New medical care...new rules...asinine

[JB White]

Just spent the entire day with my father and his wife. He's well up into his 80's. Partially paralyzed from a stroke and has a pacemaker. They knew his pacemaker was low on battery so he's been monitored for over a month....almost two. Doctor wanted to replace the battery but he couldn't. Technically the battery isn't dead enough. Doc can no longer order a replacement until a techie permits it.

We moved up his next appointment with the Tech who finally approved the replacement. Battery is in reserve/end of life mode after 8 years. Meaning it's working at bare minimum. Doc ordered him admitted to the ER for monitored care and made arrangements for a rush replacement. He's been having many problems and the paramedics have had to pick him up for treatment after several falls these past two weeks alone.

So, what we have is a battery that is damned near dead. Doc can't do jack until someone else says, "Yup, this week it's dead enough". Milking every last millivolt out of it to save money. I wonder if the savings on the battery justifies the costs of all the treatments for injuries and ambulance runs let alone the additional doctors visits and techie scans.

They all knew it was time for a new battery, but the laws says not until certain parameters are met in spite of nearly killing the patient in the meantime. Asinine!

[togor]

Hope he gets through it OK, JB. Has to be frustrating.

[JB White]

Thank you Tog. He should be going under the knife in a couple of hours. They had to wait until his blood numbers came back into spec since he's been taking Warfarin.

[Allen]

My mother had a pacemaker for years. My sister has a pacemaker and has for years. Both have had no problems having the battery replaced and somehow the condition can be monitored over the phone.

Sounds like a lot of BS red tape you are going through needlessly.

Good luck and prayers.

[lyman]

hope the procedure goes without any hiccups,


I am amazed they can make a pacemaker battery that will last 8 yrs, and saddened it takes so much bureaucratic bs to get it replaced

[S.A. Boggs]

Keep us advised.
Sam

[Former Cav]

I could tell you some real horror stories but I don't feel like writing a book. But I am convinced that the va should be CLOSED!
and prayers for your father.

[clintonhater]

They had to wait until his blood numbers came back into spec since he's been taking Warfarin.

Safer & more effective blood thinners are available, but Medicare won't cover them, or didn't 5 yrs ago when I took it for a month, requiring blood testing every 2 or 3 days.

[JB White]

He's home now but the past few days have taken a toll on him. Hopefully he comes around now that he's recharged.

[lyman]

excellent news!

[p246]

Good news, good luck to him.

[blackhawknj]

As with so many government 'regulations", they probably make them up on the spot, and if there are written ones, they've never read them.

[jon_norstog]

This story reminds me of a book my doctor gave me when I lived in Window Rock. It was titled "The Death of Common Sense" and it was about over-regulation and bureaucracy hampering doctors from using their best judgement.


Glad to hear your dad is OK.

jn

[togor]

He's home now but the past few days have taken a toll on him. Hopefully he comes around now that he's recharged.

Hopefully some "dad's got a new battery" jokes going for the holidays.

[JB White]

Dad always has jokes going. Unfortunately for him the humor is lost on those who never wore knickers. Case in point: When the young Asian nurse asked if he had cataracts. "No, but I once had a Rincoln". I swear with God as my witness he said that. Fortunately it appeared to go over her head. I told her "He meant 'no'. He rambles often. Just keep on going."
When she looked back at her clipboard I gave him that 'Shoosh' look and he kept on snickering.