You can’t recover in hospital

[Schuyler]

I’m not complaining about the care which has been exceptional. I just think the environment is not conducive to recovery. Unfortunately, I’ve been admitted to 5 different hospitals over the last few years and I’ve seen the same thing in all.

The temperature is unstable - either far too hot or far too cold.

The food can be virtually inedible. It is certainly not nourishing! Longish admissions mean I work my way through the menus. I’m fortunate to have almost daily visitors who can bring me food but many people don’t have this luxury. If you’re taken for tests when the food arrives, you might end up with cold food or melted ice cream.

It’s noisy and impossible to sleep and too bright. I understand why they need some lights on and obviously they can’t help beeping and confused people calling out.

I don’t think there’s a real answer but people look at me like I’m an alien when I tell them I tend to get better much quicker at home! AIBU?

[scarbados]

I trained as a nurse in the 'bad old days' when we learned on the wards and went into school once a year for 2 or 3 weeks. We were part of the ward staff and worked the same shifts as other staff, except during our first year when we weren't put on nights. (1969 - 1972 Leeds General Infirmary)

I learned the medical theory in the study periods but I became a nurse on the wards - doing the menial tasks, talking to patients as we carried out procedures, always a cupboard to tidy or a drip-stand to wash down when the ward was quiet. I left for a while then went back in 2000 and had to do a returners' course. I couldn't beleive the difference - when I got a bowl of water and detergent to wash down everything in the equipment cupboard, the other nurses asked what I was doing. Apparently it was now okay to have drip-stand bases covered in splashes of blood and vomit. And a tidy sluice? Not a nursing job and by the look of it, not anyone else's either.

Then 10 years ago I spent a few nights in hospital myself and came out ashamed of what my old profession has become.

[CookPassBabtridge]

Yep.. after staying in for a few days after my section, I was getting iller and more distressed.. but then they don't let you out until you improve a bit.. but I didn't improve until I got home!
I had zero sleep, no hot meals, too noisy, too bright, too hot, too uncomfortable, too many visitors to the other beds who stayed all day.

[TwinsTrollsandHunz]

Rosa, I’m an ex-nurse, IME,

Some patients get ‘Pyjama Paralysis’, they get used to having things done for them and don’t much fancy going back to the daily grind.

Some patients live lonely lives and don’t see many people, so a stay in hospital gives them a chance to feel ‘connected’.

Some patients don’t have much money, so the idea of going back to a cold flat and worrying about where your next meal and cup of tea is coming from, isn’t a good one.

Some patients live in situations where they don’t feel safe. Hospital provides them with a bit of respite from that.

Some patients have caring responsibilities, despite being ill themselves (lots of older people in this scenario). Going home means going back to a bit emotional and physical load, the stay in hospital provides a bit of a break (for want of a better word). Some are desperate to get back because they are worried about how their loved one is coping in their absence, but others seem to need the space.

[Trooperslaneagain]

I couldn't wait to get out after DD's birth.

I was sore and shattered but I put my game face and my make up on and smiled and insisted I was fine (I was tbf) and got the hell out of dodge.

The labour suites were brilliant but the ward was so understaffed. You could feel the stress in the air and the midwifes were working so hard and trying their best but it just wasn't good enough.

I made DH go to the shop for pizza and a small wine when we got home. DD was fine but they'd also taken her away from me in the middle of the night "to help me sleep" and given her formula when I was desperately trying to get her to breast feed.

Having said that, my DM died of dementia in a psych ward - the staff (again) were amazing. Some of the HCA's were sitting with her 24/7 for which I'm eternally grateful.

Which reminds me. Need to send another card.

[RosaWaiting]

“They're there to make sure you are safe and cared for until medically fit to go home. And then that is where you recover”

But sadly that’s not the case with a lot of things. With my parents heart problems, it was x period of observation, with my pneumonia it was a thing about IV antibiotic which I’m not sure were needed.

On the elderly parent board we’ve had all kinds of interesting reasons. A lot of it is about not being sued I think, in case the patient collapses after discharge. I’d rather sign a disclaimer. Mum nearly discharged herself on her last hospital stay. I can’t really remember but I think we only got her out because she begged them to let her go. She was under observation. No meds even.

I will do anything to avoid an admission if I get pneumonia again.

[DogHasEatenTheSqueaker]

I have epilepsy and when I was in my late teens I suffered with seizures fairly badly.

Used to cry if I came round and someone said 'ambulance is on its way' as I would inevitably be taken to hospital, when all I wanted was my mum to come and get me, take me home and let me sleep off the aching. I 100% understand why people called them, but would drive me mad. Far better when people assumed I was drunk and called the police - they tended to take me home instead!

