View Full Version : Hospital acquired Infection.
cuddlepop
01-Jul-08, 16:32
I'm really annoyed at the state of our NHS,what has happened to it.
My son required surgery to repair nerve damage to his hand.Glass also had to be removed.
Saturday morning trip to Raigmore,cost £50 in fuel return.
Although we got there by late aftenoon he wasnt taken down till 7pm.We had to go home so luckily my brother went to pick him up the next day and a friend brought him back to Skye.
This weekend his hand was giving him alot of pain so we went up to casulty to be told it was just swelling.Myself and staff nurse queried an infection as even morphine wouldnt look at the pain.Doctor didnt agree.Yesterday we had to take him back up to casulty where the doctor removed his cast and discovered an infection.
Once again we were asked to take him through another £50:~(
Now we arrived lastnight at 10.30 and OH drove back home.I'm staying at my brothers .
My son still hasnt went to theatre,he still hasnt had iv antibiotics and I'm lossing patience.
His hand is his work he's a joiner and now is in a worse way because of an hospital aquired infection.
We will be lucky if we get £30 back in fuel but they would pay a taxi £180 per trip to take him to Raigmore.
What on earth is going on.[disgust]
percy toboggan
01-Jul-08, 17:20
A survey announced yesterday that 30% of people are reluctant to undergo surgery because of possible infection.
I'm one of them.
I hope your boys hands heals quickly. You also give a good insight into a remote, rural existence. I presume 'Raigmore' is in Inverness? Please keep us informed of his progress.
Thanks
cuddlepop
01-Jul-08, 17:26
A survey announced yesterday that 30% of people are reluctant to undergo surgery because of possible infection.
I'm one of them.
I hope your boys hands heals quickly. You also give a good insight into a remote, rural existence. I presume 'Raigmore' is in Inverness? Please keep us informed of his progress.
Thanks
It is Percy and Oh had to drive there after spending all day driving his HGV.
If he had a portable tacko then we wouldnt have been able to go .Thats another arguement for another thread though.
My son is back from theatre and I'll go up tonight with my brother to see him.
They are talking about possble skin grafts as th infection was so widespread.
If he doesnt learn a lesson from this then he never will.:~(
percy toboggan
01-Jul-08, 18:59
Oh dear. I've smallish skin grafts to both hands. Not pretty but they do heal well, especially in a fit young person.
The relevant Minister was on the radio this very mornuing - Alan Johnson. He reckons things are improving with MRSA & c-diff both down by significant amounts. He extolled the virtues of the 'deep clean' but was challenged on this. We have similar infection rates to Malta & Cyprus. More developed nations like Holland and Germany are streets ahead of us in this area. Not good is it?
Keep your chins up.
Margaret M.
01-Jul-08, 19:16
Cuddlepop, I hope your son starts healing now. Getting an infection in a hospital of all places is frightening but unfortunately, very common -- it is the same over here.
teenybash
01-Jul-08, 20:00
The thought of going into a hospital is fightening enough without the added risk of infections.
I have a sone in law who is a doctor and my daughter is a nurse and they are both disgusted with the NHS. They are both of the opinion that the 'Managers' should be ousted as they are not medically trained and have no clinical knoweledge and feel the old syle of Matrons should be brought back.
My daughter was horrified at one hospital she worked at for a short while, to find incontinent patients [through no fault of their own] were in carpeted rooms, where the inevitable 'accidents' were frequent, leaving carpet stained and smelly no matter how much cleaning and shampooing was done.........if that is the lack of hygene that can be seen, what lurks in areas hidden.
Cuddlepop hope your son heals speedilly......keep hanging in there.....
Hope your son makes a speedy recovery Cuddlepop.
When my OH was in hospital they used to make fun of me arriving with a green paper towel in my hands to open the doors, then gel on my hands on the way in to the ward and again at the bedside. The staff asked one day "Why do you gel on the way out of the ward?"..........It is obvious to me that they don`t want my germs in, I sure don`t want their germs home!!
I worked in hospitals for over 30 years and well remember the matrons and the intense cleaning that went on on a weekly or daily rota so that everything was always spotless. I lost heart when the domestic staff were expected to clean toilets with diluted washing up liquid in case the patients drank the bleach.
Would you allow someone who had only cycled loose with an articulated lorry?.........Obviously not, so why have the hospitals run by number-crunchers instead of folk with skilled medical knowledge.
