← Return to COVID-19: What does it mean for people in ICU and for families?

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@mutwo

hello Ma'am, thank you kindly for your response. I have been trying to communicate with the nurses, physicians, advocates, administrators, etc, but I have been unsuccessful. The majority demonstrate a lack of care, integrity, and compassion. I have witnessed my husband being abused making him and myself afraid for me to leave his side. my husband is on a ventilator but was writing well to communicate. he requested a transfer as well as myself. I was told because its a level one trauma and they can provide his care there, even though we r terrified for his life and seriously concerned with care they are providing, they will not request a transfer unless I provide them with a name of an accepting physician. I was then told that I would have to give them a credit card before they would accept him (his provider informed me that was incorrect) he is a navy veteran and ny transit authority retiree, he doesn't deserve the abuse and torture that he is being subjected to. I haven't slept in weeks and cannot rest until he is somewhere safe and ethical. my husband told me to call the police. I did but they said they couldn't help us either. he is being held against his will and paying them to do so

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Replies to "hello Ma'am, thank you kindly for your response. I have been trying to communicate with the..."

Friday I was asked to leave the hospital and he is now alone. I fear for the worse. he favore the mayo clinic and was scheduled to undergo stem cell therapy in the spring. if he was at the mayo clinic I would feel comfortable with him being alone. ive been calling for a week trying to contact an accepting physician at the mayo clinic to help him recover and relieved of this nightmare

Hello, @mutwo I am so sorry that you and your husband are in this very difficult situation. As a nurse who worked in many stressful situations, I would suggest that you have a small notebook so you can record everything that happens. This way you won’t have to rely on your memory when you’re upset. Record nurses names and dates they were assigned to your husband. If you witness anything, record it also. Record doctors names, ask for their business cards. Record names and times of medications, etc.
I know that being in a hospital, especially an ICU, is overwhelming and foreign. Sometimes, what looks strange and upsetting to a family, is not. It’s just different. Tasks are done faster because they have to be done faster. Right now, with this virus situation, nurses, especially, are under a lot of pressure.
Since your husband may have to stay at this hospital, do your best to get to know the staff and let them know you also. But, mostly, focus on your husband. He needs to know that you are there and that you care. If I can help with anything, let me know