Unfortunately due to a growing list of antibiotics that
Hubby is allergic to when he recolonizes
a nasty bug called Klebsiella in his urine he has to have a “Domestos”
strength I.V. delivered antibiotic to
clear it up. This necessitates a trip via A&E to get a cannula fitted,
check up on severity, blood tests etc. Then Hubby in theory needs to take up a
hospital bed for up to 7 days for an IV to be given either once or three times
a day depending on which one is chosen. Taking up a bed that someone that needs
high level acute nursing input could justify having more than he.
Last time this happened we got the hospital bit done only
having to stay one night, then we were sent home under the care of Medihome Ltd.
This company employs nurses that mean that hospital care can be given in the
community. We were very thankful to be back at home as being in hospital means
difficulties getting edible food for both of us, being unable to shower Hubby,
carting his special Roho air mattress with us, and generally trying to cope
with his Spinal injury care in an alien environment. We loved this service, the
nurses were some of the most experienced we had come across in a long time.
Only criticism I would have is that the antibiotic was given via a bolus rather
than via IV. I guess time cost money versus minor extra patient risk.
This time was different, we found that Medihome Ltd have not
had their contract renewed to do this service anymore. We were unable to get to
the bottom of what had gone wrong or whether it was purely a financial
decision.
We explained our situation to the hospital consultant who
could see the sense of what we were saying, Hubby is safer at home due to his
pre-existing conditions that make looking after him in a general hospital a
nightmare for all concerned. He had a think about it and suggested we make use
of the new Ambulatory Care Unit, going there once a day in the morning for the
treatment. This having weighed up the alternative of a hospital stay we agreed
to do.
So every morning for five days I got Hubby wrapped up
against the chilly winter mornings, loaded him up in our specially designed WAV
and off we went. Sounds okay doesn’t it? Well if only you knew what that means
for Hubby, 15 minutes each way of pure pain when you are not feeling so good.
It does not matter how slowly or carefully I drive, each speed bump, pot hole or
road imperfection he felt as pain shoots through his spine. Then to arrive and
find no disabled parking spaces adds insult to injury, as I have to unload him
via our ramp quickly to get him inside the warm before his body temperature
starts to drop, him having no body temperature control. (poikilothermia) .
This of course has left us asking why hospital type
procedures cannot be performed in the community? Sometimes it is better for the
patient.
Now a week later he has contracted Clostridium Difficile, no
doubt from being out and about amongst germs that at home I try so hard to
control. So now I try and get his fluid
levels up at home to prevent dehydration as of course that would mean another
dreaded trip to the hospital for IV fluids.
Sometimes being treated at home for people with pre-existing
conditions is not only more comfortable it is safer.
