Experience of A&E

[dunestar]

Just thought I'd share my experience this week of an unscheduled visit to A&E.

About 6pm all of a sudden my heart started to do strange things. After about an hour and a half it wasn't settling so I thought a call to 111 was needed. I ended up in A&E. The paramedics took me through the "green side" as I wasn't showing any signs of Covid.

Great care in A&E but then they mentioned hypoxia, my blood oxygen etc levels were not right. Discharge notes mention I was in Type 1 respiratory failure. Hypoxia is a symptom of Covid. So I was quickly bundled out to the "red side" of A&E. That was a scarier place. I had forgotten to bring my hand gel from home. I wasn't offered any. In my befuddlement it took me a while to work out where the hospital dispensers were.

My biggest concern was that we were all sharing the same toilet. There were 2 but one was out of action because the flusher was broken. I had a saline drip which made me want to go to the loo every two minutes. Two patients came in after me with classic Covid symptoms - you can't help but overhear the paramedics give their handover information. There was a cleaner who was constantly cleaning the floor but never went near the toilet in the 7 hours I was in A&E.

I eventually got admitted - to a respiratory medicine ward I later found out. But I was put in a single room with ensuite! Covid test showed up negative.

Just trying to reflect a bit on the experience. In that hospital - I'm not going to name it but it's in Boris Johnson's constituency - they must have a protocol which says that any sign of hypoxia must be treated in the "red side". Even if the hypoxia is likely to be caused by heart issues.

[Celtic]

What a scary experience, dunestar. Hillingdon, no doubt - it’s had previous problems. I can understand it must be difficult for A&E but there is no excuse for lack of thorough cleaning of all areas, especially now. That needs reporting. Hope you’ve been discharged unscathed and will soon feel better.

[bantam12 in reply to Celtic]

Hillingdon was our local hospital about 30 years ago, it had serious problems then !! Thankfully we are now in a different county.

[Celtic in reply to bantam12]

Think if it was our local hospital, bantam, we’d be moving, too!

[dunestar in reply to Celtic]

We do have Harefield heart hospital, which is brilliant, but doesn't have an A&E.

[Tessie28 in reply to dunestar]

But they can blue light you to Harefield if needs be.

[dunestar in reply to Tessie28]

Oh, didn't know that. Harefield is nearer to me than Hillingdon. Touch wood it won't happen again, but if it does I'll ask if I can be taken to Harefield.

[Celtic in reply to dunestar]

Yes, dunestar, wonderful Harefield. Our neighbour had major heart surgery there a few years ago. Went to visit him two days later and were amazed to find him doing so well and even pain-free so soon. Hope you’re feeling ok now.

[Mikedabike]

Thank you for the update dunestar. It is hard to credit or imagine that hospitals, in particular A & E departments are not increasing their cleaning regimes. It defies all common sense and logic.