Granpa: Discharged from Public Hospital - No One Able To Pick Him Up.

tempura on 30/07/2019 - 14:11
Last edited 30/07/2019 - 17:20 by 1 other user

My Granpa about to be discharged from the public hospital and I have two "perfect" situations here (please bear with me as I try to be as brief as I can).

  • I will be interstate on his discharge day and will be back just the day after; there's no one else able to pick him up.
    Q: Has anyone had this sort of circumstance? is it too much of an ask if I politely request if he can stay for another night in the ward?

  • Both lifts in his apartment are currently under maintenance and expected to be fixed mid next week and he is not fit to walk up 5 flight of stairs going to his unit.
    Q: Ambulance is not an option here from my understanding; is there any other option/s to get him up there to his unit?

Thanks!

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • brad1-8tsi on 30/07/2019 - 15:41
    +1

    The last couple of times I was in hospital they asked if I had anyone at home to keep an eye on me. If the answer had been "No" then I could have stayed a couple of extra days and they also would have activated some support services. (wound care, personal hygiene)

    Have you discussed the issue with the hospital and what the options are? They generally aren't keen to send folk away if they think their good work will be ruined.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/07/2019 - 15:57
    +6

    Talk to the hospital social worker. Social workers are miracle workers: they'll have a solution for you:)

  • altomic on 30/07/2019 - 16:02
    +1

    no lift?

    jetpack.

    modern problems call for modern solutions.

    • serpserpserp on 30/07/2019 - 22:05
      +1

      You do mean teleporter right? Tesla make one.

      • HighAndDry on 31/07/2019 - 11:57
        +5

        I'm still not sold on teleporters. How do we know it's not just creating a clone at the destination and killing you?

        • BluPlox on 31/07/2019 - 18:09
          +1

          Real talk, tis a heavy thought excercise I tend to entertain whilst on the dunny..

          • resisting the urge on 01/08/2019 - 00:12

            @BluPlox: I had a bad vision of the cheapest option being an underemployed millenial off Airtasker agreeing to help grandpa home in a van

            … and up the stairs with his new stair trolley\

            (Two blokes and a van would be around triple but the chance of success is infinitely higher)

        • AlexF on 01/08/2019 - 09:19

          How do we know it's not just creating a clone at the destination and killing you?

          murder is illegal.

        • buckster on 01/08/2019 - 14:45
          +1

          If it works and transfers the consciousness fine, I don't see the problem!

          And the expired body can be used to solve world hunger problems

  • bobbified on 30/07/2019 - 16:19
    +3

    I got disharged from hospital weeks ago after a huge operation and there was no way they were going to let me go alone. The nurses knew I lived alone and they told me about there being community services that can be arranged to come and assist during and after discharge.

    However, I didn't enquire any further though because I knew family and friends were coming.

    You could ask the hospital themselves or ask the nurses that are looking after your grandpa if they know anything about it.

    Other than that, any other friends of yours that you can ask to assist? I and Im sure many others would be more than happy to help out their mates and their families in these types of circumstances.

    Slightly off topic, but when I was in the waiting room to be called for my operation, I was with my family and friends. I saw a few people sitting there by themselves and I felt so sad wondering why these people had no family and/or friends with them even before going into this life or death operation. I literally had tears in my eyes thinking about it.

    • yah00 on 31/07/2019 - 21:31

      I went alone to the hospital , yes it was sad. The only thing that I had were my medicare card, money for the bus, clothes that I was wearing.
      I was thinking, this is it, "if I die, the only thing I have are the things I have right mow regardless if I have a lot of money. "

      The reason I went alone:
      1. my wife was taking care of the baby at home and she could not drive anyway (no licence)
      2. my bro was working.
      3. I was still able to go to hospital alone.
      4. The hospital told me that the family friends should wait at home until they call after the operation ( no point they waited for me before, during, after the operation)
      5. My bro picked me up when I called him that I was ready to go home.

      YES, you need somebody to pick you up and you have somebody that will take care of you.

      If you have nobody, you should have notify the hospital during the induction (days before the operation)and they will organise it for you. ( I am in WA )

      • Love a bargain on 31/07/2019 - 22:07

        Same. I've gone into surgeries/ procedures by myself and would happily leave by myself if I was able to and they'd let me (unfortunately not). Why make others sit there and wait (while paying through the roof for hospital parking) when I am more than capable of getting there myself?

        However, I might very well feel differently if I was in for a major surgery and my chance of coming out alive is not good.

        • bobbified on 31/07/2019 - 22:33

          Why make others sit there and wait (while paying through the roof for hospital parking..)

          I don't think it's about "making" others sit there and wait. I know that I wouldn't be "made" to wait for the people I care about. I would want to be there they step of the way. My family and friends are the same. If I told them not to come, they'd not be happy.

          Also, parking (and any other costs for that matter) would be the last thing on my mind.