Some years ago in Raigmore we were visiting a relative and there was a sultana on the floor beside his bed. My friend videoed it every day for 10 days as it got moved about the 6 bed room, but never lifted..........the in house domestic department did not do anything about it, and the nurses thought it funny.
cuddlepop
01-Jul-08, 20:49
Just back from the hospital and am afraid to report that the infection is so severe they had to open up his hand from the wrist to the elbow to get all the puss out/They're going back in on Thursday just to make sure they got it all out.
What started out as a good wash out to remove glass from his wrist has now developed into a major ordeal.
His job,holiday,accommodation is now all on the line.:~(
Its unbelievable how "infected" our hospitals.
cuddlepop
04-Jul-08, 11:35
Yesterday's op didnt go as well a they hoped and he'll have to go to surgery again on Saturday.
This is so scarey.Why cant they get on top of this infection?whee did it come from?how could this happen in this day and age?
No one is saying where this infection came from,all that they will say is its nasty.
Temperature was 40 degrees yesterday and they had to cool him down with cold towels and meds.
His arm wasnt even elivated when he got back from surgery and the excuse was they were no proper ones left.
Registra had to insist on something being used ,so they improvised with a pillow case and a nappy pin.
Exsasperated.:~(
CP, I'm so sorry to hear your news. I do hope your boy will be a lot better soon but it must be terribly worrying and distressing for you all.
I spent five months in hospital a couple of years ago with a hospital acquired infection -in fact I had three different ones - and I hadn't even had a wound for an infection to get into. My family found the NHS (I was too out of it to know) was wonderful at the sharp end and literally saved my life.
Of course my life would have been in no danger if I hadn't got the HAI in the first place.:roll: I was in the ICU for a fortnight where the staff and the conditions were first class -but back on the wards was such a different story. There just weren't enough nurses, morale was very low and the standards of hygiene were abysmal. And yes, I saw improvised slings made out of pillow cases as well! :eek:
Of course I was too pleased to still be alive to complain!
I'm thinking of you and I do hope your son will make a full and speedy recovery.
percy toboggan
04-Jul-08, 19:10
I'm thinking of you and I do hope your son will make a full and speedy recovery.
Seconded !!
and I'm sure supported by every regular here.
Keep us informed.
cuddlepop
04-Jul-08, 20:46
At last the staff have identified what infection he has and how to treat it.
for the qualified amongst you its Staph aureus and a mixed anerobic.
appertly its unusual to have them both together and now it can be treated with fluctoxacillin and Metrodazole.
Surgery going ahead tomorrow and hopefully home Tuesday.
Thanks for all your kind wishes they are appreciated.
Scarey statistic though ,out of the 6 beds in his ward 3 have post op infections:(
teenybash
04-Jul-08, 21:03
How awful for your son to have aquired mrsa and necrotizing fascitis.....Everything is crossed that he makes a full and quick recovery, though it is an awful thing to go to hospital with one thing and end up full of infections you didn't have in the first place.
What a worry for you..... everyone will be thinking of you and sending you posi energies. :eek:
cuddlepop
05-Jul-08, 10:23
How awful for your son to have aquired mrsa and necrotizing fascitis.....Everything is crossed that he makes a full and quick recovery, though it is an awful thing to go to hospital with one thing and end up full of infections you didn't have in the first place.
What a worry for you..... everyone will be thinking of you and sending you posi energies. :eek:
Teenbash if he does inded have mrsa then they are not usui..ng barrier methods of nursing.
Everyone really cagey as to the exact reasonhe caught it,all they'll admit too is that he's ben very unfortunate and thats an understatement.:~(
This is a complete nightmare and I do hope your son recovers both quickly and completely, especially as his living depends particularly on the use of his arms.
Will hospitals never learn? This story, sadly all too familiar, should be a wake-up call and at least you could feel it was not all for nothing if the hospital carried out a thorough investigation and made changes to ensure nothing like it ever happens again. But of course they won't.
teenybash
05-Jul-08, 10:55
Cuddlepop Staph Aureas is MRSA........hospital will be at fault there........... the other infection Necrotizing Fascitis is a bacteria that thrives without oxygen and will have got into the deep tissue...........I don't know what is happening with the medics now... they seem to have lost the plot altogether..... Hopefully your son is strong and hardy and makes a quick recovery....keep us posted as you will be worried sick...... and remember talking is good.
cp, I do hope your son's improving and you have good news for us?
A crumb of comfort in his case - if you're young and fit when you go into hospital, you have a much better chance of recovering from any infections.
