Drains on a weekend!

[VickySusan]

Has anyone ever had an abdominal drain on a weekend? My dad was only diagnosed a month or so ago if that and needs his second drain already.

Both times he’s been put forward/I’ve called it’s been a Thursday evening/Friday morning and he’s been admitted into hospital until the drain can be done on a Monday. He’s struggling to breathe with lack of abdomen space and it’s driving me crazy they don’t do them on weekends (I know it’s due to lack of staff in case of a complication etc) as in my opinion healthcare should be 24/7, not Monday-Friday!

I’m curious if this is all hospitals, or if it’s specific to ours. Hardly seems right #angry

[Plaingirl]

Hi, I had my first drain done on a Friday night and my second on a Monday night by being admitted through A&E due to breathing problems. The others were planned for a certain morning but if he can't wait over the weekend I would ring an ambulance as they can do them at anytime but would prefer to do them when planned x

[VickySusan in reply to Plaingirl]

He’s there at the moment and I’d like to think they would do it if it gets much worse. How often do you have drains of you don’t mind me asking?

[Plaingirl in reply to VickySusan]

I used to have them roughly fortnightly but I haven't had one since February 2017 as they managed to get it under control with meds & fluid & salt restriction x

[VickySusan in reply to Plaingirl]

That’s fantastic! I’m glad it’s under control for you

[Brett11]

We only have a base hospital in Cairns so ours is mostly during the week BUT at least one nurse on duty 24/7 has to be trained how to do it. Surely if it is urgent, they can call someone in? They have had to call surgeons in for me to operate on a Mallory weis tear.

Cheers,

Brett

[VickySusan in reply to Brett11]

Yes, the weekend staff are trained, they’ve just said it’s in case anything goes wrong. I’m off to google a Mallory weis tear, I’m having a crash course in all things liver at present! thanks

[jojokarak]

Just go a&e if he struggling

[VickySusan in reply to jojokarak]

Luckily, he’s already in hospital to be monitored until they can do it on Monday

[VickySusan]

Yes, he is in hospital. They admitted him when I called on Friday morning, as he is finding breathing difficult and not eating again. But the drain still won’t be done until Monday, as they run on a skeleton staff on a weekend and if there were complications occur during the drain, there’s not enough bodies to cover it. The hospital is in a very built up area, it’s not isolated.

I am sure if I’d really was life or death, it would happen no doubt. It’s just really difficult seeing him so uncomfortable

[Fastkat]

I have often waited in hospital over the weekend until a consultant can be seen Monday to arrange. Often happened Tuesday drain. Consultants should be available 7 days a week to make discharge quicker with no bed blocking.

Nothing really happens at the weekend at my hospital

[VickySusan in reply to Fastkat]

This is it! Ours is the same, this is the second time he’s been taken in, taking up a bed whilst we count down until the week ‘starts’. Whereas if it were a weekday it would be that day, next day latest, and free up the bed quickly. I just struggle to get my head around the Monday-Friday mindset in healthcare

[lovetocreate]

Mine gave all been on week days. But I’m in the US so may be different for you there.

[VickySusan in reply to lovetocreate]

Perhaps! I know the NHS is underfunded and in crisis which I realise has an impact on staff levels etc. And in no way would I expect people to forgoe days off, or time with their own families. It seems to be the system that is broken (no surprise there)