Lilikoiluv wrote:I'm so sorry to hear about your parents' accident, Poppy. That's awful. I hope your Dad was able stay the extra night for monitoring.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Lilikoiluv. I really appreciate it.
A friend recommended I appeal the hospital doctor's decision to discharge my step-father. So I told the hospital I was giving them notice that I was appealing their decision to discharge, and that I needed to speak with the appropriate patient relations representative of the hospital to receive instructions of their formal process to appeal. The director of the hospital then overrode their doctor's decision to discharge that day.
Meanwhile my sweet husband was on the phone speaking with the case worker of my parents' insurance company. He persuaded her somehow to transfer my step-father to another hospital, convincing them that Hospital X was ready to discharge my step-father despite his high heart rate and other health issues (and despite the fact that the insurance company had told Hospital X that the insurance company would pay for the third night). So they had an ambulance pick him up in the middle of the night and transfer him to another hospital (Hospital Y), where he stayed for that night and the next. During the time at Hospital Y, the physical therapist also helped him walk (which he hadn't done since the accident). So that really worked out, but it took a lot of effort.
Lilikoiluv wrote:You and your parents should not be having to deal with such things just to receive the best care they need in an already stressful and emotional situation.
That is so true, Lilikoiluv. But this kind of thing happens all the time, where the patients (and their families) are just struggling to keep up with how to get immediate medical help for their injuries, not to mention having to struggle with pain, and their emotional turmoil such as their fears of how life in the future will include new struggles. It's awful, because this is when people are at their most vulnerable.
Lilikoiluv wrote:How is your mom doing? I hope the "serious injuries" are at least injuries that they will fully recover from.
My mom was less injured than my step-father because the drunk driver's car hit the driver side of my parents' car and my step-father was driving. My mother has a deep gash on one hand (the trauma doctor at the first hospital, Hospital X, said it was a "superficial" wound, but when my mother saw her regular doctor, her doctor said it was deep and that one of her tendons was actually exposed!). Her doctor said it was possible if it gets infected that it may not function fully, so we are hoping it doesn't get infected, by trying to keep it clean with new bandages/dressings and prescribed antibiotic cream. My step-father has a broken clavicle, broken sternum, two fractured ribs, and his heart seemed to go into crisis mode, because his heart rate was extremely elevated (he already had a heart condition). We will find out more when he sees a cardiologist and an orthopedic doctor, whether there will long-term consequences. I am struggling with fears that there will be, just because of how old and fragile he already was before the accident.
Lilikoiluv wrote:When my dad was hospitalized, I had the hospital staff train me in how to move him, bathe him, etc. Don't be afraid to ask for such assistance to help ease your worries when your parents are ready to be released. Their insurance may also pay for nurses/aides to come to your home to help as needed when they are released.
This is very helpful. Thanks Lilikoiluv. He was released today. We asked and they gave us some brief instructions. We are definitely communicating with the insurance company to see if we can have them cover partially or entirely, some in-home care. The problem is that it is a slow process (from our perspective) because the insurance company first requires my step-father see his primary care doctor. My brother who they live with was planning to go back to work on Monday, and I don't live that close to them. We are trying to get in-home help at least for Tuesday (it is too late for Monday), so my brother was forced to take off from work again for Monday. We will have to be paying out of pocket until we find out if the insurance company can help cover the cost of in-home care. On Monday, I will be visiting an agency that gives advice and referrals to see if Medi-Cal or Medicare pays for any portion as well.
Lilikoiluv wrote:Sending you and your parents lots of love and positive thoughts and energies.
*hugs*
Aw, thank you so much, Lilikoiluv. Your positive thoughts and hugs are very much appreciated!