Sickle Cell Disease in the Emergency Room

In recent years I have always wondered how we as a Sickle Cell community can make a sustainable contribution to the things we see again and again. The more I talk to people, the more I realize we're not there yet! There is still so much we need to do as advocates to raise awareness about Sickle Cell Disease.

During a conversation with a group of specialists and other employees of a hospital, I shared my unpleasant experience of the past with the group. At first, I wasn't sure if this was the right time, but I believe there is never a "right time" when you want to share unpleasant experiences.

Not again

Let me take you back to the moment in the emergency department (ED). I was in the ED at the children's hospital with my 11-year-old princess. Due to the latest experiences at the same ED, I decided to start preparations for IV insertion at home. We were unlucky to get the same nurse who had difficulty finding her blood vessels. So this time I made sure (thanks to some training) how to "wake up" the blood vessels so that it is easier to reach.

Her blood vessels looked very nice and you could easily put an IV in them. I was very surprised when I saw her pulling the needle in and out 3 times because she couldn't “find” the vein. At a certain point, the blood started to come out of the IV. My daughter was hurt and also panicked and started to cry. The doctor was in the room as well and they tried to calm her down.

You are hurting my child

At a certain point, the nurse came back to give my daughter the pain meds and I started to explain that I was uncomfortable with the fact that everything (the veins) was ok but that she missed the vein. I mentioned that she hurt my child and asked her how we could prevent this from happening in the future because it's the third time already in this ED that an RN has had issues doing this. And this time her vein was great! She was not happy with my questions and referred me to the doctor. I told her the doctor didn't hurt my child. It was just very frustrating.

Apologies accepted

At the end of the conversation, she apologized. But my question remained unanswered. Why is this happening when we are coming to the ED but not when we are in the hospital or lab? I explained to her that it's traumatizing for my child to get hurt while she is in pain already. Especially when it's not necessary. The conversation was very uncomfortable because I was so disappointed and upset.

I was calm and respectful, don't get me wrong. But I was constantly thinking...how can I prevent this from happening? Am I allowed to ask for another nurse when I need to go back to the ED? Are they going to let my daughter wait longer if I ask for another nurse? I've experienced so many great ED nurses who didn't have a problem with the veins at all.

So I want to make sure this doesn't happen in the future. Don't get me wrong, the nurse was very kind to my child, but being kind was not what I needed at that moment.

A safe place

I told the story to the hospital team and at one point I asked one of the board members the question: Does the team that works in the ED understand that we as parents are consciously looking for a home close to the hospital? If I rent or buy a house, I make sure it is a reasonable distance from the hospital. In other words, your hospital is the center of our family. I count on it that when I come to the hospital my child will receive the best nurse at her bedside and the best treatment.

The conversation went on for a long time! Deep in my heart, I hope that the team realizes that patients come to the hospital for “help” in a safe, warm, and loving environment. Sickle cell awareness must be broadened, because it concerns a number of disciplines in our healthcare sector.

Let's keep sharing our stories and uncomfortable situations because there are still people who want to listen and help!