To make a PALS complaint about my post-operative care?

[EllieBelly18]

Name changed for this one.

I had surgery yesterday, and have had very scant details of what actually happened. I don’t know what the surgeon actually did - he said he removed some bone, but I don’t know where.

I was instructed to start doing rinses - but not told when. I ended up asking the nurse today on my post-op call, and she had to run about to other nurses to find out. I don't blame her at all, I blame the consultant who didn't give me any info.

I've been given no post-op care info at all, other than "if it's pouring blood, come to A&E". No details on what's normal/what isn't, no details on whether the level of bleeding I'm experiencing is normal (the nurse didn't know either), no details on whether I have packing in my nose etc. I wasn't told about having to sleep upright, I had to find out via google.

I've not been given the right length sick note, which could apparently be an issue with my GP.

The consultant didn't tell me much after the op, just that I didn't have a CSF leak.

I don’t know timelines for things like returning to exercising, bathing/showering, even if I can drink hot drinks.

I just feel like I've been left to my own devices a bit when it comes to all of the recovery - I was expecting to at least be given a leaflet about the procedure that I had, but I was given nothing, and the nurse on my post-op call said she was quite surprised by how little I was given.

Is it unreasonable to make a complaint to PALS in this case?

If you're still on the ward then complain to nurse in charge/ask them to get this information/one of the clinical team to come a give this advice.

Better to actually have this information whilst it can make a difference the go via PALS and just be sent the sorry the service you reviewed didn't meet expectations a review yada yada yada.

I'm at home now. The nurse who called me today to check in on me was really surprised by how little info I was sent home with!

Don't be so ridiculous! If you need more information ask like an grown up, don't make a complaint over absolutely nothing.

If your GP practice can't help then call the surgeons secretary...or of course you could have asked before you voluntarily left the hospital. Surprisingly you weren't going to collect more information by osmosis when you left the building 🙄

I had just had a general anaesthetic and was handed a “post op” pack - which had barely anything in it. The nurse who called me explained none of them specialise in ENT, and the secretaries never get back to you

You must know what you went in for, as you must have signed a consent form (unless you were unconscious). I'm not sure why you could not have asked for the information you feel was lacking.

Our local hospital doesn't give out leaflets anymore - you download everything you need from their website. This may be the case where you are.

There’s nothing on our local hospital website, I’ve been goggling since I got home

I signed a consent form for endoscopic sinus surgery- which is a pretty broad descriptor and covers multiple different procedures

Is that you @ScuderiaSedici?

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5382860-to-ask-anyone-in-the-nhs-how-day-surgery-lists-are-determined?

The op was yesterday and a nurse called today to check on you and answer your questions. I think yabu to be honest.

How would her GP practice know what the surgeon did in terms of removing bone, or what they found during the procedure? This is a massively hostile and itself ridiculous post that is just about having a go at the OP.

OP, I think that's a bit shoddy and I would ring the nurse back who spoke to you earlier and say you'd like someone to contact you with more information. I'd also or alternatively try the ward you were on. I would then think about taking this to PALS to point out that more standard information is needed.

She called to check I didn’t have sickness etc - didn’t know if my bleeding was normal and didn’t know about my rinses! I don’t know what happened during the op either in terms of bone being removed etc., which impacts healing as well

I’ll ring back on Monday, when im a little less fuzzy-headed, and im probably going to do a SAR just so I can actually see my notes. My post-consultation letter arrived today and it’s got loads of typos and words missing! I’m just a little surprised at the total lack of info, my mum has had minor procedures and has had more info!

Is this your minor sinus operation yesterday?

I think it's pretty poor OP. You'd expect a basic debrief on how the surgery went, and aftercare like you said, by the nurse looking after you if not the surgeon or discharging Dr. I'm assuming your GP will (eventually) get a letter with details of the op, so you should get a copy of that. Not helpful for your immediate recovery though

I was thinking this too!😂😂

100% this is about her 5th post about this

Yeah that’s what I was expecting, at least to be told what exactly happened during the op and what to look out for at home in the first few days

And she's back...

Yes, you do need to complain. It really shouldn't be this difficult to find out basic information about your procedure and aftercare. This is a first for you but they are doing it on a regular basis. I recently complained about the discharge process at my local hospital. They said they were glad for the feedback as it wasn't acceptable. We shouldn't accept poor quality of health care.

No wonder the nhs is on its knees.

We all wasted enough time on this last couple of days when you were harping on about cancelling your op if you weren't called first 🙄

Your consent form will have a lot more detail than just ‘endoscopic sinus surgery’ - it would have listed the benefits and the risks and that you understood all of these…….

For anyone commenting, please take the time to read through the other thread...

The other 3 threads

Good gosh