NWR - Need Advice from anyone with Medical Background

Hi ladies,

I posted on the '06 board last month that my 38 year old cousin was in the hospital on a respirator and things didn't look good. Things have continued to get worse. He has developed pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia (which according to my google search has a 50% mortality rate) that is resistent to antibiotics, as well as ventilator associated pneumonia.

The hospital now says he needs surgery to remove the pathogens that are causing the bacterial infection (because it's not responding to the antibiotics) but they are not equipped to perform it (he is obese) and he needs to be transferred to another facility. NYU and Mt. Sinai have refused to accept him as a transfer patient.

If anyone has any suggestions as to what we can do or threaten to do that will force another hospital with the capability to perform this surgery to accept him as a patient please post or send me FM. I'm not asking for medical advice, rather I'm asking for practical advice from anyone in the know as to how best to get my cousin transferred so he has a better than 50% chance of survival. The hospital he is in suggested that WE (his family) start doing some work to get him transferred but I don't even know how to begin. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.

Re: NWR - Need Advice from anyone with Medical Background

I wish I had advice for you, but I do have hugs and prayers!

Re: NWR - Need Advice from anyone with Medical Background

Why are the 2 hospitals refusing him? What is the hospital he is staying in rigtht now doing to help you? I would have them involved as much as I could.

Re: NWR - Need Advice from anyone with Medical Background

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Posted by sr081906

Why are the 2 hospitals refusing him? What is the hospital he is staying in rigtht now doing to help you? I would have them involved as much as I could.

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It's not clear why the other hospitals won't accept him as a transfer. (we suspect they don't want the liability) The hospital where he is now told us to try and make phone calls to get him transferred, but offered no advice on what to say or who to call, or anything.

Re: NWR - Need Advice from anyone with Medical Background

Being in the medical field, I suspect that they aren't telling you the whole story. The only thing I can think of is that due to his poor prognosis the other hospitals don't want to take on such a liability. Unfortunately the medical field is very political and you have to play games to get what you want. What you need to do is find a surgeon in another hospital who performs the surgery he needs and that doctor needs to accept him as a patient. From there you will have to possibly wait for a bed which can be awhile as ICU beds tend to fill quickly. I hope this helps, I don't know a lot about transferring patients beyond these basics. What hospital is he in? I'm just curious since I work at a few on the island. Good luck and I'll keep him in my prayers

Re: NWR - Need Advice from anyone with Medical Background

You need to find a doctor at a different facilty to accept him as a patient. If you can do that, your almost guaranteed transfer. The hospital doesn;t accept the patient as a transfer, individual doctors do.

Re: NWR - Need Advice from anyone with Medical Background

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Posted by jax1023

You need to find a doctor at a different facilty to accept him as a patient. If you can do that, your almost guaranteed transfer. The hospital doesn;t accept the patient as a transfer, individual doctors do.

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I also work in the medical field. I agree with the others that tell you find a different doctor. You should also contact his social worker. They have them for you at the hospital and they are the ones who usually help pt's and the families. I have to be brutally honest with you. I work with cancer pt's and I am always honest. Your cousin is on a respirator and has a lung infection that is non responsive to abx. I think you should try to help him as much as you can but I also think you should try to spend time with him and find out what his wishes are. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.