Barred from hospital for being autistic

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Joined: 6 Apr 2009
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01 Nov 2010, 4:26 pm

Complain to the ombudsman if there is one. And talk to the media and see a lawyer. That's f*****g disgraceful. You might have died.

I'm sorry you were treated like a piece of trash instead of a human.

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lelia
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01 Nov 2010, 4:31 pm

DWamom is probably right. I was just so outraged when I read your post.

DW_a_mom
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01 Nov 2010, 7:15 pm

lelia wrote:

DWamom is probably right. I was just so outraged when I read your post.

And properly so! I do hope she is able to get some action to prevent this from happening again.

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Mom to an amazing young adult AS son, plus an also amazing non-AS daughter. Most likely part of the "Broader Autism Phenotype" (some traits).

ninszot
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01 Nov 2010, 7:24 pm

I sent an email to a calgary law firm that deals with personal injury.
I will see what they say - perhaps a carefully prepared complaint (run it by the lawyer befor sending) then sue them if he will do it on spec - perhaps see what the lawyer thinks about media :wink:

I don't have the nurse's name - she did not identify herself and when I called today the hospital would not tell me who was on shift at that time. I may need a lawer to get that information out of them in order to place a complaint.

Maolcolm
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01 Nov 2010, 7:40 pm

Would you or your partner recognize the nurse if you saw her again? It might be worth trying to identify her.

I really hate hearing stories of gross injustice like this and can't bear to think of it going unpunished, if only so that this person learns NEVER to do that to anyone in your position again.

I really hope you won't just let it lie and do take this further. I wish there was something I - or we - could do.

If you have an email address or can get one, such as to a hospital administrator, perhaps if several of us emailed expressing our disgust at this incident then perhaps Hospital Admin will deal with it and contact you to cooperate in having this matter dealt with. I'd be happy to do that if it would help, as would others, I'm sure. Hospitals usually don't like bad press and if they realize that people on the spectrum from various parts of the world have heard of this and are angry they are likely to try to deal with it - and that nurse - pretty quickly, IMO.

I'm exactly like you, when ill or under stress I can't communicate and need someone to 'translate' for me.

Last edited by Maolcolm on 01 Nov 2010, 7:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.

DW_a_mom
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01 Nov 2010, 7:40 pm

ninszot wrote:

I don't have the nurse's name - she did not identify herself and when I called today the hospital would not tell me who was on shift at that time. I may need a lawer to get that information out of them in order to place a complaint.

Not my favored route (lawsuits drive up the cost of health care for everyone), but you have to do what you think is best. Good luck in getting the situation resolved.

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Mom to an amazing young adult AS son, plus an also amazing non-AS daughter. Most likely part of the "Broader Autism Phenotype" (some traits).

Tory_canuck
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01 Nov 2010, 8:26 pm

ninszot wrote:

I went to emergency severley dehydrated,
when I requested my fiance come back with me to speak with the doctor they refused.
I explained that because of my autism I frequently had difficulty communicating with doctors and required his help to communcate effectivly, they refused, I insisted this was necessary - my partner also spoke up to conferm what I was trying to say - they refused to speak to him and refused to admit me if I needed him with me.
When I turned to leave the triage nurse gave a BIG smile and thumbs up, said "Good! Leave."
I had a melt down - threw my drink on the floor and shouted on my way out, then colapsed on a bench crying - she followed after us ridiculing me saying "That was very dramatic!" then sent security to tell me (by this time I could not form full sentances) that if I don't play the "game" I don't get help and that I was no longer welcome at this hospital!

Life and death situations are a game to these people ???

So I express I am autistic and what my communication needs are - and am refused admitance due to my communication needs . . . past experience tells me that I do not have the theory of mind to know what parts the doctors need to know - then display the emotional regulation of an 11 year old (well big surprise - the highly socially sophisticated NT with training in autism knew just how to push my buttons and bait me into a melt down so she could refuse care to the autistic) Then when I act like an autistic I get banned from the hospital (while in critical condition)

When I got home and called the community health number they told me that based on my symptoms if I didn't get into a hospital within a few hours I MIGHT HAVE DIED!

