New Haven, CT - Yale New Haven Hospital

[Mary]

Both of my experiences at this hospital (surgical biopsy and humerus resection) involved lack of adequate pain control. When I had the humerus resection, I shared a room on the orthopedic floor with an older lady who had back surgery. We were both in agony most of the time, to the point that our families were very angry. The student nurse who dealt with me made promises that she didn't keep. She told my family that she was going to ask a doctor about increasing my pain meds, but it never happened. One day, I went four hours in the worst pain I can imagine. My mother, a southern belle, completely lost her cool with a nurse and cursed at her. My Christian brother lost his temper and yelled.

My advice is not to allow a student nurse to treat you without another nurse in the room. And make NOISE if you need help. One time, I actually used my mother's cell phone to call over to my surgeon's office. The on-call doctor called me back immediately and couldn't believe I had not been given proper medication. He came over within ten minutes and rectified the problem. Do what you need to do to get good care! Don't shut up if you need something!

My brother wrote a two page letter to the hospital and described our experience in detail. After several months, I received a letter that told me changes had been made to ensure that patients on the orthopedic floor received better care. Nearly two years after my surgery, I called the hospital and spoke with the case worker who had handled my case. I reminded her of who I was, and I told her that a new patient was coming in to have the same surgery I had. I asked her if it was true that changes had been made to make sure that this patient, and others, had better pain management. She told me that "she believed that those changes were in the works." Nearly two years later.