          ..if I was in for a major surgery and…

          I agree.. for minor stuff, it's not really necessary to have everyone there. But it was the cardiac room and the 6 elderly people waiting that day were all in line for open-heart surgery. Survival stats are generally good, but it's such a huge and scary operation. I would've thought that any support they had would be there prior to the operation. My thought was.. what does someone have to do in order to not have anyone at a time like this?

          • Love a bargain on 01/08/2019 - 14:57

            @bobbified: To me, what matter more is for someone to be there when I come out (cos that's when I'd be feeling miserable and sorry for myself). Going in? Not so much.

            Again, if it's some major operation, I could very well feel differently. Thankfully, I've never got to that even though I've had my fair share of surgeries/ in-patient procedures (touch wood)

      • bobbified on 31/07/2019 - 22:25

        To be honest, it was the elderly patients I noticed and felt sad for (I assume that younger people like yourself will be okay during surgery because younger people tend to recover easier).

        I was waiting for open heart surgery and so was everyone else in this room. It's a major operation and while the survival rate is quite high nowadays, it's still really ugly and there's always going to be the "what if" thoughts. Even if they survive, the recovery process is long and painful. Because there was no-one there with them before the operation, I also couldn't help but wonder if there would be anyone to help them with recovery after. The physical side is one thing, but there's also the psychological impact too. I can tell from first hand experience that im really glad to have a huge support network right now. I generally quite independant, but I can't imagine what it'd be like without it.

  • The mikky on 30/07/2019 - 17:34
    +4

    Can you put grandma and grandpa up in a hotel for the night nearby the hospital ? Then you can pick them up the next day?

    As in get her to pick him up then cab it to a nearby hotel, hopefully with room service and elevator to rooms. Then you can pick them up when you are back.

  • Brucet on 30/07/2019 - 17:45
    +3

    Pay someone $ does it for you. Money always made thing happened.

  • chumlee on 30/07/2019 - 18:12

    Did you post here as you want someone to pick him up??

    Maybe ask staff at the hospital as I'm sure thus issue comes up often for patients

  • Kaz0551 on 30/07/2019 - 18:15
    +2

    There are companies like Elderide (cough plug mum) who specialise in outings and stuff for the elderly. Think an Uber or Taxi who only deal with old folks. Not sure where you're based, mum is Sydney North.

  • ihbh on 30/07/2019 - 18:18
    +1

    See if you can put him in respite care until you can come back.

  • Starchick on 30/07/2019 - 18:31
    +26

    I am a social worker. I used to work in public health, now work in the private system. I might be able to assist you with some advice. Bear in mind I am based in Melbourne and health services are different from state to state. I would ask to speak to the ward Social Worker as they are the best people to liaise with in regards to your concerns. Sorry this will be a lengthy post!!!

    I do have a few questions to ask.
    Is your grandpa a pensioner? If so all full aged pensioners are entitled to an ambulance service that can provide transport back home. Ambulance service should not decline a patient for an ambulance if required. Not sure if this is the case in NSW. Depending on what ward he is on and depending on The ANUM (Associate Nurse Manager)or NUM (Nurse Unit Manager) may be able to provide a taxi voucher provided he can be discharged home along safely? I would have a chat to them about this. Sounds like he wouldn't be safe due to access into his home and no one to is able to pick him up. Sounds like he would be going home alone and would require further social work and Occupational therapist input to assess the home set up. Has either profession be referred? Often what happens is referrals come up just as patients are about to be discharged home, when they should have been referred earlier. Often it comes from the Dr's who feel that are medically stable and now ready to be discharged. I have had nurses ring me up or approach me on the ward and say I am sorry to ask you this now but, can you assist with organising urgent transport for discharge now. Many times I have been called up at the last minute from doctors and nursing staff to organise transport from immediate discharge to organise transport home to for patients when no Next of Kin is available. If it was me I would advocate for him to stay on and explore this with him and your family. In regards to transport, the only transport that can be organised quickly if an ambulance/or family member is unable to pick your grandpa up. There are private services which, are costly ($50 + per hour and more for milage).
    * Is your grandpa on a Home Care Package, if so he may have a case manager attached and may be able to assist with a carer/escort and transport.

    Hospital-based services such as Post Acute Care, do not provide transport. Yet provide Home help, Personal care assistance and home base respite. I hope he hasn't yet being discharged home yet and that you or your family have spoken to the ward social worker.

    Hope this info has been helpful. Wish I saw the post earlier on.

    • hey aj on 30/07/2019 - 18:40
      +2

      Great information, thanks for teaching me something!

    • tempura on 30/07/2019 - 20:08
      +1

      I hope he hasn't yet being discharged home yet and that you or your family have spoken to the ward social worker.

      no, he hasn't and yes I'll speak to the ward social worker. thanks!

