does your mom have a POA...and if so,best have someone letting the hospital know that
they may not be obligated to tell family anything,but they are just being peckerheads when they don't.

I am sorry to hear you have had to go though this with your Mother. Maybe now things will start getting better. Keeping you both in my prayers.

Sue

They are not being "Peckerheads" they are following the rules set out to medical personnel everywhere by HIPPA. Her doctor's office shouldn't be telling you anything either. Medical personnel are not allowed to tell- it could cause them their job and their license. I know it's hard to understand when it's your loved one, but the doctors and hospitals have 100's of people to care for and if everyone who called in claiming to be family members got information, it opens up the hospital for a law suit. Sorry, these are suing times and they have to protect themselves, too.

Yes, you can probably get information directly from the doctors (not sure about the hospital staff) if you sign the proper forms at the doctor's office. We had to do this with my mom as she and my dad were not the best at translating what doctors were telling them. We tried to have someone attend every appointment but we were able to set up this permission just in case.

When I has surgery in April, they wanted me to sign a paper stating who they could NOT talk to about my condition. I modified it to list just who they COULD talk to since I didn't like the open-endedness of that.

It is unreasonable for the staff and doctors not to be able to discuss the patient's condition with anyone else when a patient is very ill. Doesn't even make sense but of course they need to cover their behinds.

Not sure if things are different in Canada or other states besides PA.

When I talk to the nurses, I give my Privacy code, so they know I'm a member of the family. Only 3 of us have that code.

Since he read the results and they are in the system, according to the nurse, I don't understand why she can't read what it says.

She's not deciphering the scan, the doctor did, and all she has to do is read what he's written, explaining it to me in layman's terms.

As far as him talking to my Mom, then she has to explain it to ME, then I tell my step-father and brother, I fail to see that this is a correct, and accurate assessment/description of what she has. My feeling is that by having the nurse tell me, since the doctor already has it on the system is a far better way of finding out what's wrong.

May I suggest you contact 'The' hospital administrator. Ask them what is needed to give the hospital staff permission to talk to you as immediate family/advocate for your Mom. I'm normally a bull in a china shop when it came to my parents being ill over the years.

Go to the top of the hospital, stop working your way up. Ask the switchboard for the name and extension of the hospital administrator, make sure to tell them you don't want a clerks office but the administrator directly.

I feel for you deeply and get where you are coming from. You can also contact the hospital social worker - they may also be able to help you with the necessary forms.

Hugs to you,
Peggy

I'm sorry you got MORE run around. Your poor Mom. It is so much for her...and you.....to be going through. I like Peggy's advice, go the the person at the top and demand answers, and solutions so you will be kept updated. Sending hugs, good thoughts and prayers.

I'm so sorry for you and you mom and family, jasdip. I know how frustrating it is especially compounded with the worry.

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this on top of the worry about your Mom! I understand the HIPPA, but I also know some will use that as an excuse to get around not talking and explaining things to you! Go to the hospital Admin.!!!!

I hope you will be able to get the answers you need. Good thoughts for you as you deal with this.

Tammy

Social work is actually a good piece of advice.... Although they can't give you information protected by Hippa, they can direct you in the legal documents that you and your mother can sign to make it ok for you to get information.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but calling the Hospital Admin- no matter how demanding, angry, persistent, etc that you are- will get you the same result. As a nurse, I can tell you, HIPPA is something that is pounded into our heads on a daily basis. Trust me, sometimes it would be easier to give family the information so they aren't continually calling to harrass us for what we aren't allowed to give. This goes for Hospital Administration, as well. Social work is your best bet. Nurses can't give information that the doctor read and charted because if by some chance we give the information back incorrectly, we open ourselves up for lawsuit and the hospital for a lawsuit. This is also a rule- at least everywhere I have ever worked. Sorry but their are rules that need to be followed. Our society has made it hard because of the fear of lawsuits.

Thanks Mom24.
I was hoping a nurse would chime in.

I just spoke to her nurse, her Dr. hasn't been in yet to see her and tell her the results. So I don't know what they found.
The nurse said she's the same as she was yesterday, which I found to be not good. The PICC hasn't done anything for her yet, which I was hoping that she would feel somewhat better and start having colour in her face.

One time when Glen was in hospital I called a number I found for the patient advocate. They in turn talked to his doctor and I got a call from the doctor! Saying he was sorry, thought I understood etc. This was when he fell off of some scaffolding. BUT I was listed as someone they could speak to abt his medical conditions.

Maybe you can find a number for them. And get that form signed so they will speak to you.

I also suggest if at all possible to have a family member or close friend there at all times. They may not like it but I do know from firsthand exp. that things get done when there is someone watching.

Sending prayers for your DMom.

Charlee

I am so sorry you and your mom are having to go through all this.... Sending prayers for you both.

Carolyn

Sending prayers your Mom gets stronger and better each day.

I sure do feel your frustration! It's very difficult these days trying to get info from anyone, let alone a doctor. It seems to me we used to be able to count on the doctor coming for a daily visit and update at a specific time, but not anymore; the nurses have to deal with all family issues now, which is not what they need on top of all the other work they have to do.

I spent a week with my sister who was in the hospital for a badly broken leg and experienced to a lesser degree what you're going through. All information was given to my drugged-up dsis, who couldn't remember all of what she had been told. It was not possible for me to stay all day in hopes of seeing the doc and I only lucked into being there when the pt was giving her instructions for home. What sense does this make??! I imagine there must be lots of drug mix-ups at home due to this problem.

Yes, please get that paper signed asap. Then you're just going to have to make a stink. At some point, you won't care what anyone thinks of you!