R Hedges

Review of Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Af...

I am the wife of a service-connected disabled USMC...

I am the wife of a service-connected disabled USMC Veteran. I m also a former (due to care of my spouse) medical health care professional. I am well experienced in both sides of patient care. I can say many of the various staff members are polite, friendly & knowledgeable, however, it s those staff members who lack professionalism & lack of respect which tear down the efforts & presence of what this hospital was meant to represent in all facets.

In more depth, I can attest how I ve yet to witness my husband being treated as a whole patient . As he suffers both physical & PTSD issues, this medical center, as a whole, fails him miserably; if admitted for mental health while coincidentally enduring a very painfully, crippling gout (knee) attack, he is left without any medication regimen much less pain control (this is taking place this minute) for this physical issue.

It seems counterproductive given how pain can exasserbate or even trigger further mental and physical complications. As we speak, he is admitted on the 6th floor & I am concerned for his safety. I have received his calls begging, in tears, for me to do something to help him. It is my assertion more harm is being done to his well being at this rate. When I am present, if I attempt to convey information about his circumstance, I am quickly snapped at ( the Veteran can speak for himself ) & ignored. Sadly, this makes staff member follow-up calls directed at me impossible to take seriously, no matter their seemingly genuine interest. By the time the calls start, I m completely disgusted by how his current case began.

Additionally, while his in-patient status is preceded by very stressful turmoil for both of us, each time it has caused further stress and strain. My nights are sleepless while he is there on the 6th floor. During his last stay, he was unreasonably (I continually read every chart note, lab result, etc.) handled and left on the actual hard, cold floor after complaining of chest pain. A staff member even noted their disbelief of his complaint (a big red flag as to standard of care). Three days later he was having emergent open heart surgery. Thankfully, the cardiovascular team took most excellent care of him. Had it been left up to the 6A staff belief system, I have absolutely no doubt I d currently be a widow.

We are most grateful for those staff members and representatives who take pride in their work, are present & accountable (yes, they do exist, I ve had the honor of meeting a few). If not for those individuals, this hospital would be a miserable failure.

As to those staff members who are unprofessional, unfriendly, incompetent & unwilling... I encourage them to read about the career and goals of the hospitals namesake- Dr. Michael E. DeBakey and then ask themselves if he would stand for their name on his payroll. I think not.

No matter the hospital, the department, the Doctor, the terminology, the technician, the administrative clerk, the test or the health condition, I encourage each patient & their chosen caregiver(s) to advocate for themselves/patient as much as they can. Read, READ, ReAd all that can be read about any, ANY, AnY question that comes to mind and then ask, ASK, AsK anybody, everybody until a comfort level is reached. Every patient & their circumstances are unique and very important. Health care can be very taxing for everyone involved, however, there is no excuse for a patient feeling unheard, uncared for, ignored or left with unanswered, answerable questions and proper, Standard of Care. Period.