Sigmoidoscopy nightmare.
On March 2nd I had a rigid sigmoidoscopy performed on me at the out patients ward at my local hospital. I found this procedure to be very painful. It was then decided that I would undergo a flexible sigmoidoscopy , and owing to a cancellation I was booked in for the following day .
March 3rd
I checked in to the hospital for a flexible sigmoidoscopy procedure.
(camera on the end of a tube inserted into back passage/bowel) At the pre-op interview, I was informed that the procedure would be carried out with no sedation. This caused me great concern and anxiety, owing to the experience I had endured the day before. I informed the nurse about my concerns relating to this. She then assured me that the flexi-sigmoid would be a lot less painful. The hospital pamphlet I was issued with before the op clearly states that if needed, sedation would be administered.
When I was lying on the operating trolley, just before the start of the op , I mentioned to the consultant about the pain I had endured the previous day. She replied \"oh he's been knocking you about then.\" As the procedure started, I had to put up with inappropriate comments about my first name. When the consultant started to withdraw the sigmoid scope,(from my back passage/bowel ) it became increasingly painful for me. In an attempt to control the pain I started to take deep breaths. Within a few seconds the consultant and the practitioner (O.D.P) were saying out loud \"deep breath push\" referring to giving birth. The consultant then said \" there is nothing coming out of your vagina\" This was followed by loud laughter. At this stage I was feeling dreadful, in excruciating pain that was totally ignored, and being made to be an object of ridicule. The practitioner then said \" only a lot of old rope\" ( referring to the sigmoid scope being withdrawn ) The consultant then said \"old bloke \" The practitioner then said \" old rope from an old bloke\" . I had to endure more disgusting and degrading comments before the op had finished.
This whole episode caused me to suffer a lot of stress. I later reported the matter to the hospital authorities, and an investigation was carried out. A disciplinary procedure took place, however, because of the regulations I was not allowed to know the type of reprimand that they received. All along I had been demanding a face to face apology from both of them.
On the 1st July 2009 a meeting was arranged at the hospital. Those present were: Senior Nurse. - Customer Relations Manager - First line Manager - Consultant/ endoscopist - O.D.P (operating department practitioner) and myself.
The meeting was very disappointing because they would only admit to the less serious allegations ( about my name) and totally denied the rest of it. Because of this denial I have decided to submit this review. I genuinely believe that this could happen again and because this is a very undignified procedure, some people would feel too embarrassed or traumatised to complain.
I have been a patient at this hospital on various occasions and have been impressed with their high standards. So it beggars belief that amongst these good caring professional people, there are individuals who by their disgusting behaviour, are a disgrace to their profession.