Hospital Patient Advocate Call

 

Due to that brief polite call I made regarding the rib fracture issue. 

As I said, I wasn't mad, I just thought they'd want to know, because this isn't their usual.

I was surprised with the way she started out, she kind of came at me. Not an attack or rude necessarily. I have no experience with patient advocates, so I assumed they were there to listen to concerns based on their title, so I took the call - NOT to defend the hospital to you as if they're a lawyer lol.

She brought up the fact that I signed myself out on AMA regardless, when it was clear he wanted me to stay for 24 hours for "internal injuries."

So I gently pushed back ...

"Well, now, wait just a minute, here - first of all, this happened long before I signed out - so what we're NOT going to do is pretend like if I hadn't, this wouldn't have happened." 

"Secondly, speaking of his notes, he said that he recommended a 24-hour observation unit to 'monitor for potentially delayed internal bleeding ' - NOT - "due to known internal injuries" - and there's a big difference."  

"That is because there was no question about the fractures, we knew they are there; thus, why I was referred to outpatient treatment long before this. And if he was worried about those, he would've admitted me immediately, rather than observation - but he didn't." 

"Therefore, his recommendation for a 24-hour observation was ONLY to monitor for RISK of internal bleeding -  NOT due to internal injuries overall."

"Lastly, on that note of signing out AMA, I did so only after the referrals were made, after I asked first the nurse, then  doctor, after 6-1/2 hours in the ER with no vital sign changes or changes, worried about the cost." 

"The nurse, and even the doctor later, agreed I was 'likely out of the woods, they just wanted to be sure' on the internal bleeding" and "vital signs are still stable and good"  so they will consent to signing myself out - *IF* - I understood the explained risks and warning signs of internal bleeding to watch out for." 

She conceded this was, in fact, the case - he DID say internal bleeding - NOT - internal injuries overall.

She asked me if I'd made that outpatient appointment with Neurosurgery.

 

Me: "Oh, glad you mentioned that - did you all know that we are currently short on neurosurgeons in this town? I didn't.  Just so you know, there is currently a 1-2-month wait to see a neurosurgeon for any issue unless it is life-threatening." 

"Thus, they can't see me locally until October 15th - nearly one month from the accident. Thus, I am going to need to travel to Louisville, unless my attorney can find one locally through their connections."

I then reassured her that I had no intention of including the healthcare system in my bodily injury claim, nor was I trying to act like a Karen, it's not a big deal as long as it's been corrected on my documentation.

I just wanted to let them know what happened for quality improvement and reassured them we would continue to use this hospital system and otherwise loved this hospital, they took great care of my husband with stroke -  I just thought they'd want to know what happened as a one-off in feedback. 

She softened a little bit after that, and said as for the broken rib, she said it likely wasn't addressed because we don't wrap or treat broken ribs anymore.

Me: "I understand that now, but I didn't at the time - I only learned this after being referred to Orthopedics for the ankle and wrist, who explained it." 

"You all may know rib fractures aren't treated anymore as healthcare professionals, but patients don't now that  until you tell us." 

" We also don't know what to do or not do, what activities we should avoid or not avoid, what signs to watch for worsening fracture, or expected healing time, - again, until you tell us." 

"That's what I'm saying, this wasn't addressed at all in discussion OR my discharge instructions; in fact, the doc said I didn't have a rib fracture when I asked, trying to tell him the brace was hurting my ribs badly!"  

"In fact, though I was pretty sure I had a rib fracture, I didn't even know for sure until I read my own radiology report the next day myself, because nobody addressed it."

 

Patient Advocate: "Well, I guess that's because we were so focused on your back, but the diagnosis is mentioned in your paperwork, just not in your after-care instructions."

 

Me: "I get that, and I totally understand and appreciate that - and yet there's a difference between what healthcare professionals assume is the most painful injury versus actual patient pain experience, right?" 

"My ribs hurt worse than my back, and I tried to tell them that, especially when they put the brace on, but it was never addressed; in fact, the doc said I didn't have a rib fracture." 

"And again, although you all know rib fractures  receive no treatment anymore, patients don't know that, you have to tell us and/or put it in the discharge instructions about what to do/not do, healing time, etc.. Does that make sense?"

 

Patient Advocate: "Absolutely, it does - I'll agree with you on that. Just because we know ribs aren't treated anymore doesn't mean the patient does, and you all definitely need to know that it could take up to 6 months to heal and not to lift anything over 5 pounds if you can help it. We could probably do better about communicating that, so I've notated that." 

