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Stroke and discharge from hospital
My father had a mild stroke on April 3rd and sent home from hospital a couple days later only to be taken back 3 hours later to the hospital. Finally they ran test with dye and found a blockage in neck. He has been out for about a week and just had another stroke and hospital is talking of releasing him again. CT scans showing nothing supposedly. What do we as family do to save our dad? Who do we call to get help? He is not in his home state but has a family member living in that state. But those of us back home are saying something is not right and Dad deserves better care and answers. What do we do? Who do we contact?
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Hi @scmac and welcome to Connect. I'm so sorry to hear about your father's experience with being discharged improperly. Most hospitals have a patient relations office or similar. I suggest you contact someone in the hospital's administration to voice your concerns. Is the family member with your father able to advocate on his behalf before he is discharged again?
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1 ReactionHello @scmac
I am so sorry to hear of your dad's recurring strokes. That must be very difficult for him and the rest of the family. I would certainly agree with Colleen's suggestion of contacting the hospital's administrative offices.
However, given your dad's recurring strokes, has your family considered taking your dad to a different hospital system for another opinion? If he is near a large medical/research facility like Mayo or a university medical school that might be a good way for your family to get a second opinion and be sure that he is getting the best treatment available.
I look forward to hearing from you again.
Teresa
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1 ReactionYes he has a daughter and his wife there. She has been trying to advocate the best she can. He is at Florida Memorial in Sebring. Last update they think his heart is producing blood clots so they have put him on blood pressure med. He does have Afib. But he is now droopy faced and barely uses his left side. Will try to keep updating as days go on. I will have my sister contact administration or I will. Thank you so much.
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1 Reaction@scmac
I appreciate your update. I'm not sure where Sebring FL is located, however, Mayo has a facility in Jacksonville where you might be able to get a second opinion.
I wish you all well and I look forward to hearing from you again.
Teresa
@scmac some people find it hard to step in, question and advocate. But patients and family are a valid and vital part of the care team. A few tips to help are:
1. Ask questions. No question is a dumb questions.
2. Repeat back what you heard. This helps you retain the information, but also shows the provider how his or her information has been interpreted. Any misunderstandings can be cleared up.
3. Ask more questions about any loose ends.
There is a great conversation happening in the Cancer group about medications that I think you should read. It's great information about keeping track of medications and knowing what you're taking them for. With your father's recent change in health and new medications, the information being shared is really important to keep in mind. See the discussion here:
- Overmedication with cancer and other conditions https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/overmedication/
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