2 1/2 hrs later I was admitted at a different hospital - who were happy to get the extra input from my partner, which helped them assess the seriousness of the situation . . . they rushed me through a busy emergency waiting room in under 10 minutes and had me on an IV right away. When I got there I was exibiting early signs of circulatory shock, dizzyness, staggering, mumbeling, had not peed in almost 24 hrs (which is really bad). I was diagnosed with hyper emisis, a life threatening complication of pregnancy, and given medication by IV.

If anybody here lives in Calgary Alberta - stay away from Rockyview General Hospital!! !

A hospital is run under the province and therefore falls under government regulations thus making that a charter violation. You can probably pursue court action.This sounds like a cause of action for litigation.

Also, I suggest you go here

http://www.seniors.alberta.ca/opg/guard ... ported.asp

Forms and information on supported decison making with respect to the Alberta Guardianship and Trusteeship Act

http://www.seniors.alberta.ca/opg/guard ... cision.asp

Co decision maker forms and information

if you fill these forms out with your husband and register them with the government, then you will be fully covered legally next time. With supported decision making, you have the final say but your husband can be with you to help you communicate. With the Co decision making forms, your husband can make a decision in a situation where you are having a meltdown and can't decide on your own. The links provide more information on each of the options. I have training with respect to dealing with these forms so if you have any further questions, just PM me. You can also ask your lawyer for more information.

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Ravenclawgurl
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01 Nov 2010, 10:02 pm

lelia wrote:

DWamom is probably right. I was just so outraged when I read your post.

we all were

Gummie
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01 Nov 2010, 10:24 pm

Ravenclawgurl wrote:

lelia wrote:

DWamom is probably right. I was just so outraged when I read your post.

we all were

hear, hear

zer0netgain
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02 Nov 2010, 6:25 am

lelia wrote:

This needs to go to a newspaper and hospital review board!! !! !! Most hospitals have an ombudsman. Contact that person.

+1

That's pretty much malpractice, and the staff should know better.

ninszot
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04 Nov 2010, 4:16 am

Well I talked to a lawyer and she said that though what happened was horrible - I will not find a lawyer to try this case because in the end I did get in to a different hospital and lived with no perminant injuries so it won't be "worth it" to go to court.

ninszot
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04 Nov 2010, 4:53 am

Conclusion :

Autistics are not entiltled to health care - our symptoms may render us unable to "play the game"
so we "don't get help"

Apparently I am too disabled to access hospital care - ironic? or just very very sad.

MotherKnowsBest
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04 Nov 2010, 4:59 am

Do you have some sort of discrimination ombudsman in your country who will take the issue up for you?

wavefreak58
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04 Nov 2010, 6:29 am

ninszot wrote:

This does not surprise me. No big check at the end of it so no personal injury lawyer will be interested. Bringing a formal complaint to the hospital administration might be something worth doing. Perhaps this person has other complaints against them and a complaint might help the hospital in a disciplinary action. If you were treated this badly, it seems likely that others have been as well. You might save a life by filing a formal grievance,

mgran
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04 Nov 2010, 6:34 am

You might not be able to get a lawyer to take it, but I'm certain that the local newspaper would run with that story. In which case the hospital would have to launch an internal investigation, and the nurse concerned would end up with a blot on her record.

It's worth going to the press just for that.

Amajanshi
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04 Nov 2010, 7:04 am

ninszot wrote:

I wonder why you were dehydrated in the first place, but nevertheless THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS BEHAVIOUR ON BEHALF OF THAT IGNORANT MALICIOUS TRIAGE NURSE!! ! :evil:

Thank goodness you're still alive from that ordeal. I don't think we innately possess the ability to counter such malicious NT behaviour, so in future we have to learn "calm" yet stern "NT-appropriate" strategies to deal with them.

You should report that nurse's incompetence to the hospital and furthermore report it to the media.

If possible, seeing that you are officially diagnosed with AS, you could carry a copy of your official diagnosis from your Psychologist or Psychiatrist that outlines the social difficulties that you have. So next time a nurse or a police officer doesn't believe you, show them that document. Some people also wear an ASD medical necklace/bracelet with a few details on it.

As a Medical Student, I shall be making sure that security and the educational staff at my hospital later on shall know of my AS, so any meltdowns are due to someone provoking me intentionally (I've developed enough skills to politely resist meltdowns from sensory overload)...

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