Overlong wait for discharge

I’m sorry you’re going through this. We had a similar problem when my father was hospitalized and unfortunately it’s not like on tv where you can pull out all the IVs and just walk out. Or maybe it is and my family just wasn’t bold enough.

It’s a weekend when in my experience people are suddenly not available (and to your point Patient Experience is closed). There is usually a hospital social worker who assists with discharge planning. Have they contacted you yet, or do you think you could ask the nursing team to connect you? Or can you talk to the nursing team and request to speak with the doctor/hospitalist on call? Those are the things I tried, and I kept being told the social worker would be there and she never came. I asked for a specific time and she still didn’t come. I just kept asking every hour, and I’m not exactly proud of this but eventually when she did come and was lying to my face about what she claimed she’d done to facilitate discharge (which I knew was false bedside the acute rehab hospital he was supposed to be discharged had called me directly because they couldn’t reach her and told me they were ready but the hospital hadn’t confirmed the discharge yet) I ended up having an argument with her in the unit in front of everyone. And then we got the discharge orders.

@beingignored, this sounds dreadful. Was your father told that he would be discharged today? Are you there with your father right now or is he alone?

I am here with him. Finally 3.5 hours after telling him he would be discharged to home finally things are starting to move.

@beingignored

I am so sorry. If still waiting ask to talk to charge nurse, she can not discharge him, might be able to contact a different doctor on team or explain why doctor not responding. In surgery ? Whatever reason, they should be keeping you up to date.

Hopefully you will not have to wait at pharmacy either. Ask nurse if any take home drugs required and if prescription has been sent to pharmacy.

Unfortunately hassle not done yet. Main entrance is closed and dismissing patients from Generous building. They are moving in large oversize semi-loads of iron structure this weekend.

An escort will take him to pharmacy and then to Generous in wheel chair, it is long walk, while you get car to pick up. But wait till done with pharmacy. There is plenty of help at Generous door to assist you. I was volunteering in Generous this morning.

Express your concerns with patient experience on Monday and also with staff doctor, not the resident that is probably working today. But make sure you get his name.

So sorry this is happening.

@beingignored Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I’m glad you found this site and felt comfortable enough to express your opinions. That’s what Connect if for. Waiting is always awful isn’t it?? I know that by the time you read this, the discharge may have already happened. There are so many things that have to happen before a discharge takes place and so many departments are involved. Everything is out of the patients/family’s control so this can cause problems like yours.
I agree with @colleenyoung, that you should call the Office of Patient Affairs on Monday to express your complaint. Can you tell us anything positive about your father’s care, that you could also share with them?

Already sent an email to the Office of Patient Experience. The bright spot was a wonderful young man who was the Patient Care Technician who was kind and helpful while dad was there.

@beingignored, I'm glad that you submitted the issue to the Office of Patient Experience. They will want to follow up with what happened. Thank you for acknowledge the bright spot. Thank goodness for these unsung heros when things don't run as they should. Please mention him in your report. These members of the team who go above and beyond get recognized in addition to correcting breakdowns in procedures.

I hope you and your father are home now and he is settled comfortably.

which location?

Jacksonville Florida

@beingignored

I guess my comment about construction at St Marys did not make sense. My mistake, I just assumed Rochester.

Hope your dad is doing better.