    • Jcww on 31/07/2019 - 09:17

      Ambulance will only take patients home if CLINICALLY required. Family convenience is not a clinical issue, it is a logistical issue. Patient transport at best. Ambulance will not ferry an ambulant patient, removing one from service for an hour plus and take pop home. Those days are gone. As is carrying someone UP a flight of stairs home. There is the rare exception (end of life, VERY special cases that rules will be bent for). Different story if immobile or NEEDS stretcher transport. If he can’t get himself upstairs, he can’t go home, simple. Needs to find somewhere else to stay until lift is fixed and have a good long look at if he is safe continuing to live there.

  • burtie on 30/07/2019 - 19:59

    An elderly family member of mine was forced to stay in hospital after her discharge date while we sorted out a suitable nursing home for her. I think she ended up paying about $50 a day for it over the course of a few weeks. This also happened with someone else I know who ended up in hospital when her full time carer was away. She stayed in for a few extra days and they charged per day then too (in a public hospital).

  • BestofOZB on 30/07/2019 - 20:26
    +14

    Hi OP, don't stress. I see all the comments against you, but in real life, there are at least a bunch of people in the same hospital at the same time in a similar situation. How do I know? I work at one.

    Yes we want people who need to be out of hospital to be out ASAP, to look after more, but we are humans and have common sense.

    I would be more concerned that the lifts are not working, Grandpa won't be able to go up the stairs. That't your line.

    My advice is to call the hospital, speak to the nurse in charge, nurse unit manager or the social worker. Tell them that the lift ain't working, and you will pick grandpa the next day to stay with you until the lift is fixed. Don't worry they won't really kick him out the door.

    Actually kudos to you for being a good grandson.

  • Plug on 30/07/2019 - 21:01

    To all those suggesting Airtasker, think again. you're talking about an elderly person who will need to be collected form a hospital, driven home and then assisted up stairs. How many Airtaskers have had any training in moving elderly people around and will be insured for this kind of thing? What if they drop him? Seems an easy solution on the face of it but I wouldn't go there with an elderly relative.

    • funnysht on 30/07/2019 - 22:18
      +1

      many do

    • shopper54 on 30/07/2019 - 22:22

      Plus inviting a complete stranger into the grandfather's home invites opportunity for bad things to happen.

      The grandfather is likely quite vulnerable and easily could be hurt or robbed.

      • funnysht on 31/07/2019 - 09:18
        +1

        check the reviews

  • Davo1111 on 30/07/2019 - 21:28
    +1

    hotel

    • funnysht on 30/07/2019 - 22:18
      +6

      exactly i prefer my tax dollars to pay patients who are unwell not for an extra day as a hotel

      • BestofOZB on 30/07/2019 - 23:41
        +12

        I have no problem with my taxes going to ensure an elderly person remains safe in hospital for an extra day than going out to who-knows where.

        I however have a problem with my taxes going to politicians' generous retirement benefits!

      • Ti-au on 31/07/2019 - 02:38

        @funnysht I prefer my tax dollars aren't spent on you even if you are dying of a heart attack or stroke. But unlike you I won't pretend that I have any power in deciding where my tax dollars go.

        I guess your pro all the wasteful spending Governments do, since you don't seem to be complaining about that.

        • Davo1111 on 31/07/2019 - 09:02
          +4

          I prefer my tax dollars spent on people dying of a heart attack or stroke, rather than someone who wants to stay at hospital because it's more convenient for them

          • funnysht on 31/07/2019 - 09:20

            @Davo1111: me too- i prefer my tax dollars going to help ppl (anyone in fact) who need urgent help.

            if someone has truly no where to go then that's fine they'll move to transitional. But there is usually a family member who can take a day off (called carer's leave- that's why we have it in australia) if the patient can't live by themselves.

            • Davo1111 on 03/08/2019 - 12:05

              @funnysht: me too- i prefer my tax dollars going to help ppl (anyone in fact) who need urgent help.

              agreed, emphasis on "urgent".

          • Ti-au on 02/08/2019 - 10:45

            @Davo1111: So you pro overseas junkets? Cool.

            Perhaps you could provide an analysis on the cost of staying in hospital one night when it is unsafe to leave for 1 day (mostly sunk costs - so it will cost the tax payer 3 meals - hospital meals have a reputation for high quality after all) and the cost to provide free overseas trips for politicians?

            Thanks.

            • Davo1111 on 02/08/2019 - 18:44

              @Ti-au: wtf does junkets have to do with this discussion? grow up

              Anyway, it costs about $1100/night in hospital

  • MessyG on 30/07/2019 - 22:07
    +16

    I work in a public hospital and run into this situation not infrequently.