 

Me: "That's the only suggestion for improvement I have. The rest of this, let's chalk up to miscommunication, because I mean, I could've misheard him, I was in pain. Well, that issue, and then there's the missing toradol shot I never received." 

"So ... when I first got there, I asked them to try everything before opioids first, because narcotics make me vomit.  So in addition to the basic Tylenol I asked for, the doctor said he would order a toradol shot, but it never arrived." 

"In fact, no one entered my room at all after the shift change at 11 p.m. After another 1-1/2 hours, I hobbled out to go to the bathroom by myself and asked the nurse about the toradol shot." 

"I was afraid to even do that because though the ER wasn't busy, I know there are patients there with worse problems -  but at the same time, it was now 2 hours later - 5 hours since entry to the ER -  so the Tylenol had worn off and the pain was really ramping up." 

"That is when the nurse told me the toradol shot was not ordered and she was having trouble reaching the doctor." 

"She said he "kept disappearing' and it was starting to piss her off. She literally said 'I don't know where he's going, watching football for all I know, but I have been unable to reach him. He's around here somewhere, just not responding to my texts and calls about you or any other patients.' 

"Then she said would find someone to just go ahead and order opioids. She was more frustrated than I was! 😂" 

"I mean, we're trying to keep people off opioids because of the risks, right? So here's myself and the nurse trying to do just that, but he forgets to order the toradol  shot entirely until hours later, and we're now at opioid level of pain." 

Then she said she notated that and would check into that with the nurse to see about that, she hadn't checked with her yet and there was no mention of a toradol shot anywhere.

I said "That's because he forgot to order it. So there's no documentation of it, but if you ask that nurse, she will confirm that she tried to contact the doctor about it later."

Then, I again reassured her that I had no intention of including the hospital on the bodily injury suit, and I'm not mad, I just thought they'd want to know - I would, if it were my hospital, for quality improvement purposes.

It's all good - whew, what a stressful week, though, right?

And yet I'm still handling it all with a smile and a joke, for the most part, providers and staff have actually commended me on my kindness and sense of humor through it all.

However, there's one exception - don't be trying to gaslight me or make your own documented medical mistakes MY fault, now, just to cover your asses, People -  I don't take well to that - AND there's no need for you do do that!

Because again, I don't plan on suing anyone in healthcare - we all make mistakes or misspeak or miscommunication. 

There was no real harm done - and as long as my injuries are now documented correctly for my auto insurance to cover now, and we learned from it all, then I'm happy. 🙂

I'm not a very litigious person (though perhaps I should have previously in life) -  and I don't plan on becoming one now 😂.

So the only planned litigation I have is a bodily-injury attorney to mediate a settlement with my insurance company for an accident that has been deemed 100% the other driver's fault- period.

MAGA-Supporting Business and Property Owners Starting To Feel the Burn - and I Chose non-MAGA attorneys ...

Now, before I start this post, allow me to say that I do have MAGA-supporting friends and family, whom I love dearly - we just don't discuss politics.

However, it's an entirely different matter when it comes to whom I will do business with - especially who represents me legally. 

After noticing several videos on TikTok about property owners (including ranchers) literally crying and complaining about who they voted for should have nothing to do with property sale or business, I then saw several Reddit posts about local brewery, Ethereal Brewery - how they were holding a fundraiser for Western Kentucky politician and known MAGA supporter, Jason Petrie, including some posts about how sales of products would also go to fund his campaign. (This is from the Lexington Times, a local community newspaper, which is NOT affiliated with our official city newspaper, The Lexington Herald Leader.) 

Since that time, there has been a tremendous backlash on social media including HERE on Reddit. (There was a previous post on this that showed Ethereal Brewing's original post that the moderator has since deleted.)

Also, Ethereal Brewing is deleting posts to avoid possible illegal election fundraising activity and have also since lamented loss of business. 

(As IF MAGA cares at all about illegal fundraising and as IF anyone reporting it would get anywhere with the DOJ).

And as one commenter put it (paraphrasing) - "If a business is outed as MAGA supporting, I already know they're up to some shady shenanigans in business, so no thank you, I'll go to the other 4 local breweries in town - sorry, Ethereal Brewing. You made a choice and this is our choice."

Additionally, my legal team is being coordinated as we speak for the accident, and this morning, I made it very clear that my one condition is - no one who is MAGA-supporting will be representing me or on my legal team.

*** Not the firm as a whole, just my particular legal team representing me can be a current MAGA supporter.***

That's my one big ask, keeping in mind, the other driver's insurance has already claimed total responsibility, so this is essentially almost a shoo-in win already.

