One of things I have learned to trust is my instincts. Customers have told me hundreds of times over the years that I must be psychic. I don’t believe that it is quite that powerful, but I do sense when patterns are disrupted. I also pay attention to nuances and small details. I never doubted that Mother’s illness was serious. The doctor’s at St. David’s confirmed that she needed to be hospitalized.
Once she was admitted and receiving treatment, I went back to SOS Skilled Nursing Facility (again, a fictitious name) and retrieved all of mother’s belongings. I told them she would not be coming back. I had no idea how long she would be in the hospital, but I planned to use that time to get her accepted into an acute care rehabilitation facility.
When I returned the hospital the next day, I found a sign on the door to Mother’s room stating that the area required face masks, gloves, and protective gown before entering. I was advised that Mother had tested positive for MRSA.* They explained that it was customary for this test to be ordered after someone was admitted from another hospital or skilled nursing facility. It is taken very seriously in hospitals due to the fact that it can spread so easily.
The doctor also said that they were ordering another swallow test. They suspected that the fluid in Mother’s lungs could have come from her aspirating her food and drink (it goes down the wrong path). They also added that she had all kinds of issues that needed to be cleared up that included a third bladder infection, continued hemorrhoids, congestion that had built up in her mouth and throat, bed sores, and cracked skin on her legs and feet.
After a few days, Mother started feeling better; however, the results of her swallow test were not great. She did show a tendency to pocket food on the side of her mouth that suffered from paralysis. She was only correctly swallowing fluids sometimes. This result caused them to come to the conclusion that her pneumonia most likely was brought on by her aspirating her fluids. They ordered her to go back on a modified food plan with only thickened liquids to drink.
I was happy to know that we had answers and that Mom was getting better, but I was furious at SOS Skilled Nursing and blamed them for Mom’s condition. MRSA in itself is very serious and had to be reported. I wrote a letter to the administrator of this skilled nursing hospital and copied it to the liaison at their corporate office and the Texas Department of Aging and Disability (DADS). I listed out all the things that this facility did (or didn’t do) to contribute to my mother’s condition and requested that they do what is necessary to correct the problems before someone else suffers in the same way. I never received a reply from the administrator or their corporate office. I did; however, receive a phone call from a representative at DADS. They assured me that they would open an investigation.
I tell you all this because all these issues that happened occurred even though I was there almost every day. Can you imagine how bad it must be for those residents who do not have someone to look out for their best interest?
The next blog will spell out what happened in the next stage when Mom was ready to be released from the hospital…..
*http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mrsa/basics/definition/con-20024479
