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An unknown black male was admitted into our ICU last night. The information we received prior to his admission was that he was found collapsed outside and was “fitting”. It was immediately classed as a possible “overdose” at the A&E department.
An unknown black male was admitted into our ICU last night. The information we received prior to his admission was that he was found collapsed outside and was “fitting”. It was immediately classed as a possible “overdose” at the A&E department.
Once he was admitted into the ICU, we began doing our regular routine checks. This includes going through the pts property and documenting everything he had on him. While going through his property, we found an EPILEPSY ID card + anti-epileptic meds in his pocket.
For those who have never heard of an epilepsy ID card, here an image:
It tells you (i.e the public) exactly what to do when you find that person collapsed on the street. Unfortunately, he hadn’t documented his name nor his address on the card. So we still had no idea who he was
It tells you (i.e the public) exactly what to do when you find that person collapsed on the street. Unfortunately, he hadn’t documented his name nor his address on the card. So we still had no idea who he was
The staff at A&E handed over to us that he “apparently” was found with a crack pipe. When asked where the so-called pipe was no one seemed to be able to give us (my supervisor and I) an answer. We went through his medical notes and nothing about a crack pipe was documented.
In addition, we were told that he might possibly be an IVDU (intravenous Drug User). When we checked the areas on his body (were IVDUs usually inject drugs) there were no apparent signs of any drug use, nor did we see any scars.
He appeared well-kept and did not appear “dirty”. His hair was in braids and looked clean. Literally no sign present of being an IVDU.
Based on this information, we asked the A&E staff whether they had done toxicology screening. They said: “no”. Again, we were stunned.
Based on this information, we asked the A&E staff whether they had done toxicology screening. They said: “no”. Again, we were stunned.
My supervisor then told them that his primary reason for admission to A&E was due to a so-called “overdose”. Why has nobody considered doing toxicology screening? I eventually had to do it and had send the samples to the lab.
On top of that, nobody at A&E checked his pockets.
On top of that, nobody at A&E checked his pockets.
If they did, they would have known that he had epilepsy.
We believe that they didn’t even check his skin. Otherwise they would have known that he had no needle marks on his body. Their reasoning was: “he was difficult to cannulate.”
We believe that they didn’t even check his skin. Otherwise they would have known that he had no needle marks on his body. Their reasoning was: “he was difficult to cannulate.”
My supervisor and I looked at each other and she literally said: “he is very dark skin, you can’t see a vein, that is why!”
All these assumptions were merely baseless assertions. All based on implicit and perhaps even on explicit racial bias...
All these assumptions were merely baseless assertions. All based on implicit and perhaps even on explicit racial bias...
Expressed by the very people meant to look after their pts.
Because of the information provided by the staff at A&E, some staff on our ICU started saying things such as: “glad I’m not working tomorrow when they wake him up. I bet he will be very aggressive.”
Because of the information provided by the staff at A&E, some staff on our ICU started saying things such as: “glad I’m not working tomorrow when they wake him up. I bet he will be very aggressive.”
They don’t even know this man.
Honestly, this whole experience made me sick to my stomach. To display these behaviours in front of their BLACK colleagues shows that a lot of black people working in healthcare just tolerate their racists remarks. Why? Could it be that...
Honestly, this whole experience made me sick to my stomach. To display these behaviours in front of their BLACK colleagues shows that a lot of black people working in healthcare just tolerate their racists remarks. Why? Could it be that...
research has shown that whistleblowers within healthcare settings end up getting bullied by their management/fellow co-workers? Perhaps they are in fear of losing their job? Who knows.
You might wonder why I’m sharing this:
— if you see someone collapse and fit on the street make sure to check their pockets. They might be epileptic.
— I know I have mutuals that are medical/healthcare professionals. Please challenge the racist attitudes of your colleagues.
— if you see someone collapse and fit on the street make sure to check their pockets. They might be epileptic.
— I know I have mutuals that are medical/healthcare professionals. Please challenge the racist attitudes of your colleagues.
And report this!
Due to the racist attitudes displayed by the A&E staff, the the right care was delayed (i.e. he was not given his epileptic drugs until we detected his epilepsy ID card).
Both my supervisor and I will be reporting this.
Due to the racist attitudes displayed by the A&E staff, the the right care was delayed (i.e. he was not given his epileptic drugs until we detected his epilepsy ID card).
Both my supervisor and I will be reporting this.
