[Chirley]

Hi, I have a horror story too. When I was in hospital earlier this year and had critical neutropenia at the time they put me in a 4 bed ward with one lady who was on antibiotics for an unknown infection that wasn't responding to treatment.

When I asked to be moved I was told that that hospital didn't isolate people with neutropenia. Then just to top it off, the nurses started disconnecting the lines from my port for my shower. I told them that this practice worried me and I would prefer if they didn't keep disconnecting and reconnecting. I also objected to them reconnecting the same lines that had been sitting there with nothing on the end to retain the sterility. I was told I was being obsessive and histrionic! I had not been rude or aggressive and I became REALLY annoyed when I was accused of this.

I asked to speak to the Director of Nursing of the hospital and when he came I told him about the unsafe nursing practice in his hospital. He vehemently denied any problems and walked out on me. I had worked as an Infection Management nurse for 25 years and I think I know unsafe practice when I see it.

I refuse ever to be admitted to that hospital again. I know some nurses and doctors are better at adhering to guidelines than others but when bad practice is condoned by management, it's time to get out of Dodge.

Regards

Chirley