    Of course you can ask them to keep an extra day, they would never just push him out the front door of the hospital. Ring up the hospital and ask to speak to social worker, or the nurse in charge, or the nurse unit manager or the registrar looking after him, all of them can advocate for him (just try them all until you get one who is available). If you say there is no one to pick him up and he has no money for a taxi, they can either keep him another day (depending on how busy the service is/what the pressure to clear beds is like) or offer a taxi voucher. And frankly if he can't get up the stairs and the lifts aren't working then they can't discharge him anyway. We have stretchered someone up stairs into their home before via national patient transport but that was a unique situation. If he's a pensioner he can get transported home - but the stairs are a huge issue, if he can't get up them he can't go home because it's unsafe. Don't stress too much, this situation is not uncommon and while hospitals are hospitals, they're not heartless and we all get it. Please ignore all the pearl clutchers on here who can't believe an elderly person has no one to pick them up, this is bloody common - I'm surprised they're surprised.

    • Save Medicare on 31/07/2019 - 11:13

      Getting a taxi voucher from a NUM is like putting a central line into a stone. If the patient can pay for their own transport, why does the hospital have to?

      • MessyG on 31/07/2019 - 21:02

        It's the bed pressure aspect - they do give them out in certain circumstances…generally patient flow going bananas at them over beds. Depends on the hospital too.

    • akyeeeahdude on 01/08/2019 - 08:10
      +1

      Good advice.

      My Dad developed normal pressure hydrocephalus at some point in his life but symptoms only manifested suddenly (basically overnight) later in his life. He lived alone and the sudden onset of this condition meant that he could no longer care for himself or safely be at home alone. Because of the sudden onset, he was admitted to hospital and eventually when they wanted to discharge him, they couldn't as there was no one that could look after him at home all day, every day (my sister and I both work full-time). As a result, the hospital kept him there for about 2-3 months until I managed to find a place at an aged care facility for him. The hospital was pretty good about this but every 2-3 weeks, I'd get a call checking-in on my progress in finding him care, which was understandable.

      • BestofOZB on 02/08/2019 - 00:43

        It took you 2-3 months to find a nursing home? Damn, where do you live and how hard were you looking?

        • Ti-au on 02/08/2019 - 10:48
          +1

          Sigh….

          Not all nursing homes have the level of care required, or if they do they might not have places available.

          The Government has acknowledge this and this is why nursing homes are moving to assessment.

          • BestofOZB on 02/08/2019 - 17:42

            @Ti-au: Patients and families are not given the option to stay in hospital until a place in their preferred nursing home becomes available, this can take months and years (really until someone dies)!

            They have to list 3 or 5 and go to the first one that has availability.

            Level of care? Meh, it is only that some NH do not have a dementia section, but many do, so shouldn't delay things by months.

            The only acceptable reason is if it is a remote area where there is very limited NH's, otherwise I say the hospital has been very generous.

          • akyeeeahdude on 02/08/2019 - 23:32
            +1

            @Ti-au: You are 100% correct. From 2016 or 2017 (if I'm not mistaken), there was no more "low care" and "high care" places. When the change occurred (and due to my Dad's increasing care needs), we had to find him a new facility that could cater for him. The goal was that all facilities should cater for their residents along with their increasing care needs though. When we had to move him, yes, it was very difficult again to find a place. We ended up getting lucky and getting him into a brand new facility that had just opened up but before that, many facilities refused to even put him on the waiting list (fully government funded).

        • akyeeeahdude on 02/08/2019 - 23:30
          +1

          When you have a fully government funded patient (not enough funds for a RAD), yes, it is very difficult to find a place as there are only a limited number of government concession places per facility.

          Brisbane but also looking as far south as the Gold Coast and as far north as the Sunshine Coast.

          • Ti-au on 03/08/2019 - 20:10
            +1

            @akyeeeahdude: Any tips?

            • akyeeeahdude on 04/08/2019 - 11:50
              +1

              @Ti-au: With finding both places, what helped was being given the opportunity to explain my Dad's life and situation. Both places responded very positively to learning that he was a WW2 veteran who served in Borneo, Makassar, Celebes (Sulawesi), Guadalcanal and then later in the occupation force in Japan (after the WW2 ended). Unfortunately some places didn't care and told me not to even bother being placed onto their waiting list (due to the long waiting time).

              As far as the ACAT assessment is concerned, many places don't look favourably upon aggression being mentioned. With degenerative cognitive conditions, this can be common but if possible, see if mentioning this can be avoided.

              Unfortunately Dad passed away back in May. Best advice I can provide anyone is to encourage your loved one to be as active and self-sufficient as possible. I feel that Dad decline because he no longer needed to do anything for himself whilst in the previous aged care facility which was much more of a "low care" arrangement.

  • funnysht on 30/07/2019 - 22:15
    +3

    honestly this is unfortunately what's wrong with hospitals- and why patients are waiting in ED and waiting times are going through the roof.

    Hospital is not a hotel.

    If the lift is broken then get a taxi voucher and pay for a motel for 1-2 days. Inpatient care costs 1000s of tax payer dollars and people who actually need medical care are left in triage areas because the hospital if full. An extra day may not mean much but it means that someone else who needs the bed can't have one.

