NHS-Just had operation. Porter said this!!!!!

[IsAnybodyListening]

Recently had complex surgery following an accident, and I have been home a few days now. The more I think about this, the angrier I get. As not to drip feed this was basically the situation.

My consultant and surgeons were utterly fantastic with me. My last surgery was over 10yrs ago, unfortunately there were complications plus I developed an infection post surgery and became extremely ill. Due to this, they were aware how anxious I was to be going under anesthesia again and were incredibly understanding.

Whilst on the ward. I was nil by mouth. Surgery was postponed 3 times due to life and death situations which is completely understandable, however during this time I hadn't ate in 38hrs which I was OK with, however the first issue were Nurses kept refusing to give me fluid. They weren't listening to me that surgery was delayed and that I could have water up until a few hrs before going into theatre. By sheer luck the anesthetist happened to pop into my room for me to sign consent forms whilst I was begging for a drink and told the nurse to give me fluid.

By this point, I'm hungry, exhausted, unable to sleep as in pain and very thirsty and drained, also scared of pending surgery and when it might happen.

The porter came to wheel me to theatre. Just before going into the operating room she is making idle chit chat, and the surgeon comes out to see me and help wheel me in. The porter obviously doesn't know what I've been through, my history or anything about me, and for some bizarre reason declares in the most jovial tone ' Just remember when they knock you out, not to go to heaven when you're under'!!!!!!

The surgeon heard, and fair play to him he looked bloody furious with this comment.

Anyhow, I had surgery, it should have been 2hrs but was closer to 6hrs. Now I am home and recovering, I can't stop thinking about what she said RIGHT before I had a massive operation. Who says something so stupid?

Do I assume the surgeon would have raised it as he definitely heard, or should I go down the formal complaint route? It keeps playing over in my mind, that and my surgery didn't actually go as expected and involved more surgeons and hours than initially expected and since I woke up, I can't stop thinking about what she said. Death IS a risk with surgery. Why would a health care professional say something so utterly careless like that in such a serious situation?

If you managed to read all that, thanks. Not sure if this should be in AIBU or is it a more WWYD question?

In our local hospital a lot of the porters employed are people with learning disabilities. They do a fantastic job and are really proud of their work.

It was thoughtless and inappropriate but it sounds like the surgeon might do something. He would probably have the most impact.

That's great
But this porter wasn't doing a fantastic. Job.

I wouldn’t make a formal complaint but I would perhaps drop an email to the hospital and explain that you were upset by a porter’s comment and that perhaps some general training/reminders for the portering team would be useful.

Years ago, when I was about to be taken down for surgery, a porter and a junior nurse were waiting outside my bed curtains while I changed out of pyjamas into a hospital gown and they were having a conversation together about some kind of mix-up that had happened a few days previously and saying “This place is such a shambles sometimes. If I needed an operation there’s no way I’d have it here.”

I actually laughed at the lack of tact, because I’m not someone who generally worries about medical stuff, but I did think “Good grief, imagine if you were anxious about your surgery and you heard the staff saying that” and I did mention when I was asked to fill in a patient survey afterwards.

I’m sorry that you found this silly comment distressing, but do you thinks it’s possible that you might be overreacting because of the difficult experience you had in hospital, and because you are feeling very unwell?

Agree. Wishing you well.

Sometimes people say really stupid things, but healthcare workers definately need to be more mindful of what they're saying to patients.

I had severe pre eclampsia when I was pregnant with my first child. I was in hospital already so they rushed me to the recovery room, and put me on a drip which made me throw up everywhere and gave me tachycardia.

I was scared to death, worried about my baby, and one of the nurses said, 'don't have a fit, will you'.

Later I learned that if your blood pressure goes too high you can have a fit and end up in a coma.

A very helpful comment.

Good advice.

Agree.

Not a porter but a hospital cleaner. My dad was dying in hospital with the family all around him. The cleaner came into the room to do something in the bathroom and said we should go as we were stopping him dying!

Definitely flag this. Not ok at all

I complained about a hospital receptionist and a member of admin staff in sonography who both made awful and insensitive comments to me when I was going through a Mmc. Not acceptable and the complaint was taken very seriously and the department concerned thanked me for raising it.

I can't beleive the number of people who would make a formal complaint about a porter, on low wages, trying to keep a light, positive, atmosphere. What are you hoping for, she'll have a telling off from management? Bloody hell, who'd be a hospital porter.

@Coolblur im so sorry this happened to you. That is awful.

Only by making complaints like this does care improve. If nothing is said these people just merrily carry on. Does no one any favours @Kendodd. My grandparents both had minimum wage jobs and would NEVER have been rude to members of the public.

you could raise it with PALS.
but remember, this is not a healthcare professional, or any kind of professional.
whereas the nurses are HCPs and should have been amenable to reason regarding fluid intake.
i wish you a good recovery.

@IsAnybodyListening I know what you mean. I spent almost 4 months in hospital 100's of miles away from home or anyone I know. I had a major organ transplant and I could have died on the table! I wouldn't have appreciated a comment like that at all!

Anyway, the porters in this particular hospital were wonderful at keeping everything light hearted, everything said was to raise a smile and get us patience laughing.

In saying that, the comment made to you was uncalled for, expecially right before a major operation!! I'd raise this just to say, this comment was unnecessary and should never be repeated again as you'd not want anyone else feeling the same as you.

Porters are not health care proffessionals

She wasn't being rude. She made an unfunny joke trying to be friendly.

I wonder if we health care professionals should start complaining about all the inappropriate things patients say to us? There wouldn't be another hours in the day plus all the paper work.

OP I'd let it go at this point.

I've had quite a lot of surgery over the last few years and have a very dry sense of humor myself so that wouldn't bother me at all though I understand why it bothered OP and if the surgeon was cross has probably been raised internally already.

I did once come round in recovery after an op to hear several nurses discussing a colleague who was off sick with a mental health issue which they felt was being used to get "plum" shifts. I knew this individual from another context and was able to identify them from what was said. I haven't breathed a word; knowing the colleague's opinions wouldn't have helped the individual and getting told off wouldn't have changed the colleague's minds. The nurses probably didn't expect me to come round so soon, as I recover unusually quickly from anesthesia. Working with the public is tough. There's always someone ready to complain or take offence and normal workplace conversations become something people use against you rather than understood to be someone just getting it a bit wrong in the moment at work. I know I often reflect on conversations later and wonder if I said the right thing or my intention was clear and sometimes I'm sure I didn't. For me, it feels kind to let these things go.

Completely agree with this.

I'm genuinely curious as to why you aren't thinking of complaining about the nurse who was denying you fluids, risking dehydration and therefore possibly risking your lifeif the aneathetist hasn't come in with the paperwork but you are thinking about complaining about the porter who made a thoughtless commebr which was in no way life threatening?

Since when 'being human' means being always nice? Animals are nicer than humans.

You are doing a job
The iqas a patient in a vert vulnerable position huge difference

I guess you should otherwise it will never stop happening and more than likely it will escalate to the point of people killing each other (intentionally) in hospitals. It actually happens where I live. Don't underestimate the power of stupidity.