Not such a comfort for the old(er) and sick(er) of course...[evil]
percy toboggan
05-Jul-08, 14:22
cp, I do hope your son's improving and you have good news for us?
A crumb of comfort in his case - if you're young and fit when you go into hospital, you have a much better chance of recovering from any infections.
Not such a comfort for the old(er) and sick(er) of course...[evil]
Clarification required: When do you stop being 'young' ?
How is he today cuddlepop?
Alice in Blunderland
05-Jul-08, 14:29
Cuddlepop Staph Aureas is MRSA........hospital will be at fault there........... the other infection Necrotizing Fascitis is a bacteria that thrives without oxygen and will have got into the deep tissue............
Staph aureus has different strains. MRSA is one strain. It stands for Methicillin Resistant Staph aureus. This strain is more common in hospitals.This strain is also carried by normal healthy people living in the community.These people are known as carriers of MRSA.
MRSA is not always infective. If it is in carriers it does not require treatment.
My understanding is, if your son is not isolated then probably he hasnt got MRSA. He is probably suffering with a different strain of Staph aureus for which he is getting the treatment in form of Flucloxacillin. Metronidazole is being given for anaerobic infection. Ask the doctor/ nurse next time you are on the ward
Staph aureus is a bug which produces pus.
Clarification required: When do you stop being 'young' ?
Fair question, percy, but I don't know the answer.
I do think it's the combination of being older and chronically ill in the first place that makes people more susceptible to infections and then makes it harder for them to recover from them.
I'm middle aged and was ill enough to be taken into hospital for non-surgical treatment before I contracted infections while I was there. It didn't help that I proved to be allergic to a number of antibiotics.
Younger people do recover more quickly from most illnesses or operations. I was told it would take much longer to recover from my spell in the ICU than it would a 20 or 30 year old.
Having said that, I don't believe that an otherwise healthy middle aged person going into hospital for elective surgery is more likely to have any problems because they are, say, over fifty!;)
cuddlepop
05-Jul-08, 16:45
[quote=Alice in Blunderland;404036]Staph aureus has different strains. MRSA is one strain. It stands for Methicillin Resistant Staph aureus. This strain is more common in hospitals.This strain is also carried by normal healthy people living in the community.These people are known as carriers of MRSA.
MRSA is not always infective. If it is in carriers it does not require treatment.
My understanding is, if your son is not isolated then probably he hasnt got MRSA. He is probably suffering with a different strain of Staph aureus for which he is getting the treatment in form of Flucloxacillin. Metronidazole is being given for anaerobic infection. Ask the doctor/ nurse next time you are on the ward
Unfortunatly lastnight his temp peaked again and puss was ozing from is wound.
Consultant has put him in a single room and wont be available to speak to us until Monday.
My son is down in surgery just now and they will phone when he gets back up to the ward.
We can see him outwith visiting hours too.
trying to get information from nursing staff is like pulling teeth.:~(
percy toboggan
05-Jul-08, 17:21
Metronidazole had a very bad effect on me.
I took it to treat an absess on a tooth.
I felt dreadfully ill for two days.
I hope he is reaction free.
You must be feeling exhausted!
Good luck to him.
Good to know the Consultant's 'clocked-off' for the weekend eh?
Good to know the Consultant's 'clocked-off' for the weekend eh?
Come on, percy, what's that supposed to mean? :confused
Yes, consultants do have weekends -does that offend you in some way?
cp, I really do feel for you. I know it can be very difficult to get any information at all from nursing staff. Do you know who your son's registrar or SHO is?
Consultants are seldom on the wards over weekends in my experience, but your lad won't have been abandoned.
percy toboggan
05-Jul-08, 20:01
[quote=Angela;404089]Come on, percy, what's that supposed to mean? :confused
Yes, consultants do have weekends -does that offend you in some way?
quote]
They should work a rolling week.Illness and sickness don't have weekends off. Or is flexibility just for us lesser oiks?
p.s. I've told you - I don't 'offend' - you overuse that word.
[quote=Angela;404089]Come on, percy, what's that supposed to mean? :confused
Yes, consultants do have weekends -does that offend you in some way?
quote]
They should work a rolling week.Illness and sickness don't have weekends off. Or is flexibility just for us lesser oiks?
p.s. I've told you - I don't 'offend' - you overuse that word.
Some of them do work a rolling week, in A&E and ICU for instance, where there are more consultants because it's necessary for one to be present at all times. They still have to have time off, and in general it makes sense for consultants to take weekends off, because you don't get the elective surgery and other procedures over the weekend that you do during the week.