    Honestly i've worked in the hospital system- and it's is too cushy. Oh you have a rash ok lets get the dermatology registrar to see you tomorrow- seriously if not life threatening go home see your gp. I once heard a registrar say ok stay overnight because it was hot and humid outside (the patient was a 35 year lady with just leg celluitus). If your home is not accessible then go to a motel.

    -To the ppl sayiing to just stay another night in hospital—>

    Hospitals are not hotels. Your grandpa was unwell and he needed inpatient care- he doesnt now so give another person the opportunity to get inpatient care. How would you feel if your grandpa didn't get urgent care because some posh patient complained and got to stay an extra day because of transport or because they wanted to save few extra bucks.

    • BestofOZB on 30/07/2019 - 23:33
      +2

      You don't know if his grandpa is medically safe to be in a hotel alone.

      • funnysht on 31/07/2019 - 09:02

        So he can be medically safe at home by himself which was the OP's first plan?,

        • tempura on 31/07/2019 - 09:11

          yes, under my care; remember i'll be back from interstate.

          • funnysht on 31/07/2019 - 09:21
            -1

            @tempura: any reason why you can't come back from interstate sooner? I mean we all would take a day off from work without a second thought by taking carer's leave/sick leave?

            • tempura on 31/07/2019 - 09:40

              @funnysht: it's not about whether I can come back sooner or go later; it's the fact that on the discharge day, I will need to be away.

    • Ti-au on 31/07/2019 - 03:03
      +5

      A hospital is place where people are sick, could be operated on or are treated and then recover, and then let out of the hospital system if it is safe to do so.

      "Hospitals are not hotels." - Only you are saying that. No one likes being in a hospital. No one dreams of touring europe via hospitals. However it is unsafe to release him Hospitals have an obligation to provide a bed for him. That is their role. If you don't like that role, then I would suggest you write to your local MP and demand we close down Hospitals with wards and only have ED departments with limited beds.

      Inpatient care costs 1000s of tax payer dollars - A stay does not cost thousands. Rather the majority of all costs are already sunk costs, meaning whether the Grandfather is there or not, they will still be paid, or have been paid. We will still pay for the hospital, the equipment, the staff of the hospital (Drs, nursers, servers, cleaners, etc) and all the other associated internal costs whether there are 100 patients or 0 patients (staff are rostered on per ward Not number of patients). The only direct cost attributed to the grandfather stay would be medicine, food and drink and cleaning of beding.

      In regards to the fact that he could be stopping someone from another bed - #1. He is Not in ED, meaning people in ED will get treatment anyway regardless if the grandfather is in the bed for 1 hour or 1 year. #2 Many times hospitals have many beds (sometimes empty wards!) and usually it is not the lack of beds but lack of staff which reduces the number of beds available or it is lack of beds in one area (like the Emergency department). It is up to the Government to ensure that there is an acceptable number of staff on.

      If we can pay for Politicians 'working' holidays and boutique wines then we can afford to pay for adequate staff and only release patients when it is safe to do so.

      • Fijiboy on 31/07/2019 - 06:54
        +5

        With all due respect to your opinion, Ememrgency departments need to shift patients on the wards as quickly as possible, and when there aren't enough beds in the wards, emergency departments have issues doing so.

        Hospitals are not hotels. That said, patient care is why they exist.

      • funnysht on 31/07/2019 - 09:13
        +4

        "Only you are saying that"- Come to a hospital where the nurses/doctors work who feel the strain and ask them that question?

        Do you think the care in ED and ward are the same?

        When there is a back logged patients get backlogged to triage areas AND hospitals do get diverted. I've had these few times, when hospitals are diverting ambulances to other hospitals- so do you think they are 'hiding' wards and beds!

        The triage care isnt that great.

        True inpatient care doesnt costs 1000s and fixed costs, but have you heard of extra nursing staff being held back, and using anehsethic bays as beds- so these arent sunk costs- they open these up on certain days when the hospital is full costing more $$$

        It's easy to blame the government than the family member who has a responsibility to their grandparents, but can't fork out an exxtra 50-100$ to get a motel.

        "If we can pay for Politicians 'working' holidays and boutique wines then we can afford to pay for adequate staff and only release patients when it is safe to do so."
        ——True but politicans taking working holidays don't equate to patients not getting prorper medical care.

        Have you heard of 'granny dumping'. It's when laazy family members dump their granny in the hospital during holiday times so they can take a holiday. it's common. They're too guilty to put them in a nursing home, and instead of getting relief care, transitional care. they place their pooor granny in the hospital. This happens a lot.

        • BestofOZB on 31/07/2019 - 10:48
          -1

          "Come to a hospital where the nurses/doctors work who feel the strain and ask them that question?"
          -Are you one? If yes you lack compassion and shouldn't be. No nurse or doctor will whinge about keeping and elderly person a day to ensure his saftey.

          "Have you heard of 'granny dumping"
          - You just defined it for us, so how doee that equate to OP's?

