This is the final pages of my letter to my last patient part 4 of 4. This letter in its entirety has clearly identified numerous safety issues without our healthcare system and specifically rehabilitation for neurology and traumatic brain injury patients. Safety is ultimately the concern for all patients and staff. Do healthcare professional overlook obvious symptoms because it is just a “job”? Are patients truly safe?
Neither myself or immediate family ever sought legal action against this facility. I was trying to get well and had no energy to do anything else. In retrospect, if we only knew the long-term consequences and had the proper legal advice with authorities looking out for the innocent the outcome would have been totally different. Maybe, it’s what nurses are expected to put up with and the facility is always right.
braininjuryselfrehabilitation 
Maria Tatham
April 30, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Edie, now I know most of the story of what happened to you in an unsafe environment that did not protect you as a dedicated nurse, trying to do her job in that imperfect place. I’m so sorry for your pain and difficulty — especially the way in which other professionals disbelieved and discredited you! Also too, you’ve shared about your brother — my heart goes out to you about him! Losing a brother is awful.
I seriously believe that the bad things that happened to you were turned to good by the Grace of God as He led you into speaking out about the problems so that others can be protected.
Bless you, friend!
Maria
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
April 30, 2012 at 5:27 pm
Maria, Thank you for reading and understanding this incomprehensible situation. Sad, but I don’t believe my situation is unusual … other’s just can’t speak out! They can’t speak because they are either dead, not well enough, or their careers could be jeopardized. I have been blessed in many ways, with the ongoing support of most immediately family, new and old friends and professionals that have finally listened. God and the power of prayer is ongoing in my daily life. God Bless You, Edie
Maria Tatham
April 30, 2012 at 8:44 pm
Happy for you that you’ve persisted, Edie! Praise Him!
Kathy
May 2, 2012 at 11:53 am
I wasn’t sure where to post this but I wanted your audience to know that although these incidents didn’t lead to a BI, safety was compromised. I’ve worked in long-term health for years (nursing homes). In one incident a 80+ resident grabbed my stethescope at the neck trying to choke me while hitting me with an open hand. Another time a supposedly quadralplegic man spit on me, cursed with the foulist of language, used his arm and swiped his food tray across the room, and tried to assault me and all the other staff. It got to the point where management addressed this by requiring two person care. This guy actually eloped from the facility which at this point they did not have to take him back, BUT THEY DID!!! Why did they take him back, to fill the facility with patients but ultimately for the Money, all at the expense of staff. Every CNA taking care of patients has had sexual advances and inappropiate gestures, but it continues. They continue to be mentally and physically abused. These are just a couple of examples of how things are handled in the nursing facilities, no better than the hospitals.
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
May 2, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Thanks for sharing a few of many incidents you endured. Nurses and healthcare workers should be kept safe. If they are not safe, either are the patients!
wendy
May 7, 2012 at 6:42 pm
It scares me that the safety of healthcare workers is not the most important part of a job.
Not only for the workers, but for the patients who depend on them….who are not abusive.
And those patients, I’m sure, are often abused by other patients.
The whole system is such a mess. Health care facilities need to have more cautionary systems in place!
I’m so sorry this happened to you….and others.
May you always be safe in the future.
w
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
May 7, 2012 at 7:33 pm
All we can do is be aware that these things are happening and take preventative measures. No one wants to be a patient, but patient’s have a right to know what is happening inside our healthcare systems.