I don't think I do overuse offend, percy, but never mind, I'm happy to agree to differ.
I'm sure we will agree that the main thing is that cuddlepop's son makes a full and speedy recovery.
My Nephew is a Registrar in Nottingham and before that Glasgow a paediatrician (excuse spelling before patrol set in ) he works weekends extra shifts and always appears to be on call a more dedicated young man I have yet to meet having said that hospitals do appear to have nothing happening at weekends no tests no results etc apart from ICU and A E
I feel for everyone on this thread Cuddlepop for her Son and Angela for having contracted Infection and thank God beat it
I was under the impression that swabs were taken on addmission from the the nostril as that is the most common infected area sent to the labs and if that patient on admission had any infection was isolated that is if the patient took it in to the hospital in the first place
I personally think routine swabs should be taken from the staff and I mean all staff Medical Domestic & Porters in our hospitals as everyone needs to be clean and germ free having said that in the heat they are all working must breed germs
I have been at our local hosp in Aberden visiting for the past 6 weeks all I can say is Oh my Gosh !!
But I wish every one entering Hosp not to be afraid as it is not all doom and gloom most staff are meticulous and clean as are hospitals and it helps if everone takes all precautions
percy toboggan
05-Jul-08, 23:17
I think in this day and age when the service is the recipient of loads more cash than ever before that it should work weekends. The vocational calling of medicine cannot somehow disappear on a Friday afternoon.
Medical Professionals who currently have every weekend off are earning very good rates of pay...they need to demonstrate more commitment.
Weekends are for treatment, and specialist care. Not for marking time 'til Monday morning.
I might hang on 'til I can get the ops on the ips done in FRance at the expense of HM Government.Not much infection there, apparently. Dunno if they work weekends.
Consultant means just that I think, PT. The registrar and housemen(housepeople) do the day to day care under their overview.
As far as I can see much of the increase going in to the NHS is to combat the problems which have arisen because of the privatisation of cleaning and other facilities and to pay the extra managers necessary to co-ordinate the privatisation of facilities.
Sorry to hear about your son, cuddlepop, and I hope he improves sooner rather than later.
cuddlepop
06-Jul-08, 13:11
Made such a fuss yesterday that the Registra spoke to me on the phone this morning.
My son has a "complectated" infection.Everytime they go in they find more puss and not alwas in the same area.Have taken more swaps and await results.So far they've managed to isolate the infection to the lower arm and hand.
We are talking weeks in hospital and eventual muscle weakness in his right arm when he eventually recovers.
The wound is so extensive now we are talking plastic surgery/skin grafts.
I know he's young but they've just asked him to rewrite his life plans.
Will be able to speak to him when my brother goes up and sorts his patient line account.
Thats a nightmare and a rip off worthy of another thread.[evil]
teenybash
06-Jul-08, 13:20
What a nightmare.....words escape me.......somewhere, somehow, something has to be done...........my heart goes out to you.
At least the infection is contained and not travelling round his system.
Lets all pray that your son proves them wrong and he makes a full and complete recovery. :~(
Will be able to speak to him when my brother goes up and sorts his patient line account.
Thats a nightmare and a rip off worthy of another thread.[evil]
Patient line is a total rip off, and as you say cuddlepop, worthy of a whole different thread.
I'm so awfully sorry to hear about the complications, but I proved the medics wrong with my recovery and hopefully your son will too.
cuddlepop
06-Jul-08, 18:11
Patient line is a total rip off, and as you say cuddlepop, worthy of a whole different thread.
I'm so awfully sorry to hear about the complications, but I proved the medics wrong with my recovery and hopefully your son will too.
I hope and pray he finds your strenght and recovers just like you did.
I also know youth is on his side but when you are young you dont really appreciate what the medics are saying.My son eventually had to be told straight that he would not be returning to work this year.
Got a bit of an appetite today so eat his hospital food,good sign as before he'd rather starve.
He's even going to let his uncle shave him tonight.:eek:
Hope your son continues to fight the infection and gets well soon.
Patientline is an absolute nightmare! Don`t get me started on that one!
cuddlepop
07-Jul-08, 10:21
Consultant was on his ward rounds and his PA is off so spoke to another lady who took my phone number and the consultant will phone or make other arrangements to see me tomorrow.
My son knows that if they find extensive muscle infection they will remove the muscle in his lower arm.He know also knows he wont be working again this year and unfortunatly he may never be able to return to joinery.
At 21 thats a hell of alot to take in.