          You either never worked at a hospital, or you do and are very frustrated with the system and need a long service leave.

          • funnysht on 31/07/2019 - 10:52
            +1

            @BestofOZB: lol you're prob right need long service leave.

            Lack compassion? No i dont think so, i feel passionate about the elderly people who can't get a bed or wait in triage for hours to get an ED bed.

            Granny dumping is a well known term (in the hospital system) it's not used formally for obvious connotations. Just because you've never heard of it
            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granny_dumping

            Have you worked in any hospital? Speak to a few ED nurses and you'll know why- We all want people to go home safely the point is when family members get lazy/ can't pay so they force the hospital to keep a patient in an extra day(s).

            • BestofOZB on 31/07/2019 - 10:56

              @funnysht: I know what granny dumping is, people who granny dump don't answer their phones for days and weeks.

              OP is being a responsible grandson and wants to ensure grandpa's safety.

              If you are a nurse in ED, maybe try to work on the medical/geriatric ward for a week, you will see the flip side, OP is a the good one here.

              • funnysht on 31/07/2019 - 10:57

                @BestofOZB: it's unfortunate because these patients in ED wait for one of these "non medical" pts to be discharged. Ive worked in both areas and trust me if you just work in geriatric ward- yes it looks awesome but you dont see the pts in ed or triage waiting for hours….

                • BestofOZB on 31/07/2019 - 11:00

                  @funnysht: So, we agree that that is life/reality, so why are you so harsh on OP here.

                  Would you discharge an elderly patient who came to ED with a minor injury who then tells you the lift ain't working and he cannot go home, but his grandson will come from interstate to pick him up tomorrow to a hotel? I bet you won't.

                  • funnysht on 31/07/2019 - 11:03

                    @BestofOZB: if you read my posts- i'm asking the OP that he should make strong effort to come and pick his grandpa up and not abuse the system. If he really cannnot then obv let him stay.

                    Would you tell an elderly patient who needs urgent care "you have to wait in the triage system or divert to another hospital 20min away because Mr Joe blobs- his family isnt willing to take him today but tomorrow"

                    • BestofOZB on 31/07/2019 - 11:03

                      @funnysht: I think OP is willing but unable to.

                      • funnysht on 31/07/2019 - 11:05

                        @BestofOZB: OP hasn't really told us why he can't..he keeps saying going interstate. Granted if he is telling the truth then that's fine.

                        Anyway- im just referring to those family members who just abuse the system.

        • Ti-au on 01/08/2019 - 03:43

          To be honest I don't really feel massive compassion for Drs after seeing some of their massive pay cheques. I would feel more compassion about the stress if we paid them less.
          (I still do for nurses, who are really the unsung heroes of the medical profession).

          "This happens a lot." - how often does it really happen? because if it was, I am pretty sure ACA would be highly interested in doing a story about it. Op is not dumping, just asking for 24 hours for saftey and to make sure he can provide appropriate aftercare.

      • MessyG on 31/07/2019 - 21:07
        +1

        This is a failure of planning from the hospital team. Once admitted on the ward the team need to be thinking about the discharge destination, they should be assessing for barriers to discharge and that includes checking that home setup and access to the home is appropriate. From what I've gathered they've given extremely short notice to the only person who can get the patient home. The OP is not a dumper, they're asking for advice and trying to get their grandparent home safely which is levels and levels above what I see people get up to in terms of keeping their elderly family in hospital so they can get some guilt free respite. I don't think the OP is treating the place like a hotel at all, they've raised genuine concerns about community access that the team has failed to account for.

    • 91rs on 31/07/2019 - 09:43

      Clearly someone who's not had to deal with old people (their own parents or grand parents) who are often sick and require help (hospitals, specialists and being taken to those places etc).
      Its something that while many do the best they can, I'd not wish on anyone else as it can be a terribly difficult thing to balance and be able to do everything required while still working.

      • funnysht on 31/07/2019 - 10:48

        not sure what you meant? Do you mean this gives them the right to place their grandpa in a hospital even though medically they're fine?

        Because theres nursing home, transitional care homes, relief care for that…

        • BestofOZB on 31/07/2019 - 10:52
          +2

          I will keep replying to your misleading comments until you quit.

          OP did not "place" their grandpa in the hospital, he was an inpatient for a reason.

          Haha, it takes days and weeks to arrange for respite/nursing home from hospitals.

          Transitional care provides help to people at home after discharge for a short period, grandpa can't go up the stairs for god sake!

          • funnysht on 31/07/2019 - 10:56
            -1

            @BestofOZB: Misleading …lol. Have a look at other ppl also supporting that hospitals are not hotels.

            if a family member can take them then do it, OP's grandpa was in hospital for medical reasons and now he is suitable for discharge. Obviously if there's absolutely no one can take him then nothing can be done- but i'm talking about the family members who can't be bothered.

