Dear Editor,
This is an experience that should have never happened. My son was admitted to St. Francis Medical Center in January. This is a Christian Facility whose motto is “Where passion for people and healthcare come together.” I was informed that he had been admitted and was diagnosed with acute systolic heart failure and acute liver failure. I was told that this was a serious condition and that his condition was touch and go and he was not expected to recover. He was receiving oxygen therapy because his breathing was compromised. I was asked if his condition worsened, if he should be placed on life support. His condition was critical!
I was devastated! He was not only physically compromised, but showed a declining mental status. He stayed in bed, did not take care of his personal hygiene, showed agitation and refusal to accept medication prescribed. He eliminated on the floor and not always coherent.
After several days, his physical condition improved. However, his mental status showed no improvement. The hospital staff began looking for an in house facility as a result of my asking for a behavioral assessment. The assessment was done the next day. I was told he was given risperidone to calm him down. I researched the drug which is used as a drug for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and manic states. However, I was not told a diagnosis. After two days of medication, he was calm. I was told he was to be discharged in a couple of days. I asked where to and was told back where he came from. I explained that he came from the Salvation Army and there was no medical facility there to care for him as a patient. I was told that he “cannot stay here forever.” His behavior remained unstable. No diagnosis was told to me concerning his mental condition. He was moved to another room and left his belongings behind. This included cell phone, charger, personal hygiene items and clothing. His mental condition was unchanged and physical condition continued to show improvement. Into his third week of admission at 9 PM, he was discharged to the Salvation Army. The same day, family members were told that he would remain hospitalized for several more days.
His mental status showed no improvement and hospital staff showed no empathy. The Patient Advocate said, “He is not here forever.” He was put on the streets, with no medication and the weather was 30 degrees. He had a paper prescription that night, no actual medication and no way of filling prescriptions that night. The prescriptions were to be filled at Primary Health. However, they do not fill outside facility prescriptions. They only fill their prescriptions. There has been no follow-up from St. Francis Medical Center.
For a man with mental health issues who is unable to adequately follow a prescription protocol, this creates a problem for his self care and well-being. He continues to remain isolated, stay in bed all day, lack hygiene self care and agitated. Where is the accountability?
Autria Bright