I think we'll need some "talking " therapy too.:~(
Cuddlepop, above all and in the face of all the medical knowledge, people often suprise the professionals and heal incredibly. And if one door closes, a window opens somewhere.
To you and your family hope and healing. Take care.
highlander
07-Jul-08, 11:32
Im so sorry to hear that he may never be able to go back to his job, is there anything that we can send, like magazines, paperbacks or sweets, i know when i was in hosptal in inverness for a month i was climbing the walls, we used to pass our papers around, but you must be finding it so expensive to keep taking things to him, please pm me and let me know what he likes.
cuddlepop
07-Jul-08, 17:33
Im so sorry to hear that he may never be able to go back to his job, is there anything that we can send, like magazines, paperbacks or sweets, i know when i was in hosptal in inverness for a month i was climbing the walls, we used to pass our papers around, but you must be finding it so expensive to keep taking things to him, please pm me and let me know what he likes.
Thank you Highlander thats a lovely thought.
my son's not really into reading but will read autobiographys,heading for charity shops tomorrow.He loves playing his PS3 but with only one hand its rather difficult.He has an old mp3 player which i'll take in tomorrow.
Patietline is a rip off but at least it gives him satalite tele/phone access and games.This time I know to buy the £10 package for the week.
Have an appointment to see the consultant tomorrow at 10.30 ,so will write out my list of questions for tomorrow.
If/when he has to have skin grafts will request Glasgow instead of Aberdeen,that way family can stay at my daughters flat.
The £ signs are multiplying as we speak but what else can you do,:~(unconditional love knows no monetary price.
Cuddlepop this story just seems to get worse as a saga of incompetence and, as you say, it will affect your son for life. I think I'd feel like keeping a diary and when your son is safely home again send it to Nicola Sturgeon.
NHS in Scotland is supposed to be better than England, or at least has wasted less money, but sometimes it feels as if we are in the 19th century.
cuddlepop
09-Jul-08, 17:43
Consultant was helpfull in respect of giving us a rough guide to my sons continued care in the hospital but would have to look into our concerns as to why it took so long for the bug to be identified and then where he was on the surgery list as far as other prioritys went.
The food is awful as a caterer I'd have been ashamed to serve that to an animal never mind a sick person.[disgust]
My sons not long back from surgery and still feels awful so doesnt want to speak to his old mum.All he would tell me is that he's back down again tomorrow :~(.Will just have to wait until my brother sees him and phones me.
teenybash
09-Jul-08, 19:14
Hopefully all will get better from now on................remember keep talking and then talk some more. Your son wil be so very comforted knowing you are there, even if he doesn't want to talk at the moment.....he is fighting a hard battle and you with him...remember to be kind to yourself.
Margaret M.
10-Jul-08, 01:56
Cuddlepop, what a year you've had -- it seems like it has been one challenge after another. Your son is very lucky to have such a strong woman for a mother. I hope life starts to smile on you all and the road ahead becomes easier to travel.
cuddlepop
10-Jul-08, 10:07
Cuddlepop, what a year you've had -- it seems like it has been one challenge after another. Your son is very lucky to have such a strong woman for a mother. I hope life starts to smile on you all and the road ahead becomes easier to travel.
We were brought up to believe that God would only give you as much as you could take and it would all be for a reason.
This year I think he's forgotton where the off switch is.:~(
I must admit that this year has seriously tested me and at times I've felt swamped.
This forum does help and I want to thank you all for your kind words and wishes.:D
My son has a battle on his hands that only he can win .All I can hope for is that he has my familys determination to let nothing and no one beat you.
He's back in surgery to continue the stretching process of the skin,which unfortunatly is more painfull that the clean outs.
Anasthetic is really wearing him out.
CP, it's always so hard for us mums to think of our children (no matter how old or grown up they are) suffering in any way and not being able to take the pain away. :( As other posters have said, your son is very fortunate to have you as his Mum and I'm sure that your strength will help him get through this...and I hope that he too will find strength he didn't know he had until now.
It's time that whoever's in charge of things realised you've passed all your tests with flying colours and gave your family a break!:roll:
Very best wishes, as always,
Angela
cuddlepop
10-Jul-08, 10:22
CP, it's always so hard for us mums to think of our children (no matter how old or grown up they are) suffering in any way and not being able to take the pain away. :( As other posters have said, your son is very fortunate to have you as his Mum and I'm sure that your strength will help him get through this...and I hope that he too will find strength he didn't know he had until now.