            In terms of nursing home etc yes they take days to organise- that's why i'm talking about these in relation to people who "granny dump" their family memebers in hospital. Instead of using the right avenues they wait for the last moment and take them to the ED and leave. I think they do a great job at looking after their grandparents etc but dumping them in ED for non medical reasons is just very poor on their part.

            • BestofOZB on 31/07/2019 - 10:57
              +1

              @funnysht: I'm talking about OP 🤷‍♂️

              • funnysht on 31/07/2019 - 11:00

                @BestofOZB: Of course, i'm talking about generally.

                In OP's case if there truly isnt anyone available then his grandpa should DEFINITELY NOT be discharged and no nurse/doctor would do that assuming what OP is telling is the truth.

                But trust me..there are lots of cases when the family member doesnt want to take a day off work, or a day off their holiday etc that they don't.

                • BestofOZB on 31/07/2019 - 11:07
                  +1

                  @funnysht: I am assuming OP is telling the truth. OK we both agree now. Have a great day ✌

  • baker bob on 31/07/2019 - 08:22

    From personal experience, the private hospital I had my knee reconstruction at absolutely refused to discharge me unless a relative came to pick me up. They would not release me with a taxi waiting.

    Asking my wife who is a nurse, she confirmed that public hospitals do release patients to waiting taxis but it also depends on the procedure they had done. You are going to want some assurances if the person is high on post op Opioids or still feeling the effects of the anaesthetic which was my case and likely why I couldn't just jump into a tax.

  • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2019 - 08:22
    +1

    Patient transport is another option, costly but you have trained paramedics who can provide the correct level of care.

  • HeWhoKnows on 31/07/2019 - 08:38

    Ring hospital and explain situation

    Ask them to discharge a day later

  • 91rs on 31/07/2019 - 08:46
    +1

    Yeah had similar situation with out 5 flights of stairs.
    I was in Perth for work, she was in Sydney, released at night as they needed the beds etc. She had no money and no one else to collect her.
    Ordered an Uber, even included details of exactly where she will be, what she was wearing and who to look for explaining the situation.
    Uber just ended up being a regular scum taxi driver who didn't go to the right pickup point, took quite some time to get the two in the same location, then must have given me 1 star as it destroyed my rating.
    He was also a bit of a jerk to her about it.
    She never used Uber before and after that doesn't want another Uber that I setup if I am away.

    She got home, but it was less than ideal.
    It'd almost be worth coupling this with airtasker to get him up the stairs and home, however i'd be more suss about randoms going in to where she lives etc.

    • Davo1111 on 31/07/2019 - 09:04

      probs should have paid for a private car hire, than an uber.

      Different level of service.

      • 91rs on 31/07/2019 - 09:49

        It was an Uber black, but yeah next time I know better.
        Didn't have the time to find & organize a private car (also didn't think about it), where as the app was easy and I'd never had issues with Uber before.
        If there's a next time I will.

        • Ti-au on 02/08/2019 - 10:55

          All these comments Op. should do X.

          Op did do X.

          Oh… well Op should of done y or silence.

          Galling.

    • tempura on 31/07/2019 - 09:13

      what makes it harder is that Granpa only speaks very basic English.

  • funnysht on 31/07/2019 - 09:32
    +2

    Hospitals are facing this problem every day, In fact they have introduced "early discharge policy" and also above some beds they have notice saying once the doctors find you able to be discharge, they will charge any extra days- i think they never enforce this but this is how serious the issue is at the moment. Liverpool hospital had to be diverted because of bed blocks. So instead of getting their thrombolysis therapy (urgent therapy that needs to be given without 4 hours for stroke or 12 hours for a heart attack) they are diverted to st george, campbelltown or westmead hospitals- an extra 30min drive.

    Every 10min counts in reversing damage a strooke has caused. So instead they get diverted because your poor old betty's family refuses to take her home because they're on holiday or they're busy. If the OP truly can't have ANYONE help then I guess there's nothing that can be done.

    So to all those saying "holistic care etc"-, first ensure urgent patients are treated.

    • tempura on 31/07/2019 - 09:38
      +2

      So instead they get diverted because your poor old betty's family refuses to take her home because they're on holiday or they're busy

      you don't know anything about me so stop acting like you do and stop judging; do you really think i'm on a holiday at a beach somewhere?

      • funnysht on 31/07/2019 - 09:40

        I'm not specifically referring to you in this comment tempura. I'm just talking about generally.

        • Love a bargain on 31/07/2019 - 18:03
          +1

          I understand that you might be a frustrated hospital staff. However, I don't understand why you have to constantly bring in what you thinks happen in general into this discussion.

          OP came here to ask for advise on his particular situation. Unless you're accusing OP of lying, then take it at face value that he simply just can't be there. What you thinks others might do to their elderly family member is completely irrelevant to this discussion.

          Besides, I'm sure there are more loving and caring family members who can't wait to bring their family members home (elderly or otherwise).