I'm sorry, MAGA businesses  - the fact that you trivialize this being about who you voted for means you still don't get it - this isn't like a basketball team you're cheering on or even prior  political elections - it's proof of how much you don't realize (or care?) how much your vote has resulted in wrecking lives and and livelihoods for so many, particularly poor people.

Allow me to break down for you how this is not just about who you voted for.

Essentially, MAGA - whether your realize it or not -  you voted to hurt other people's lives and livelihoods in favor of your own agendas -  based on no proof but political rhetoric -  particularly the poorest and most powerless among us. 

You justified it by demonizing and scapegoating these impoverished groups, particularly along racial or religious lines,  again without proof - and if they protested or defended themselves, you flipped it back on them as proof of bad character from the get-go.

But at the same time, you turn a blind eye to domestic terrorism and violent crime performed by non-immigrant, white, straight Christians, corporate greed/power abuse and corporate pollution, and clear criminal mischief or corruption within your own party.

Such corruption includes, but is not limited to, Trump's pardoning of convicted criminals, ranging from bitcoin fraudsters defrauding millions to violent criminals and rapists,  to worse - pardoning convicted child sex predators -  in what has become clearly a pay-to-play donation scheme - and some of these offenders were actually rewarded by making them ICE agents?

And all of it was done by my so-called fellow Christians, as if God himself sanctioned your actions - and in some cases, in father's house, in my father's house. 

No, fellow Christians - these are thieves in my father's temple you're supporting (or perhaps have even become yourselves).

Sorry if that sounds harsh, but that is the reality of how you voted. 

I still love you, I'm not vilifying you directly for your vote, only who you voted for, who keeps vilifying US as your enemy. 

I'm sorry Trump considers us your enemy - just know that I don't consider you my enemy - but who you voted for is - because he keeps calling US your enemy and we have to defend ourselves. 

Thus, if you follow suit and see us as your enemy, we have no choice but to defend ourselves - and we are starting by refusing to engage in business with, buy property from, or retain legal representation from anyone MAGA-supporting.

I'm truly sorry your businesses and livelihoods are suffering as a result of your choice; however, but you did have a choice - and these are the consequences of that choice.

Quite honestly, at least you can afford to have a business - and it's nothing compared to the suffering others have suffered at the hands of who you voted for - and you DID have a choice.

Lexington? Grrr ... I'm 'Bout to Move to Louisville

Edit:  My husband was concerned about what I said about the physician at the ER, being the only named entity in this post and one prior - not the doctor, but I did name the entity itself. 

So ... I have no intention of getting legal with them, I just politely reported the mistake so they can correct it.

Thus, if anyone there wants to legally draw attention to their own mistake and liability based on what I've said here, be my guest -  lol. 

Otherwise, at present, I have no intention to include the hospital's mistake in my bodily injury claim.

__________ ORIGINAL POST ____________________

So we have a known doctor shortage here in Lexington, in recent years, but listen to this ...

So the neurosurgeon's office calls me Monday and tells me they will put my case in "clinical review" and that it will be a couple of days to have an appointment scheduled.

I'm thinking "Oh, okay, I can wait a few days."

The neurosurgeon's office finally calls me back today and say they can see me for a first visit on October 15th - nearly one month since the accident.

Are you kidding me with that???

I have not seen anyone for my fractured vertebrae since the ER, I have no idea what to do or not do, the brace doesn't fit properly, I'm not sure what to do to manage pain going forward, I have no idea the treatment or healing time - nothing. 

BTW, I have since learned that the ER physician that missed several things - whom the ER nurse told me that night "disappears" frequently on shift - has a horrible reputation at the hospital. I learned this from other employees there, either at other doctor's offices or through Mark's work at FCPS who have family members who work there - including a day shift ER nurse, an OR nurse, and a surgical tech. 

They asked his name and immediately reacted that he had horrible reputation and said he'd been reported multiple times and hoped I had as well. I was wondering because Baptist is the best in town and I'd had positive experiences with them, especially with my husband's care.

So neurosurgeon's office advised to let my PCP manage it until then.

My PCP was shocked and was scrambling to find someone else, but not in THIS town, anyway. 

Because trying to help her out to find someone, I called the other major health group in town - they don't see motor-vehicle accident cases.

Then I called UK as a last resort because even though they win lots of awards nationally, locally, they have a horrible reputation.

They are actually 2 months out.

My PCP was scrambling trying to find another option.

I decided that I will just go to Louisville, like I started having to do for my mammograms. 

I called to see what they have and UofL can see me next Wednesday. 