It's time that whoever's in charge of things realised you've passed all your tests with flying colours and gave your family a break!
Very best wishes, as always,
Angela
Thank you.
Now to you think we could organise a wrecky to discontinue the edurance test.?;)
sassylass
10-Jul-08, 20:15
It's not easy being a parent and watching from the sidelines as your child takes his lumps. The good news is...he will get through this and probably learn from it. Hang in there CP.
teenybash
10-Jul-08, 20:37
We were brought up to believe that God would only give you as much as you could take and it would all be for a reason.
This year I think he's forgotton where the off switch is.:~(
I must admit that this year has seriously tested me and at times I've felt swamped.
This forum does help and I want to thank you all for your kind words and wishes.:D
My son has a battle on his hands that only he can win .All I can hope for is that he has my familys determination to let nothing and no one beat you.
He's back in surgery to continue the stretching process of the skin,which unfortunatly is more painfull that the clean outs.
Anasthetic is really wearing him out.
The ray of hope that shines is that they are going on with the skin stretching........sounds awful but, sounds good too.....they must be confidant the infection will be beat.........lots of love winging its way to you.:)
cuddlepop
10-Jul-08, 20:39
I suppose what we have to accept is that we will never discover where the infection came from.One part of it is a common bacteria that we all carry on the surface of our skin ,the other is best described as "old faeces".
Somehow the two got together and started the "cooking" process.
Incubation is usually 4 to 5 days which would tie in with the initial accident and surgery and the reaction after the fall.Which incidently the hospital is blaming for the stiches bursting.
We tend to think the infection caused the stiches to burst.
Where the infection came from well thats the million dollor question.?:confused
I have been ready this post everyday since first posted over a week ago. My god, I cannot believe it. I feel so so sorry for your son CP, bloody heartbreakin, then you have to go in being all positive to him but cracking up inside. What a mess. I do hope that he gets some light soon, and you too can relax eventually. Best wishes to you all. x
cuddlepop
10-Jul-08, 22:11
I have been ready this post everyday since first posted over a week ago. My god, I cannot believe it. I feel so so sorry for your son CP, bloody heartbreakin, then you have to go in being all positive to him but cracking up inside. What a mess. I do hope that he gets some light soon, and you too can relax eventually. Best wishes to you all. x
He's had a better day today.Wasnt in surgery for long,mainly to put a splint along is arm to keep his fingers upright and renew the cast.
appetite back and all his mates are taking in "doggy bags".:D
That's good news CP; things are looking up if his appetite is back. Let's hope it is start of a good recovery.
teenybash
10-Jul-08, 22:33
great news if the 'doggy bags' are going in..............sounds as if your son is beginning to mend.
It'll be all those possi vibes from the Org......Soon you will have time to show yourself some compassion and rest and it's important you allow yourself to be kind to yourself. :D
I suppose what we have to accept is that we will never discover where the infection came from.One part of it is a common bacteria that we all carry on the surface of our skin ,the other is best described as "old faeces".
Somehow the two got together and started the "cooking" process.
Incubation is usually 4 to 5 days which would tie in with the initial accident and surgery and the reaction after the fall.Which incidently the hospital is blaming for the stiches bursting.
We tend to think the infection caused the stiches to burst.
Where the infection came from well thats the million dollor question.?:confused
So it seems the original infection may not have been "hospital acquired" after all. How did the accident happen? Could the glass have been contaminated? It takes such a minute amount of bacteria nicely bedded in to create the most awful infections. Unfortunately bacteria are invisible and even the most experienced "medic" cannot second-guess what may be present. I expect your son would have had antibiotic cover with his first surgery, as that is pretty routine.
Time and youth make great healers though, and I hope he will make good progress and surprise you all. Good luck
caithnessian
11-Jul-08, 11:14
Yes it may not have been hospital acquired, staph aureus is a bacterium which lives on the skin, in even a simple cut this is what can cause an infection if these staph aureus gets into the wound.
It is very unlikely to be MRSA (often known now as multiple resistant staph aureus now due to the number of antibiotics it is resistant to) since as has been mentioned they would have used barrier nursing but also because vancomycin is often the drug of choice and flucloxacillin would have no effect on this.
Anyway I just want to wish all the best to your son for a fast and good recovery.
