Melissa Aragon

Review of Sharp Chula Vista Medical Cent...

Throughout the last 5 years or so, my father has b...

Throughout the last 5 years or so, my father has been admitted several times per year, recently being diagnosed with cancer that has spread and is at this point un-treatable. First off, I am taken back at the fact that it has gotten to this point, when many times and probably even some of the ailments that caused his admission were overlooked and not linked to the cancer diagnosis.

Furthermore, being in his final stage of life, we had an emergency yesterday that cause him to go into the ER, where we waited 4 hours, just to be seen by the doctor for one minute "literally." He requested nausea meds a good 1.5 hrs. before being released and pain meds right before being released. The nausea meds weren't given until he was being discharged and only because I requested again; that he needed it before traveling home.
The pain meds were not given because he was offered Vicodin , which aggravates his stomach and symptoms of his cancer, so he had to wait to get home for pain management, furthermore; he also requested nausea medication, which was given right before we left, also after waiting a good 1.5 hrs. His blood pressure had also gone up, probably due to pain, before discharge.
To add assault to injury, when he needed to use the restroom, it took the nurse so long to come in, I had to find the urinal container in the drawer to help my father because he was still attached to all the wires, the nurse came in a good 15-20 minutes later.

He was sent home just to have to return today with a scheduled procedure at 8 am through the ER, which we arrived at 7:30 am for safe measure. At 11 am, he still hasn't even gotten into the OR which will cause significant snags in his schedule for the day, such as radiation, which he may not receive today due to the lack of concern, apparently; other critical cases take priority and he is sent to the back of the bus.

I feel almost as if he has become invisible to the system due to (quite possibly being overlooked several times throughout the years). Although, he is at the end stage of existence, my family is doing all the can to not increase his suffering. It would be nice if the healthcare system would also do their part, which in the two events specifically, they have fallen extremely short of that bar.

It is very disappointing with his treatment here and the level of care he has had the last few days. The support system that I would hope helps to elevate loss of hope and frustration has only proven to make it worse....It is a bitter shame and whatever the reasoning behind this madness, eventually we all have to take ownership for our ethics, decisions and moral!