Also, I went to the orthopedics doctor today -  I discovered I also have a broken wrist - so make that blunt-force trauma injury to the abdomen resulting in a fractured 11th rib, an L1 compression fracture, a fractured left wrist, and a sprained left ankle. 

However, I keep reminding myself it could've been way worse. 

Anyway, as we were leaving, someone ran a red light and Mark slammed on the brakes - us the car to the right of us both nearly plowiedinto them - so we were nearly in another accident! 

WTF, Lexington?

Get off your freaking phones and pay attention!

Actually, when speaking with my insurance company, the agent said she moved here about a year ago, but worked for this company for years, and has never seen the like of accidents in Lexington, KY - particularly near Nicholasville Road, it's scary!

Isn't that insane about the neurosurgeon wait!?!

So they were just going to leave me sitting there with a fractured vertebrae seeing no one since the ER for a month??? Who does that?

Otherwise, in other news: 

Good news: 

As I said, the other driver's insurance has taken full responsibility.

Bad News: 

We had just bought this car in June and will be underwater for a few thousand that will not be covered in valuation of the car that we will be responsible.

Bad News: 

In addition to that, we have to come up with a down payment for a new car.

Bad News: 

We will need a second loan for the replacement car.

So that's 2 payments, one for a car we don't even own anymore.

Had we GAP coverage on the loan, it would've covered it - which I'd never heard of and no one offered us - but I will get it now!

Bad News: 

If your car just needs repair, you get 30 days rental.

If it's totaled, you get 3 days - and it's non-negotiable.

All of this money out of pocket is making my head spin! 

Good news:

Mark settled his portion because his injuries weren't as severe, so we  at least have some cash flow to cover the rental, etc.

Good news: 

I have contracted an attorney for bodily injury. A good one.  

They are the most reputable in town -  and no, not one of those with commercials that dress up as Superman and act all crazy on TV -  I don't need Superman, I need a good lawyer because insurance companies are trying to save themselves money, which I get, as any business would - so it's always a good idea to have an attorney to help negotiate settlements. 

This firm comes highly recommended by several reputable people. 

Since the other insurance has already taken responsibility, it shouldn't be too long - just have to be seen by all physicians and have an expected time of healing and treatment. 

If you're praying people, keep praying or send good vibes our way - thank you, love to all who've reached out!

One thing about this town - news travels fast!

Someone from Mark's work actually saw the accident and people we had no idea even knew have reached out. 

If there's one good thing about Lexington is that when people hear of things like this, they don't avoid, they reach out and when they say "What can I do to help?" they mean it (though I usually don't take it, don't want to burden anybody).

My dentist even called to check on me, isn't that nice? LOVE her, as I've said before.

All of this to say, as my grandma used to jokingly say when things were bad, but not life-threatening "Well, I reckon I'll live, anyway" 😂- but I want to move to Louisville for nothing more than healthcare, like, yesterday!

Other Driver Deemed to Be 100% at Fault! (Yes, Their Insurance Took Full Responsibility)

 

Oh, thank the Lord, and I mean that!

I mean, we knew it was, but ya never know with insurance companies.

Update - How Did He Miss This? (Pic Added)

  

Just got my test results and I have also fractured my 11th rib. 

I kept telling the doc my ribs actually hurt worse than my back and that it hurt when I breathed in, but he kept blaming seatbelt muscle pain.

I also told them the brace was killing my ribs and I specifically asked about a possible rib fracture on discharge, and was told "No" - and there is no mention if it at all in my discharge paperwork whatsoever.

HOWEVER, it's clear as day on my radiology report ... circled in red, separated out by itself, just 2 lines down from the vertebral fracture.

How do you miss that???

Me: "Are you sure? Because it sure feels like one, it's worse than the back pain." 

Doctor: "Yep, I'm sure  - there's no rib fracture, just soft tissue swelling."

Um - yes, there is, Dude - you just missed it, though it's clear as day on my radiology report - and that brace you gave me made it worse, not accommodating for this.

Bitch, I'm a medical transcriptionist, I used to type this stuff before it went to AI - and I read ALL documentation later, when others don't.  There is a fracture of the 11th rib mentioned clear as day on the radiologist's report, you just skimmed it/didn't read it properly - so cease and desist with the gaslighting, please😂

I didn't say any of that, of course, just said "Alrighty" and put the brace on, though it killed my ribs!

The reason this is important is because they don't wrap ribs anymore - that is because they've realized that any further compression on rib fractures can worsen the fracture -  thus, why the back brace was increasing my rib pain, because it wasn't allowing accomodation for that - there will have to be a custom brace made to accomodate that.

