I found good information regarding this subject. What is alarming to me is how the Insurance Companies work.
My father has a pubic cathader and prostrate issues that will never be corrected. We go to the hospital monthly for infection by ambulance but he will not be admitted unless he has fever. My father doesn't show fever until he is critical.
I am on the second trip in a week for infection. It's so confusing to me because of the damage of the Dementia it caused to find the proper base line.
My dad last week was released Wednesday after Septis and that same night his tempt was bordering fever for two days then fine then next day pressure up and down drowning and not speaking like stroke.
Back in hospital with fluid in chest and threw three antibodics at him. I'm pretty sure they don't know what they are treating and it's scary it takes so long to get a positive result. Does that mean his treatment for Septis wasn't complete? Now they say they are treating Ecoli. What does that mean?
His heart took a hit this time. Problems swallowing yesterday.
After this does organs die or fail ? So confused.
Do you change out his bags daily? Keep the site of the tubing coming out of his skin clean and dry. Wipe the plastic connector down with an alcohol wipe. Wash the tubing gently with warm soapy water. All of these things can cut down on the chance of infection. Catheter care isn't a sterile procedure but you should be wearing gloves while you care for the catheter.
Your dad may just be prone to infection. And while they may not admit him without a fever they should still treat the infection in the ER.
E. Coli is a bacteria we normally carry in our GI tract but it infects people when they come into contact with feces of humans or animals. It can also cause UTI's. The symptoms are like a bad stomach flu.
If your dad is getting infections the Dr. needs to figure out what the problem is because there is a problem. While your dad's at risk because he has a supra pubic catheter he still shouldn't be getting so many infections.
My Fathers cathader gets changed every three weeks to prevent infection. This is the second time in the blood and had two hospital stays in a matter of two weeks.
I'm not convinced we will come out of this 100% this time. He's just not right. Temperature up and down. Yesterday he was out of it the entire day and today awake but being difficult.
What bothers me so much is because my father has a pension he doesn't get any support for his care and I pay out of pocket $900 a week and have to wait till we are at 17,000 total to get any help.
My father is tired and I cannot continue to stress him out constantly dragging him to the hospital and him being alone with the staff not communicating to me his condition as power of attorney.
It's frustrating to me to have to always be in fight mode to protect him.
My heart goes out to the people that are alone in this system with no support.
I'm holding back now with stressing him out and want him here and at peace. My concern is having him suffer a painful death but I am trusting in God.
The last comment about pulling the catheter would take my dad out in a matter of an hour.
He has an enlarged prostrate and is unable to urinate on his own. That is why I have it in the first place.
I can't get support until my fathers accounts are under 17,000. He has IRA's.
I will research my options.
That advise was not appropriate. Clearly not the best advise.
Now I get a call today from Nurse that Physician on Call service is gone. Scary world or loved ones live in.
Scrabbled by numbers for new Dr. Without any research but now I will ask for Hospise and clear the accounts to have my Dad rest in peace.
Thanks again, for the good info.
Dad has been Septis twice and is still kicking. I am aware his body can't take much more and I'm ok with just peace.
Thank you for your kindness! I am with you if it was me I pray to take me and I will go gracefully.
My Dad on the other hand is a protector and has a hard time letting go.
My two sisters took off three years ago and left him because they couldn't handle it.
I am a good Daughter and finally I am able to take that pat on the back so thank you!
I will get him the support and when he's ready he will go. I will be at peace for him and myself.
Thanks again for your kind words.
Linda