my missing the procedure which suggests there might have been a lapse.
Sometimes you really have to keep an eye on these medical people. They do give written info here in the states before and after but you still have to be on guard. Drs make many mistakes even when the info is in print. Drs here have amputated the wrong part of someones body because THEY didn't read the info correctly. They are no more perfect than anyone else. Although some of them think they are. 🙄
Fortunately that has happened!
I’m a little confused you say you were told at your pre-assessment to pause the Apixaban. My husband is awaiting an angiogram & has been told during his pre-assessment that he won’t need to pause it before. I think he had better check it out, else the same could happen to him.
Best wishes to you for when you do get to have your procedure & thanks for highlighting this.
I was told to stop taking Aspirin for 3 days.
The angiogram involves being given heparin, which is itself an anticoagulant, so you should definitely check this out. I was told to pause three days before the procedure.
I've seen that some people have been told to stop the anticoagulant up to two weeks before a procedure and others not to stop it at all. Guess it depends on what the Drs believe? Of course they aren't always right. So it's best to ask questions.
I thought pre assessment meeting was to give you all this info, in writing
That's what I thought too. I've now been given another appointment on August 1st which isn't too bad. If I want the CT scan + profusion test I would have to see the consultant again and the wait would be much much longer.
Sorry but why does somebody have to be blamed? Move on. Things happen.
Angry following angiogram letter from a consultant.
Angiogram and Right Cath.
ablation booked 
Edoxaban to Apixaban?