          Your generalisation is obviously upsetting OP, who is trying his best to deal with a difficult situation. If you have nothing nice/ constructive to say, perhaps you shouldn't be saying anything at all.

    • MessyG on 31/07/2019 - 21:08

      Jeez isn't Liverpool a 1000+ bed hospital? This sends chills down my spine.

  • Pungentia on 31/07/2019 - 09:41

    There are private aged care nursing services like this that you can engage that can pick up your elderly relative from hospital for a fee, bring them home and provide nursing care. We use a service like that in Melbourne for in home, overnight respite.They may have staff who are fluent in other languages/have understanding of other cultures.

    That said, if the lifts are out, and your grandpa can't use the stairs, I don't know that going home is safe.

    • tempura on 31/07/2019 - 09:45

      in all honesty, the lifts issue is the least of my priority at the moment; on the day i'm picking him up (be that official discharge +1 or +2), at the back of my mind, I will just do it single-handedly. I will do what it takes, what it needed of me, to take him upstairs. This is the original plan, if worse come to worst that my discussion with nursing unit manager or ward social worker bear fruitless outcome.

      • Love a bargain on 31/07/2019 - 18:11

        You might want to rethink that plan.

        Is Grandpa gonna be home by himself for any part of those first few days, until the elevators are fixed (e.g. when you go to work)? If so, you might want to rethink that plan. It's not actually the safest to leave someone in a unit/ building that they can't get out of themselves if there's a fire etc.

        Can he say with you for a few days (assuming there's better access to your place)? If not, perhaps a few nights in a accessible room at a motel/ hotel is not a bad idea.

        • MessyG on 01/08/2019 - 19:53

          I agree - don't do that. What if he falls and breaks his hip or worse while you're getting him up the stairs? Speak to the physio and ask if he can even do stairs, and if so how many - and if not, ask them for advice, they're great at problem solving issues like this.

  • Jcww on 31/07/2019 - 09:44
    +3

    Let me preface with I understand the following may sound harsh, but it’s not. Just very forward and hoping to shock some sense.

    I’m not quite sure how you thought an ambulance (as in emergency 000 with paramedics) could ever have been appropriate to take him home.

    Would you be happy to pay $600 for it?

    And know that one of the 10-15 ambulances in the region are unable to respond to emergencies (ie. drownings, cardiac arrest, life threatening scenes) and be ok with that?

    I sure as shit was pissed off when I waited 30 minutes doing cpr on my grandma (because the crew were stuck with someone who cut their toe!!!!!!). The station was 900m away, but no one there because of rubbish calls.

    You do know that for example Sydney has 4 areas (north south east and west). Each area has a similar number of available ambulances, 10-15. Maybe 20 (sometimes but unlikely). These areas cover from half way to Wollongong, to the base of the mountains, to the Hawkesbury river (and beyond), providing service to MILLIONS of people. It is a very finite and short supplied resource. Your convenience is not a reason to use one.

    And were you expecting him to be carried or walked up? If walked up, why can’t anyone do it? Do they not know anyone within cooee of where they live that can even just meet him at the bottom of the stairs and walk up with him? Seriously? There is always someone if you look, but it’s easier not to. If he needs a career 24/7, as a minimum you could have organised respite care for the duration of your trip. It does sound like he needs to be in a care facility and not in an apartment a long way from ground floor.

    I understand your pop was sick. He is better now, take joy from that. But try to remember that one person in a bed for one day is another who has to wait a day to get one, it really is that simple.

    • funnysht on 31/07/2019 - 09:46
      +1

      agree completely. in a perfect world no one has to wait, in our world, the waiting needs to be done by non urgent cases.

    • tempura on 31/07/2019 - 09:47
      +2

      I’m not quite sure how you thought an ambulance (as in emergency 000 with paramedics) could ever have been appropriate to take him home.

      as much as I appreciate your long winded comment, let's stop here; when did i ever suggest that i plan to take ambulance trip on the discharge day?
      do you even think that 000 dispatch officer will let Ambulance take my granpa on the discharge day? the answer is no, they will not qualify that.

      • Jcww on 31/07/2019 - 09:54
        +1

        It seemed implied by the last question. At least that you had considered the idea. Clearly It’s a touchy point for me. And you are absolutely right, the dispatch people would absolutely not allow it.

      • funnysht on 31/07/2019 - 10:44

        the issue isnt about finding transport- the hospital will def give a taxi voucher if that's the case. It's more about someone being available to accept your grandpa. i.e you. or some other close relative or close family friend.

    • syousef on 31/07/2019 - 10:25
      +2

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales_Ambulance

      "NSW Ambulance employs more than 4,500 staff (with over 90% involved in frontline operations),[1] who operate over 1000 response vehicles from 226 locations across the state"

      Are you sure about your numbers? Your general argument is fine, though the tone is rather harsh. People are forgetting that without family trying to find alternatives these elderly people would be spending a lot more time in hospital. OP is not selfish.

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