HELP My care at Jackson Miami after surgery?????

[jws1217]

HELP my hospital stay at Jackson Miami after surgery

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Hi All

not sure where to post or where to turn I am scared, frustrated, and stuck here 1200 miles from family and home.

I just want to know without going into great detatail if anyone had a bad experience after surgery at Jackson memorial. My care was so bad that after surgery that was going toremove scar tissue went into a complete untethering of the cord. After surgery I found out that I cant do anything for 4 weeks. The care was so poor that I had to physically leave friday night tether cord or not wheelchair to taxi, taxi to university of Miami next door. At least here I have the basicneeds met including pain meds for this surgery that hurts like hell. I am still amazed that they let me leave 7 days post /op with i/v still in???

Anyone here of such care. Now my only concern is getting back to rehab at Kessler I am from NY and have no one down here which makes it that more scary. Any sugestions???

Thanks

[Polett]

Hi,

While I cannot give you an answer (as I've never dealt with Jackson Memorial), I'd gladly come visit you if you'd like. Just PM me, ok?

I hope some one can give you a better answer though.

Get well soon.

[noryn]

Talk with your social worker today (at the hospital) so they can start making arrangements to get you back to Kessler (when it is appropriate).

[jws1217]

Hi Polett

Like I said I am from upstate NY with no family here right now. I am trying my best to get the Doctors to write a referal to rehab at Kessler in NJ. Problem is that withthe untehering of the spinal cord is that I have so many restrictions they really dont want me intherapy till 4 weeks post/op. No problem if I werehome. So I dont think they know what to do with me.
Not to mention someone stole all my cloths at Jackson Memorial. I have 1 pair of shorts I was wearing and 2 t-shirts. I am basically screwed. Thanks for the offer to visit I havent seen anyone in weeks. with this bed rest I am going mad. It wouldnt be so bad if I could get them to manage my pain though it seems like they dont care, what are pain meds more expensive in Florida rather than NY. I never had this problem after surgery. Thet have me on a PCA pump that is no help. I would be better with my family DR writting me a script how hard is it or dont they want to treat pain here in Florida? Any sugestions.

[noryn]

The hospital has a social worker or case manager that should be able to help you make arrangements to be discharged to Kessler. When the time comes. But you need to have them begin working on this now, even though it may be a bit before you are discharged or cleared for therapy there.

With your pain issue, talk with the nurse supervisor or nurse manager of the floor. Tell them that you are getting inadequate pain relief and have them document your concern. Be polite but tell them you do not feel your pain is being treated appropriate.

The surgeon needs to be notified as well that you are having significant pain. Offer to give them your family doctor's name and number so perhaps they can even consult with him/her how they were managing your pain. If you have been on opioid based pain medication chronically then you will have a tolerance and may need more than someone who does not take them. Pain is now considered to be a 5th vital sign. They have a duty to treat this to the best of their ability (which may not equal no pain but should be close to an acceptable amount of pain).

Above all be firm but polite. Most of the staff are probably very short staffed, not your fault but that is the reality of the situation. What are they giving you for pain? What is their reason for not giving anything else?

Also check to see if they have a physiatrist that could be called in for a consult.

[thehipcrip]

jws, in addition to seeing the hospital social worker, ask if the hospital has a patient advocate on staff. Most hospitals have a dedicated staff person whose job it is to help resolve patient problems -- that person should be able to help you with all of the problems you're having.

So very sorry you're having such a bad experience. It's hard enough to be so far from home when things go well -- I can't imagine how rough it is when it seems everything is going wrong. My thoughts are with you.

--THC

[jws1217]

Help finding rehab near Miami

Hi

I am from upstate NY and am currently at Miami University Hospital. I am looking for an accute rehab somewhat local though I refuse to go back to Jackson. I can not return home right away so I turn to other people with SCI. Can anyone reccomend a nice accute rehab within 50 miles.

Thanks Mark

[jws1217]

Trying to get to rehab

Thanks for the advice I am trying ny best. I guess I fall through the cracks again. I cant travel by myself in a wheelchair even with a nurse because if I do then I am well enough to go home. I am to well to go by air ambulance but not well enough to travel with a nurse??? Maybee I should threaten and I would to use an electric chair to from Miami to NJ then would I qualify. Hey I am willing to yake one for the team. This is not fair I want the best rehab to get better I am not going to let them place me in some 2nd hand rehab somewhere especially after Spinal surgery. Any thoughts keep them coming

Thanks Mark

[SoFla]

I am confused. Are you in JMH, U of M rehab, or some place else? Are you still under the care of your surgeon? Please, talk with the patient advocate, and social worker. They can and will get your concerns addressed.

[SoFla]

Health South in Sunrise, FL.

[noryn]

Maybe the SCI nurses will have something better to say about Healthsouth but I really don't think they are among the best SCI centers.

Have you called Kessler? Perhaps speak with a social worker there who may be able to arrange transport.

Shepherd in Atlanta may be another option. Do not even consider a long term care facility or "nursing home" that offers short term rehab.

Tell your current social worker/case manager or discharge planner (whoever it is) that you want to be sent to a model SCI center. They need to start looking into this/making arrangements.

[noryn]

Have you talked to anyone at your current hospital? Who? What have they told you?

How did you get to Florida by the way?

[noryn]

I just went back and read a bit of your former posts. I should have did this before responding. Let me defer my recommendations because I do not know what you qualify for. The SCI nurses will likely know.

I don't know that having this procedure done will make you eligible for these SCI centers.

[thehipcrip]

I'm getting more confused with every post.

Why are you pushing so hard to get into rehab? Every one I know of who has had the detethering surgery has had their physical activities severely restricted for at least four weeks after the procedure. It seems to me that if you are too medically fragile to fly home to NJ, then rehab may not be the best place for you.

When you discussed the surgery with your surgeon, what did he tell you about the recovery process? What plans were made, and what went wrong with them? Did your surgeon transfer you to the new hospital, or did you check yourself out of Jackson Memorial on your own? Who is overseeing your care now?

[SCI-Nurse]

I agree. It is unlikely you would qualify for admission to an acute rehab center. Most likely they would want to place you in a nursing home until you are able to be active and fully participate in therapy, and travel.

I am puzzled about why you are trying to resolve this now. Were you not told prior to the surgery what your limitations would be, and that you needed to have a viable discharge plan? Have you talked to your surgeon about these problems and did you talk to them pre-operatively? How did you get from your home to Miami in the first place?

(KLD)