CP,
dont let the hospital fob you off with jargon and by looking like they are doing all they can.....
i had a very bad experiance in Glasgow AFTER the birth of my daughter, in the end i discharged myself and went home.... get to the bottom of it and before you leave the hospital request a copy of the hospital notes, if they wont give you a copy go to your sons GP as they are obliged to get it for you to have a look at...
there has to be something said when a small problem like this gets out of hand.
i been reading your posts and keeping up with this thread and i am truly shocked, but am praying along with everyone else on the org that the outcome is good for your son
cuddlepop
11-Jul-08, 14:19
So it seems the original infection may not have been "hospital acquired" after all. How did the accident happen? Could the glass have been contaminated? It takes such a minute amount of bacteria nicely bedded in to create the most awful infections. Unfortunately bacteria are invisible and even the most experienced "medic" cannot second-guess what may be present. I expect your son would have had antibiotic cover with his first surgery, as that is pretty routine.
Time and youth make great healers though, and I hope he will make good progress and surprise you all. Good luck
What we found suprising is that no antibiotic cover was given after the first operation.They assumed as it was a glass cut it would be clean.
One of the bugs can be found after surgery though.
Like I've said we'll never know but it looks like it was "hospital required" either through the op or in the neglect of action taken.[disgust]
teenybash
11-Jul-08, 15:54
What we found suprising is that no antibiotic cover was given after the first operation.They assumed as it was a glass cut it would be clean.
One of the bugs can be found after surgery though.
Like I've said we'll never know but it looks like it was "hospital required" either through the op or in the neglect of action taken.[disgust]
It is usual for antibiotics to be given after a surgical proceedure, the fact this didn't happen and someone assumed the wound to be clean, is down to neglect on the part of the hospital....no matter what way you look at it. They have done wrong by your son in leaving him at risk in this way.
No questions should be left unanswered....keep on asking them and gather up your proofs.....it may help to prevent something similar happening to another.
Hang in there. The strength you have found from within, after all that you have been and going through... will stay with you for a lifetime.
My nephew had his appendix removed at Raigmore earlier this year. He was given no antibiotics in hospital, despite asking about them as he remembered his uncle coming back from his surgery in Edinburgh with Co-amoxiclave.
Nephew`s wound became infected and burst, despite the best nursing care from his partner who is a theatre nurse. Seems Raigmore policy is to wait and see if an infection occurs,, then do the antibiotic treatment.
Glad your son is doing ok Cuddlepop, and you take care of yourself.
Make sure you have kept a diary and any paperwork you can get for the future in case you are able to make a claim.
cuddlepop
13-Jul-08, 15:44
Just a quick up date on my sons progress.
Unfortunatly my Oh and myself came down with some sort of tummy/cold virus so havent been to see himself over the weekend.Its best if we stay away just now no matter how much i miss him.:~(
Today my son goes under for the 9th time to continue the stretching process of the skin.yesterday the doctor on duty took the cast off and made my boy take a good look at his arm.Its a mess with a 2inch wide gap upto his elbow either side of his arm.reality has struck home and he now knows how lucky he was not to have lost it and how long he's going to have to stay in hospital
Hopefully because he is young the skin will heal over and he wont require a skin graft.:)
Hope you and your OH are on the mend. You did the right thing staying away and getting yourself well, but it must be so hard when your son is so far away.
It is amazing what perseverance will do towards healing wounds. My OH had major surgery twice at the same site at the top of his left leg. Within three days of leaving hospital he started to drip pale blood from the base of the wound and the trickle just would not stop. He was rushed back to theatre and had a massive blood clot removed, but it left him with an open wound 8" long and 2" wide. He was told it would probably never close and in time wound probably need to go to London for skin grafting. With the help of our GP and the Consultant I was able to have whatever supplies were needed to dress the wound in a sterile environment, gloves, normasol solution etc., no problem.....it took SIX months, and many tears but the wound has healed with only one tiny puckering of the skin which looks like an old whitehead.
Never say never.
Hope things continue to improve for you all.
teenybash
13-Jul-08, 17:08
Youth on your sons side and hopefully all contues to improve without the need for grafts.........Hope your bug is leaving but take it easy and keep smiling, even if you don't feel like it. :Razz
cuddlepop
13-Jul-08, 17:16
Youth on your sons side and hopefully all contues to improve without the need for grafts.........Hope your bug is leaving but take it easy and keep smiling, even if you don't feel like it. :Razz
Think we're both just worn out with all the travelling and hightened state of stress.
Its been doing its rounds in portree and unfortunatly it was our turn at the weekend.
