Need Advice ASAP on Removing Infant from Hospital

M.,

I know that what your sister is going through is very scary. Hang in there. I want to tell you though, that some of the things you mentioned...like the IV issue and the "leakage"...that is actually called extravasation...where it doesn't quite get into the vein, or it does and the patient moves around and it becomes dislodged...this is a very common occurence in hospitals. My hubby is a nurse in a very well respected ICU here in Dallas. Now, as for the second opinion...that is always an option. Nothing is more important than the child and your comfort level. You can get any doctor in the city that has priveleges at that facility...and is a pedi doc to come in and look at the child. They can't do anything about it. Good luck, keep us posted!

I had severe complications after giving birth, & I spent 2 months in the hospital. Get a 2nd opinion. Don't worry about hurting anyone's feelings...it's about getting help for that little baby. Be firm.

We were frustrated by my care that we had them call the boss of the hospital (can't remember title). They came to my room that night at almost midnight to find out what's going on. We didn't have any problems after that.

We were in a similar situation with an little one when he was an infant. Have you sister request that he be transfered to another hospital immediately!!! She can request ANY hospital she wishes, perferably a children's hospital, and can even request an ambulance to take her there. She is in no way obligated to keep her daugher in their care, and she needs to follow her gut. We almost lost our little boy at 5 weeks old because of this. Luckly a family member gave me this advice and with in an hour he was transfered to a children's hospital, where he received EXECELLENT care.

She may or may not have this in her, but it is time to get FIRM!! Not mean or nasty, but firm! Ask for an explanation for everything, and require the best person for the job. I had my son in the hospital and we made several requests. I just did not let them tell me what they were going to do! And, for sure get a second and third opinion. Start with her pedi first, if she has not gotten around to one, have her ask around for the best! Find out who makes rounds to that hospital and beg them to come visit that poor baby! There is no reason to just guess with a tiny baby's health. It is hard to know with your first one, but she really needs to be told to trust her first instict..if she is uneasy (not just nervous or scared, that is normal), but feels like she does not trust what is happening, she needs to stand up for herself, and more importantly her little one. I would not move her yet, unless they dont start making mom feel more comfortable, but that could be pretty scary. Is she at a childrens hospital, or just a regular one? Hmm, there is so much she can question, she just has to be brave enough to stand up to the doctor, which is hard because obviously they know more than we do about certain things, but we are the moms, so our instinct has to count too. Blessings to her and your whole family..wish we could do more, as I am sure you do!! ~A.~

check and see if there are any doctors from JOHN's HOPKINS in Baltimore that can come and give an opinion??? that is an awesome hospital//
although the new doctor may unfortunetly need to get more tests done...unsure though.....

She has every right to get a second opinion (and SHOULD). Or, she can request a transfer to another hospital if she's unhappy with the care she is getting at this hospital. If she's not in a children's hospital, she should be! Take you complaints up the chain of command - Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and then CEO/President. Tell her to go sit in the administration office until someone comes to talk to her. And if that doesn't work and she's tried everything, tell her to go to the county health department to complain and even the media to get attention.

Has she simply asked for a second opinion? If she has, and they told her no, then I would talk call her regular pedi and ask about what she should do. If there's a doctor at a different hospital that she wants to see, then she should call them and ask about how to get a second opinion done by them. Maybe even call the insurance company, b/c a most of them have have nursing hotlines or other numbers to call with questions.

I don't have experience with this, that's just what I would start doing. I can't imagine having to sit and watch helplessy while this is happening. My thoughts and prayers go out to your sister.

YOu ABSOLUTELY can get a second opinion from another doctor in that hospital before you think of transfering.Ask for a PICU Specialist or NICU doc to help you out.Dont worry if your doctor gets insulted or upset-u are protecting your child.