If I ended up in casualty, I would ALWAYS have another fit - every single time. Whether it was the drama of it all or simply being kept awake I don't know, but it was every time. Pain in the ass.

(On the flip side, mum used to prefer it if I pee'd on a hospital bed rather than her sofa... 😏)

[catismychild]

@timshelthechoice I think part of it is people become institutionalised. Grown adults put on a hospital gown and turn almost childlike. Unfortunately many nurses will take over and do everything for them because it's often quicker than encouraging independence and waiting for them to do it themselves. Then they get use to it and worry how they'll cope alone when it's time to go home.

That's the impression I get anyway. And it's not exclusive to the elderly either.

[cantfindname]

I have had similar experiences to many listed by PPs.

My biggest concern and fear was that the food (such as it was) was all held at potentially dangerous temperatures. So worried I sent my daughter out to buy a digital probe thermometer so I could check for myself. Hot food supposed to be maintained and served at over 60C was between 20 and 25 C whereas cold/ambient food supposed to be maintained below 5C was also close to 20C.

I do really wonder if this is behind many of the infections that rage through hospitals. Trust me, a processed chicken sandwich at 18C is totally disgusting!

Fortunately I wasn't an in patient for long and my family used to pop to the nearest Tesco to buy me salads and sandwiches. Their standards are so far below FSA standards that it frightened me.

[Purpleartichoke]

We were in the Er this weekend with dd. We are in another country, at a specialty children’s hospital. Even in the Er we had a room with a door that closed. We have been admitted before and all rooms are private with a bed for a parent and an en-suite bathroom with shower. All food is ordered by the patient at whim and I can honestly say it is decent, some dishes are actually very good. It is basically the absolute best setup possible. We were still so happy dd was able to not be admitted. We knew she would heal better at home because she would be able to actually sleep. There is just too much noise and every time you finally get to sleep it is time for another check or a monitor slips and starts beeping until it can be reset.

[catismychild]

Sorry my last post was to @RosaWaiting

[RosaWaiting]

Twinz - thank you.

It’s funny isn’t it....Mum and I absolutely hate going to hospital even for her outpatient checks.

[RosaWaiting]

Cat. That’s really interesting. I did find the hospital staff were lovely to my folks but they encouraged independence. I think food appeared every five minutes, but my parents never wanted it.

Talking about the hierarchy, people who had to do that kind of care for my dad when he was dying were absolutely wonderful. I’m amazed anyone can do this work and I think they’re brilliant. I would just like to see management go back to the quiet rules though.

[TwinsTrollsandHunz]

I really hate this ‘modern student nurses are too posh to wash’ bollocks. It’s divisive nonsense. Personal care is still a fundamental of Nurse education. The fundamentals of care (including personal care and infection control) make up most of the first year of the nursing BSc. It’s pretty much all the ‘hands on’ a first year student nurse will do on their first clinical placement. I’ve supported and worked alongside lots of student nurses and newly qualified nurses and the vast majority were absolutely fine with personal care, no squeamishness or refusals.

[speakout]

Depends on your home environment surely?

If you live alone and need care then hospital may be the best place for you.
If you have 6 kids, an unhelpful or no husband and noisy neighbours hospital may be a break for you.

IIn an ideal world everyone has helpful family and friends at home so they can rest and hget care.

Not everyone has an ideal life.

[AlunWynsKnee]

Last time I was in I got no sleep. Combination of being on a drip (all night as nobody noticed it wasn't going in) and a patient chatting to any staff that went near the desk which was next to my bay.
Consultant and I had a frank conversation the next day about whether I was staying another night!

[80daysaroundtheworld]

True

The food is awful and so degrading that the NHS spend nearly a quid less per meal, than the prison service do

The discharge procedure is ridiculous, you can be unneccesarily waiting in a bed all day for maybe a letter or a prescription - they moan about lack of beds, but if pple were discharged promptly = well, hardly fuckin rocket sci8ence

[MilkGoatee]

I've not been in hospital in this country, but what I noticed with a couple of visits (which may have been quite specific for that particular hospital) is that patients appear to have to meet visitors in/on their beds. Which, together with the long visiting hours, seems very disruptive to me.

Not everyone can leave their bed, of course, but I haven't noticed "day rooms" where people can take their visitors - and leave the wards for people who actually need to be there. Limiting the number of visitors at a time - from the stories on MN - doesn't seem to happen anymore either.

[Zaphodsotherhead]

Rosawaiting - I also live in a house with no heating (except an open fire, which I couldn't light) and mould.