HOWEVER again - as mentioned, I'm great with physical pain, I have a high pain threshold - so I was joking and laughing with the staff, too - perhaps he didn't realize how much pain I was actually in?

I did mention several times that the ribs hurt worse than the back, especially when they put the brace on - and for him to tell me there's no fracture when it says it clear as day on the radiologist's report is just not paying attention.

This is was Baptist Health Main - and to be honest, I was surprised at how lax they were and they weren't busy. 

(The nurse did say that this particular doctor "disappeared" for hours sometimes. Yay, that's helpful lol. I did wonder.)

Everyone was super nice still though. It surprised me because we've always had excellent care. Shoudda gone to Hamburg location lol. 

Oh well, seeing my regular doc today who can tell me what I need to do about THAT, and will be seeing neurosurgeon Wednesday. 

This is proof that doctors don't half read their documentation, and it's only going to get worse with AI. 

Thus, always, always, ALWAYS read all your documentation later, folks.

________________

PS - I'm not really mad; in fact, I feel validated - I'm saving my pissed energy for dealing with auto insurance companies! 😂

However, I did nicely report this to the ER that it was missed, but very nicely. 

I Know This Is Cheesy, But ... My Hummingbird Visitor ...

 

So I have hanging basket of pink petunias on my balcony, I've had them all summer. Every day, a hummingbird comes and visits them while I'm sitting out there, just very briefly, and then flies away.

Now - anyone who knows me knows that I'm a bird lover, but I especially love hummingbirds - they fascinate me. In fact, when my mom sends me a birthday card, she always gets one with a hummingbird. 

Though I'm mostly lying down, I get up every now and then to avoid stiffness, as well as pneumonia from lying so much. 

Today, the hummingbird came by twice while sitting in my chair roughly 4 feet away from the flowers - and it literally flew over to me and hovered right in front of my face at eye level with me, like just checking me out!

Hummingbirds are skittish and don't stay long, which is why I'm never able to get a picture - so that's especially weird that it would fly directly over to me, 5 feet away, hover right in front of my face - twice.

Maybe it knows what I normally look like without the brace on and was curious what that is about lol. Maybe it was just curious in general about the lady that put the flowers up for their daily meal. 

So I just said "Well, Hello, beautiful! Thank you for visiting me."

I have no idea why - but it gave really perked me up from my worry!

And yes - I am on pain meds, but only taking them twice a day instead of 4, only when I really need them - so this was NOT a hydrocodone-induced hallucination! 😂

So those moments of worry that start to creep in about the financial impact of what's happened?

I normally just try to redirect to healing up quickly being the best way to fix that situation, as well as to focus on what I can control and what I can't, especially on a weekend when so much is closed.

So this happened in one of those moments where worry was creeping in - but this time, it was the hummingbird, rather than pain meds OR my thought redirection that inspired me! 😂

Hey, who knows, maybe there's something to that Native American belief that nature sends spiritual messengers during stressful times. Or maybe it's coincidence. 

All I can say is, this is not the first time something in nature came very close to me, when it normally doesn't, during a stressful time  - and I know I'm not alone in that.

I mean, I teared up, I had such a hopeful feeling with that. Okay, maybe THAT's the pain med effect, that part, because I haven't cried at all since this happened lol. 

But what is more inspirational than nature?

I know it's cheesy, but cool thing to see right now, right? 

PS - Picture

 

So this is my lower abdomen today - sexy, right? 😂

(My hips and legs are to the left, so yes, I was wearing my seatbelt correctly, hips are bruised too.)

Yeah, so clearly I don't have washboard abs anymore at 57, but the lumps there are actually swelling from the bruising and little cuts from the crash - and I have one big one on my knee - but I didn't even feel them until today!

So ... it's this impact of the seatbelt that caused the compression fracture.

Also, this brace I have to wear is super sexy as well. 😂

I told the security guard when leaving the hospital, who was wearing a tactical vest that looks similar, only my brace is heavier and comes down to my lower back -  "So now I know what it feels like to wear one of these, but I don't look as cool." 😂

Also, the insurance people asked if we had any pictures of the accident.

Sure, sure, yeah - her car flipped over and I broke stuff, so the first thing I thought of naturally was a selfie next to our totaled cars😂

(Sarcasm.)

Nah, she was a super nice lady, but she knew I broke stuff and how bad it was, so I'm pretty sure nobody was taking pictures. 

Just grateful everyone walked away, right? 

Like I said, could've been SO much worse.