To think people are being discharged from hospital too soon

[elliejjtiny]

I know hospitals are not the best places to rest and recover but my son is due to have a major 3 hour operation soon and we have just found out it's going to be day surgery. It's an operation we knew he would need at some point when he was born and we've always known it would involve an overnight stay in hospital. It's the 3rd operation in a set of 3 so we have seen other children having the third operation when ds had his first and second. Ds and most of the other children having these operations spend the first night either crying or asleep, drugged up on morphine and tramadol and with a drip in because drinking is too painful. How can this be day surgery?

In the early 1990's I had my tonsils out and was in hospital for 4 days. I think that was overkill and it's appropriate that this is now day surgery but I think we have gone too far in the other direction. Last time my son had an operation (last year) he was discharged still half asleep and vomiting. I had to borrow a wheelchair to get him into the car. Then I ended up staying up all night with him because I was worried he would vomit and choke in his sleep.

I know most of the time it saves money and probably helps the waiting list (and we need that as ds has been on the waiting list for 2y 3m) but it just doesn't feel right or safe to me.

In some cases yes and in other cases no.
Personally, I prefer being at home rather than having to use hospital bathrooms.
I've had overnight stays in the past and hated them.
I had a mastectomy and implant reconstruction done as a day case in 2021 as they'd changed things due to Covid. The consultant did assure me that should I need a bed there would be one. I was pretty much ok. Had a lymph node clearance later in the year, again as a day case. It was so much better just being at home, the surgery didn't greatly restrict my movement and I preferred having DP help me with showering etc.
A woman I met during chemo stayed overnight after her mastectomy as she lives alone.
My dad had heart bypass surgery following a heart attack in 2020, he was sent him home too soon and ended up going back in.

I kind of agree OP. I’m waiting for a hysterectomy and I have been told I might be able to go home the same day or next day. I remember my mum having a hysterectomy and being in hospital for a week or more.

I have been told….

• less likely to pick up and infection or virus at home.
• people tend to eat better when at home.
• people sleep better in their own beds so recovery is easier.

I do think a lot of it is down to staff shortages and bed shortages. When I have stayed in it has been pretty awful, on nurse covering several wards, buzzers going off everywhere, people not being fed etc….., I would rather be at home recovering if possible.

Thank you everyone. I managed to talk to someone eventually and they said it's supposed to be overnight but the consultant accidentally ticked the wrong box. So it's now been changed and he is booked in for an overnight stay.

I can't remember who asked about the vomiting but he was on the max dose of ordansetron and he still vomited a lot. Can't remember how much but we had to change his hospital gown 3 times and then there were another few times when I was quicker and had the bowl ready. That was in the hour between him coming back to the ward and being discharged. Then he vomited in the car and at home.

As long as the child is OK I would want them at home with me rather thsn stay in the hospital. Hospitals really aren't nice places to be, and other than a few checks won't offer any care you can't have at home

I think in the case of birth going home might be good for 2nd plus babies but years ago when I had my first, the stay was for a week; during that time I was advised on feeding bathing, etc which was very useful and reassuring.
on the other hand, I had a hysterectomy 40-odd years ago and stayed in 10 days. I stayed in a 2-bed ward with a nice lady and we were well looked after, there was no rush to go home and we had a good rest, with two young children at home which was invaluable. by the time i was discharged i was just about able to walk ok as it was major surgery and able to cope

It's terrible, isn't it. I spent some time training on maternity wards in the early 90s.; back then it was a five night stay for a lateral (bikini line) incision, seven nights for vertical (usually emergency) CS. No men on wards, either, the staff took care of the women. What a state the NHS has become. ☹️