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Original poster

Help Dad in hospital with sepsis - practical advice needed

34 replies

Mrscog · 06/01/2019 09:38

Just found out my Dad is in hospital with sepsis, still in a&E but antibiotics started.

I’m going to the hospital with my mum soon, what should we take with us? What should we look out for (mum said it was skeleton staff and hard to get any attention - he’s still not been seen by a Dr) how long will he be in for? Sorry for the rubbish grammar etc but I’m shaking and rushing!

OP posts:
wowfudge · 06/01/2019 09:40

He may be admitted so take overnight things for him - toiletries, toothbrush, pyjamas, etc plus reading material, etc.

AnnieOH1 · 06/01/2019 09:43

Drinks, cash/contactless card (if your hospital is anything like the one I'm in now all vending machines are contactless only), fleece blanket, maybe some sweets or similar - it is as much for him as visitors Flowers

Seventytwoseventythree · 06/01/2019 09:46

Hello sorry to hear about your dad this must be really scary for you. He must have been seen by a doctor though as antibiotics need to be prescribed. He has probably been seen by the A&E doctor and will be waiting to be seen by the medical team as he will need to be admittted.

Take him an overnight bag with toothbrush, pyjamas etc and anything he would like to have especially from home. Take any drinks that he likes that are not caffeinated as he will need to stay hydrated.

Once you’re there I would check that he has a line in his arm and that he has had IV fluids as well as antibiotics as this is important in sepsis. You can help by getting him to drink but write down everything he drinks. He may have a catheter to record his urine output, again this is important to know, if not then helping the nurses by keeping track of how often he pees is helpful. He may be confused which can happen with the infection, if he is not normally confused at all then it will be helpful for you to tell the doctor how he normally is so they know what they are aiming for.

It depends where the infection is coming from how long he will stay, so I would ask them that too. At least a couple of days, more if he is not usually fit and well as it will take longer to recover. Best of luck.

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Original poster
Mrscog · 06/01/2019 09:46

Thank you - hadn’t thought of drinks

OP posts:
Original poster
Mrscog · 06/01/2019 09:47

He is only 58 so in ‘full health’ normally - it was confusion which prompted mum mum to seek help in the night, thank god she did.

OP posts:
AllTheCakes · 06/01/2019 09:48

I’m currently in hospital and the main thing I have needed is entertainment. A laptop or tablet with some Tv downloaded or a kindle as well as chargers.

Having my own towel has been nice too, as the hospital ones are like postage stamps.

backinthebox · 06/01/2019 09:51

My dad is currently in hospital with sepsis (and blood clots but it is the sepsis that has had him admitted.) He was in a state at home, fevers and chills, and several other very unpleasant symptoms caused by the clots but had to be dragged to a&e on Boxing Day (imagine how much fun he was over Christmas!) complaining that he was fine. His conviction he was fine is what got him to the state he was in when we took him to hospital.

He’s in hospital now on a 2 week course of intravenous antibiotics. He started sounding much better within a day or so of starting them but he is still very ill. Despite his protests he isn’t. 🙄 He has to stay in as they need to give him a long course of antibiotics so the infection is definitely dead.

Croft1971 · 06/01/2019 09:52

Ear plugs and eye mask!?

HumpHumpWhale · 06/01/2019 09:52

I think others have covered what to bring but just wanted to say my dad had sepsis last year and it was really scary but he recovered quite quickly. A couple of days of feeling really really awful and out of it in hospital, and then a couple more of being weak, and then he was just tired for a while. Try not to panic, he's in the best place.

Almostthere15 · 06/01/2019 09:58

Make sure you take phone chargers, some toiletries for your dad, night wear and spare socks. I'd keep this in the car until you're on a ward.

Take drinks and snacks for yourself and maybe something to read/do while your dad sleeps. Hope he's better soon

clippityclop · 06/01/2019 10:01

My husband was treated for sepsis four years ago. It was very scary at the time but he made a full recovery. As well as toiletries, things to do, drinks etc as already mentioned appreciated some thick socks, because his feet would get very cold. Ski socks, that sort of thing. Good luck to you both, he's in the right place. After his treatment he will need lots of rest and chance to recover slowly.

Original poster
Mrscog · 06/01/2019 10:05

After his treatment he will need lots of rest and chance to recover slowly.

He’s a farmer - that is not going to go down well.

OP posts:
stationaryace · 06/01/2019 10:05

Something for him to do - book to read, puzzle books etc. Even if he is not normally a puzzle person, the boredom of being stuck in hospital can get to you easily and you find yourself looking for any distractions. If he's started on iv antibiotics then he'll likely be admitted until the course is finished - mine was 5 days.

Original poster
Mrscog · 06/01/2019 10:54

Just got here he’s cold but temp too high to have a blanket , no fluids or abx up at the moment - apparently they were wrong

OP posts:
Original poster
Mrscog · 06/01/2019 10:55

I’ve asked nurse practitioner for update

OP posts:
Yearofthemum · 06/01/2019 10:58

Ear plugs are eye masks are a great suggestion.

IconicWaffle · 06/01/2019 11:00

When my Dad had it he was unconscious in intensive care fighting for his life but he went on to make a full recovery, keep strong Smile

POllOcKs · 06/01/2019 11:03

If he hasn't got fluids up then encourage him to drink plenty .

Original poster
Mrscog · 06/01/2019 11:04

What should I expect in terms of antibiotics? He hasn’t got any up at the moment but he has got a cannula in

OP posts:
madamefraser · 06/01/2019 11:09

They will have a sepsis protocol to follow with the antibiotics so just find out what they are going to be using next and how often. Antibiotics are not up all the time intravenously , they are given throughout the day so he may not be due any .
Don't be afraid to ask the staff looking after him questions . They are busy but they should fill you in .

NanooCov · 06/01/2019 11:11

My dad had sepsis five years ago. Don't let them discharge him too early. In my dad's case they did and he was readmitted within 24 hours.

Surprised he hasn't had antibiotics yet. Have they taken samples for testing?

Original poster
Mrscog · 06/01/2019 11:13

Ok great - he has had at least one set of antibiotics I think they must be due soon

OP posts:
MrWolfknowsthetime · 06/01/2019 11:13

The OP says antibiotics have already been given Nanoo

NanooCov · 06/01/2019 11:14

@MrWolfknowsthetime but then said none were up.

BeakyPlinder · 06/01/2019 11:15

He won't be having a continuous antibiotics infusion, depending on what he has been prescribed it's usually a small bolus (from a syringe into the cannula) or a small bag possibly 2, 3 or 4 times a day, which will last maybe 30 mins before it's disconnected. IV fluids are not essential it will depend on his blood results and his ability to take fluids orally.