Pacemaker Complications, Pocket Revision

I had my pacemaker implanted on July 11th, 2012.  I am a 45 yr old female patient. Because of several nurses not paying attention to my chart and name upon discharge, they discharged me based on another patient’s chart (a 50 yr old male patient).  His discharge papers are part of my permanent chart.

The nurses made my follow up appointment for 7 days when it should have been 14 days. Well my staples were removed and my incision came open and I had a staph infection and was admitted back into the hospital for a week.  I have now been on IV Vancomycin since August 5th, had a Pacemaker Pocket Revision, and a Pikk Line in my arm so I can administer IV meds twice a day at home.  I just had the staples partially removed on Monday and the incision immediately came open again so the Cardiologist nows says he wants to remove the pacemaker and maybe the leads will have to be removed as well.

I am very worried and just dont think the hospital feels they did anything wrong.  Has anyone experienced having to have Pocket Revision and had to still have Pacemaker removed?

14 Comments

appeal

by polrbear - 2012-08-25 01:08:51

If you believe there's an error in your medical records, you have the right to appeal it. While there is not a guarantee that they will change it, if there's something obvious (say, "50 year old man..."), they have an obligation to fix this. Yes, the original will remain part of your medical record, but it would be noted as removed.

However, in case you decide to pursue any legal action against the hospital, it may be a wise move to get a copy of your records before requesting the change. Working in healthcare, I don't encourage people to file a lawsuit--that's your decision, and I hope it is not an action taken lightly. Similarly, it might be worth a chat with an attorney before requesting any change in your medical records, since there were some consequences to this mistake.

I wish you a speedy medical recovery with good results.

Dustin

Go somewhere else

by ILoominatedEKG - 2012-08-25 02:08:19

I am not a fan a lawsuits. My cardio accidently punched a lead through my heart. He's a good guy who did the best he culd, but messed it up a little. No lawsuit will be forthcoming. BUT ANOTHER CARDIO/THORACIC SURGEON IS GOING TO FIX IT!!!

Anybody can make a mistake. Only an idiot would go back to the same guy to see if he makes another one when it's your heart he is playing with. Get healed up from the infection, then go find another cardio guy.

Sorry for being so brash. I can't help it - it's my nature. LOL. I'll say a prayer!

Best wishes - Dave

too much

by Hope - 2012-08-25 08:08:12

Hi! Why, with what you and others in your post have been through, do you even consider continuing the medical care you have received? Just reading your post makes me shudder. I am so sorry for what you have been through. The worst part of bad medical care is sometimes it just keeps on giving ..... health problems that is. Hopeful Heart

thats so wrong

by ohiolaura - 2012-08-25 08:08:32

I am sorry for what youre going thru,thats terrible.
I hope you continue to do better,and get it worked out,just doesnt sound like something that should happen these days.I know most of us are human,and we do error,but from what youve said,the error was of a gigantic size,and now you are the one with the problems,which was not your fault.
Good luck and continued healing..........I hope the hospital does something about this,so it does not happen ever again

errors

by manaman - 2012-08-25 10:08:58

Got any idea what you want to change the name of YOUR NEW hospital too? I don't like las suits but this one I would HAVE to do. I think BEFORE I got another opinion (for your condition) I would get a GOOD attorney team (HOPEFULLY one that is out of town, thus not OWNED by the hospital! YOU did not cause the problem and you should not have to correct it! Bottom line is everyone wants to make BIG BUCKS but noone wants to work (as they are suppose to) to get it. LATE to work and rush out the door at quitting time!!! Anyway, I'm about to get started (and that really would NOT be a good thing).
Do what you have to to get better! Your health/well being, your destiny, your decision!
Blessings!
Cecil

Re:

by LCROWE - 2012-08-25 12:08:11

Actually the hospital did admitt to making mistakes. Will keep updating. Thank you

It seems to me

by ElectricFrank - 2012-08-25 12:08:17

It shouldn't be too hard to pin the error on the hospital when the items in the record are so obviously those of another patient. Who else could be blamed on the error?

Every time we let one of these things slip by we are part of the problem.

frank

Hospital error

by LCROWE - 2012-08-25 12:08:22

Frank,

There also involved 2 other patients. The nurses mixed up 3 charts. I just hope the other 2 patients are without complications. And I hope that my complications are resolved soon.

Hi:)

by Pookie - 2012-08-25 12:08:41

I'm so sorry to hear all that you have been through.

I was 42 when I received my pacemaker and I too had a lot of things go very wrong...but I'm fine now.

I live in Canada but I too found a few things in my medical chart that did not belong to me and I had them removed. I had to go through The College and Physicians of Nova Scotia, but it worked!!!!!! Perhaps you have something similar where you live?

I too had my pocket revised because my pacemaker decided to migrate into my armpit thanks to the doctor not achoring it down - there is a spot where they can sew in a few stitches so the pacemaker won't move ~ unfortunately some doctors forget to do this.

If I were you (and this is just what I think I would do) I would get a 2nd opinion...and possibly get a new cardiologist if you aren't 100% satisfied with what he thinks should be done now. Infections do happen, but hopefully with IV meds will do their job.

And again, unfortunately the hospital is not going to admit that they made any mistakes. Not many do.

I guess my advice would be go for a 2nd opinion and just get this infection gone and get the pacemaker doing what it is meant to do and get on with your life. Easier said than done - for sure. I know you are worried - and rightfully so. Hopefully some of our other members will post their thoughts too.

Take care and please keep us posted?

Pookie

Update

by LCROWE - 2012-08-29 01:08:50

Due to infection not clearing up and incision from Pocket Revision coming open immediately upon removal of staples. I have been scheduled for the Pacemaker to be removed and the Leads to be extracted next week.

UPDATE

by LCROWE - 2012-08-29 12:08:19

The first thing I did when I noticed the mistake was notify Hospital Administrators and requested copy of my complete chart before asking for the corrected changes to be made. I have got 2nd opinion. And have obtained legal counsel due to Hospital lack of action in regards to staff that made errors. It has been nearly 2 months and I have not recieved the response that Ifeel I deserve, instead I had corporate employee yell at me. Just looking for answers but Hospital isnt giving me answers

WOW

by ILoominatedEKG - 2012-08-29 12:08:25

That's pretty extreme. I hope you're having it done in a different hospital than the one that put it in. I'll say a prayer that all goes well and you get rid of the infection.

I'm a little curious as to why they put it in. You must not be dependant on it or they couldn't take it out. Are they going to try another one after you heal?

Keep us informed young lady.

Best wishes - Dave

Reason for Pacemaker

by LCROWE - 2012-08-30 09:08:49

I have Bradycardia that at times caused my heart to pause for 6 seconds, and other legnths of time on occasions. I also have Tachycardia. Because of the Rapid change from Tacyhycardia to Bradycardia I also pass out. Also have extremely low blood pressure at times.

They will be putting new Pacemaker in. I deinitely need the Pacemaker. I will have to be extremely cautious until I get the new Pacemaker. Per the Cardiologist, no driving and I can not go anywhere alone.

Thanks for the prayers

Other options

by ILoominatedEKG - 2012-09-02 05:09:23

The doctor was worrried about pulling the lead that pierced my heart. He thought he might have to put in a temporary PM through veins in my groin to keep me pumping till he fixed the other. As it turned out, my heart cooperated and that wasn't necessary. But a temporary PM may be an option for you until the infection clears up. Not prescribing, just trying to give you a little hope and comfort.

I'll pray God that your infection will clear and your luck with PMs change.

Best wishes - Dave

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