Hospital was, by far, the best place for me to recover.

[kateandme]

the only doctors i hve respected have been the ones tying to keep you out of hospital!
my grandad has been of ill health.he goes in with one thing and there is a fine line between catching him just on that line where he has recovered before he picks up or get sicker from being in hospital!his stays have been never ending becasue he gets something else hils tbeing inside and the conditions of being there have been just awful.

i feel so sorry for the vulnerable too.those who need mental health care.those wards.oh god.shocking.so many nurses avoid or come out crying from them over the years.so many patients who go on a bit like prison become worse.the enviroment of those are just horrifying.

[Skap]

Two things they could fix.
1.Ridiculously long visiting hours. 1pm to 8pm! Who on earth wants someone else's relatives next to them for 7 hours, completely unnecessary.

1. The food. I have a good appetite and am not fussy but I was served meals that were inedible. I could weep at the waste, so much money, effort and staff time has gone into getting meals cooked and down to the ward and yet they are so awful. Please charge for the food! I'm not eating at home and I'm grateful for the health care and drugs the NHS provides but let me buy decent food.
   

I've had a couple of recent experiences.
The first was on an emergency admissions ward. It was utter pandemonium. I felt so sorry for the young doctor who was rushing around totally out of his depth with so many acutely ill patients.

The second was for planned surgery on a breast ward. Two beds to a room so a lot depended on luck as to who was in the next bed. I was lucky enough to have a lovely woman with me. We chatted a little but not intrusively and we each had a visitor for half an hour. In the room next door was a woman who screeched with laughter all day long and had a room full of visitors all day. I would have murdered her if I'd had to share a room.

Top tips
An eye mask is as important to pack as a nightie
Order the sandwiches, there is less they can do to make them inedible.

[timshelthechoice]

if I’m expected to plug the gap where the staff don’t have time to meet my sons 24/7 care needs, then at some point in a 4 week period I’m going to need to shower eat drink and wash clothes.

This! There is this expectation that 'friends and family' are around and close to provide for the patient or carer when in fact, and a lot of this is due to centralisation and closing down of many local hospitals, particularly paediatric ones, this is far from the case, especially if the parent/carer has other younger children/children to look after or the patient is a carer him/herself. And people now have to work! You don't have a person nearby or in the home who is not working, often enough. So this old paradigm has long been untrue.

[ClassicTracks]

I feel for anyone who has to spend longer than 5 minutes in hospital.

I had an unexpected 2 day stay and I'm not exaggerating when I say I came home more poorly than the state I arrived in.

It was nothing short of traumatic.

[elliejjtiny]

YANBU. After both my c-sections I spent most of my time in hospital sterilising bottles, making up feeds, shuffling down endless corridors to nicu and carrying full water jugs and meal trays from the ward kitchen to my bed. When I got home I just had to feed, change and cuddle the baby so recovery was so much easier.

[meccacos2]

In two years I’ve been admitted to 6 hospitals; twice via ambulance.

In public hospital emergency room at 1am I was in agony and the guy next door to me had a visitor. Clearly he was fine as he would not shut up.

The nurses did absolutely nothing.

Piss was left on the floor and the nurses didn’t clean it up.

I was put in a room furthest from the toilet, despite having gastro & should have been isolated. I spent 10 minutes wandering around trying to find a bathroom.

I was told I needed emergency surgery and then I was discharged and told to get follow up tests with my GP.

I’ve been discharged from a public hospital when I should have had surgery. Twice they told me to see my GP, one time they said I needed surgery urgently but they couldn’t do it as all the operating rooms were taken and I had been wheeled away for an unnecessary scan when I should have been in theatre. On that occasion the surgeon made a call to a private hospital to get me in there. I ended up walking half way to the other hospital (down the road) with a junior doctor, high on painkillers. I was admitted straight away and put into surgery.

I would be dead if I didn’t have private health insurance.

The public hospital system in my country is broken.

[Schuyler]

I have to say that, on the whole, the nursing care has been fantastic. My current ward is predominantly quite older people (and me!) and they all pitch in with changing incontinence pads and feeding patients.

My current cubicle is so small and squashy. I’m almost on top of the poor lady next to me if I sit in the chair.

I agree that visitors can be a problem. They don’t adhere to visiting hours nor do they adhere to the “only 2 patients per bed”. That said, lovely nurse today has been telling off all the visitors who are sitting on the beds and using patient toilets!

I am feeling stronger but I need the IV antibiotics and a little bit of monitoring hence why I can’t go home. It’s miserable being hot, hungry and tired given that if it weren’t for IVs, I could be at home.