Wanted to go over tonight and stay at little brothers but I know it'll be mid week before the buggies are non transferable.:~(
docs are hopefull he'll heal himself as the grafts are never quiet the same.
cuddlepop
16-Jul-08, 20:11
I just want to say a big thank you to you all for all your support and kind wishes.:D
My son gets out of hospital on Friday with all the guts and determination he needs to get back to work asap.
Mobility is poor in his hand and muscle tone weak.At least they saved his arm,for a time there we were all so worried.
In the end no skin grafts were required so as long as the wound is kept infection free and he eats all my old fashioned home cooking he'll be as right as rain in no time.
thanks again you guys and girls your a great bunch.:D
What good news, Cuddlepop! I'm delighted to hear that your son's on the mend now, that must be such a relief all round.:)
Try to take some time for yourself now, all the stress of this dreadful experience will have really taken it out of you.....so don't forget some TLC for yourself! ;)
cuddlepop
16-Jul-08, 20:20
What good news, Cuddlepop! I'm delighted to hear that your son's on the mend now, that must be such a relief all round.:)
Try to take some time for yourself now, all the stress of this dreadful experience will have really taken it out of you.....so don't forget some TLC for yourself! ;)
Wouldnt that be nice but as usual you know me,when one crisis comes to an end another one starts.
Brother number 2 has had his Incapacity benifit renewal denied and the CAB office are inundated with requests from hundreds just like him.
Maybe I should go back to my old signature......"without stress my life would be empty";)
So glad to hear that your son is on the mend Cuddlepop!Here's hoping life will be a wee bit easier for you from here on in x
teenybash
16-Jul-08, 21:40
Really pleased your son has got the 'going home' news. I am sure he will mend all the faster out of hospital and all his muscle strength will come back once the job of healing is complete.
Stay strong and always start the day with a smile......:Razz
Kevin Milkins
16-Jul-08, 22:25
My 84 year old dad was sent to hospital this week to check out a chest infection that was not improving.
He has gone downhill since being admitted.
My sister phoned this morning to say he has now contracted C Diff.
It makes you wonder if its safe to be ill nowadays.:(
teenybash
16-Jul-08, 22:33
sorry to hear about your dad...................lets all hope he can come on top and the infections cleared.
Can't believe what is happening in our hospitals.
Lots of possi energies will head south to your dad...........:~(
Kevin Milkins
17-Jul-08, 11:15
Dad passed away this morning.
Kevin, I am so sorry to hear that. What very sad news. :(
teenybash
17-Jul-08, 14:22
Dad passed away this morning.
So, so sorry.......................no words can convey, no words can say the sadness you must be feeling......Bless you and all your family..:~(
So sorry to hear your news, Kevin. :(
hell raizer
17-Jul-08, 14:47
so sorry to hear about your dad kevin :(
Margaret M.
17-Jul-08, 15:14
Aw, Kevin, that is so very sad. I wish strength and comfort for you and your family.
so sorry kevin... thoughts are with you and your family :(
helenwyler
17-Jul-08, 15:15
Such sad news Kevin :(. I wish you strength over the next few weeks.
So sorry to hear about your father Kevin. My sympathy goes out to you and your family.
percy toboggan
17-Jul-08, 16:25
Might I offer sympathy to you and yours Kevin at this difficult time for you all. Many of us recognise what you will be feeling.
cuddlepop
17-Jul-08, 18:07
Dad passed away this morning.
Kevin thats such dreadful sad news I.m so sorry for your loss.
its probably not the time to think about it but I do hope you get tothe bottom of the cause od death for your father.
An elderly gentleman is in my sons ward.This old boy had a plate put into his back to help with spinal problems.Six months later they discover he has a very large cyste around this area and thats whats caused the continues pain.
He'll be in for 6 weeks.
What is wrong with the hygiene on/in the operating theatre.[disgust]
May I offer my sympathy to you and your family.
Kevin Milkins
17-Jul-08, 18:52
Thank you fellow orgers for your kind messages and thoughts.
What makes me feel helpless just now is being 675 miles away from my dad and family ,but the kindness shown here makes me feel at home.
Dad had been a subsrciber to Woodbines for most of his life and spent his working life down a coal mine so it was no supprise to any of us that he gets chest infections or breathing problems from time to time.
What has come as a great shock is when he goes in to hospital for treatment to help his breathing and 4 days later he has died from Clostridium Diffi Cile.
It isnt untill it happens close to home you realise just how big this problem is.
Once again thank you all
Regards Kevin Milkins
sassylass
20-Jul-08, 00:39
So sorry about the loss of your father. Hopefully good memories will soon outweigh your sadness.
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.