12/24/2023
I would like to share what happened w/my husband last March...
He went to CTH with pneumonia, was admitted and released 3 days later. Unfortunately he felt worse with each passing day and I brought him back 3/5 and again he was admitted w/pneumonia.
He was always in good spirits. On Thursday, 5 days after being admitted the nurse was giving him insulin and I asked why. The nurse told me ""we just noticed in his chart that he was diabetic."" I asked "how did that happen?" He replied ""it fell through the cracks.""
Bruce was not insulin dependent. He was scheduled to have a test so I kissed him goodbye at 2PM. Between 3-7PM I called 3x to speak w/his nurse regarding the test results, unfortunately he was never available. Eventually the nurse returned my call @7:20PM to inform me of his test results and added ""by the way, he had a fall."" When I pressed him about it he said ""he's ok.""
At 12:29AM a nurse from ICU called me and after she gave her name she informed me that they were actively giving my husband CPR, I shrieked in shock and said "WHY?" Bruce was perfectly fine when I'd left. Within 2 minutes she was telling me to come to the hospital immediately, have someone else drive and then, ""I'm sorry he just passed away."" Again I yelled "from WHAT?"
She replied "he had 3 falls between 3-6PM and had a massive hemorrhage in his back." How can someone fall out of bed w/rails up and an alarm?
I firmly believe that the high doses of insulin and neglect by the nursing staff led to his falls and sadly, his passing.
WEBMD: Insulin use has been demonstrated to increase the risk of falls in the elderly. Thiazolidinediones increase fracture risk and thus may worsen fall-related outcomes.
Of course CTH is now denying his falls. Absolutely unacceptable
