Wife brought to the hospital in ambulance. No beds available so she was released to my care

[Kaleva]

It's been a hectic couple of days.

While in the ER, the doctor was calling other hospitals but none had beds available. The local, rural hospital doesn't have the facilities to treat her and in a discussion with the doctor, it was decided to release her late that night to my care after it was sure she was stabilized as staying there in the hospital would be no different then being at home where she'd be more comfortable.

As long as my wife can remain stable, she'll have to be treated outpatient as it appears there is no chance for in patient treatment.

COVID19 and especially those who aren't vaccinated are not just affecting those with COVID, they are affecting all people who need medical care.

This is the new norm.

My situation isn't as hard as it may be for others in similar circumstances as I've been caring for my wife of over 15 years and she's had many rides in an ambulance but she's always been able to be transferred to a larger hospital that has the facilities to treat her. Not this time though.

Edit; I post this to give folks a heads up that if they or a loved one have to go to a hospitable for an emergency, the care one may expect in normal times may not be there now.

[LoisB]

1. Sad situation. I hope your wife remains stable. Maybe they should start sending uvaccinated

Covid patients home.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. I am so sorry!

This is a completely unacceptable - and avoidable - situation in this country. Not to mention dangerous! Lives are at stake and getting vaccinated is not a personal choice! On MSNBC tonight there was a pundit who compared refusing to get vaccinated to drunk driving, said that's a personal choice, too!

[tiptonic]

3. Seperate Hospitals

Hospitals for vaccinated people and hospitals for non-vaccinated people. That should take care of the problem. Let the non-vaccinated families, take care of there own kin. That way they don't, have to worry about being 'murdered', by the doctors.

[MaryMagdaline]

4. So sorry for you and your wife

It is so exhausting to be the caregiver. These anti-vaxxers are exhausting all of us.
Sleep when you can.

[KT2000]

5. Nephew was in the ER for three days

because of no beds in Boise hospitals that treat heart issues. Finally a cardia doctor agreed to go to the hospital my nephew was in to implant a defibrillator. Idaho is pretty anti-vax and Boise takes patients from N. Nevada and Eastern Oregon - more anti-vax folks. He was able to return to his home in Washington.

[Rhiannon12866]

8. I am so sorry, the unvaccinated are causing serious cases to be dangerously postponed

The vaccine needs to be mandated just like the ones for polio and other deadly diseases. So glad to hear that your nephew was able to get treatment.

[Kaleva]

32. Those doctors and nurses who go the extra mile to help are amazing!

[KT2000]

36. Can you imagine

the doctors and nurses working the ER that was also housing patients that had no beds elsewhere. They did well by my nephew that's for sure. The anti-vaxxers are another story though.

[Solly Mack]

6. I am so sorry.

It's a gut punch.

[RestoreAmerica2020]

7. This is shocking. I hope your wife gets well soon. Take care.

Paz.

[Fritz Walter]

9. Sending positive, hopeful vibes your way!

I truly hope that your beloved wife recovers. Quickly.

Your last point is the reality check for everybody.

Sadly -- and maddeningly --this is happening in many places. In big cities as well as rural communities. And is likely to continue as long as this surge lasts, possibly beyond.

[malaise]

10. What a mess

[marble falls]

11. Same situation in my town. And it's not being talked about, not in the papers. Nothing.

[2naSalit]

12. Idaho and Montana are at this stage too...

With governors who refuse to be helpful and are catering to the unvaxxed.

If you come to the northern Rockies, don't get sick or hurt, you'll be SOL for any medical help.

[niyad]

13. Sending vibes for healing and strength. You know that your DU family will be holding

you both in light.

[Wicked Blue]

14. I hope your wife gets better quickly

[empedocles]

15. I feel the ache

[hamsterjill]

16. Sending light and love.

I'm so sorry. I hope things turn toward the positive very quickly. Please remember to take care of yourself as you take care of her. You are no good to her if you crumble from exhaustion, etc. I'm sure she knows she is lucky to have you caring for her and I sincerely hope that the home atmosphere of comfort and familiarity will benefit her.

What is happening in this country is just unbelievable.

[kpete]

17. Kaleva, your post hits me hard

mr pete has idiopathic pancreatitis. It is quite painful and his organs can deteriorate without hospital intervention.
We have spent much of the last 2 weeks in er's and hospitals.
The wait when you have a loved one in pain is AWFUL!!!
They sat mr pete in a hallway for hours where he watched a woman give birth on the floor.
When I complained to a nurse that I feared for mr pete who was in pain - she replied: "Everybody here is in pain lady"
mr pete is home now and I am a good nurse. He will get better, but who knows when this will happen again
It's a nightmare to need intensive medical care right now
DON'T GET SICK

[mountain grammy]

35. Oh wow.. I'm so sorry.

and a woman giving birth on the floor of an ER waiting room.. holy crap!

Good to hear mr pete got through the worst of it.. such a serious, painful and life threatening event that it is.
Thank goodness you're a good nurse.

This is outrageous and should not be happening.

[Wingus Dingus]

18. Good luck to you guys, hope she can get the care she needs.

[sheshe2]

19. Sending healing vibes to your wife.

Please take care of yourself as well.

[MLAA]

20. Sending love

[electric_blue68]

21. So terrible! )))))Healing Vibes((((( to your wife. Strength to you.

[Fla Dem]

22. Terrible situation. Hope your wife continues to do well.

[LittleGirl]

23. I'm so sorry. Cyber hugs sent your way. eom

[The Jungle 1]

24. The un vaccinated should not be allowed in the hospital.

[calimary]

30. This!

[onecaliberal]

25. Healing vibes to your wife.

Hugs.

[New Haven]

26. why is there no location identified here in the OP

there is a deficiency in our procedures with posts made with no idea where the event is happening ----is thee a resolution

[Sgent]

27. What the doctor couldn't (by law) tell you

is that if you show up to another hospital then they are responsible for treatment, but they don't have to accept a transfer. I don't know the issue, but I would probably drive to the nearest academic (or at least big) hospital and either take her to their ER or get a hotel room nearby if she is stable.

[Kaleva]

28. ER's can't provide her with the care she needs. They can stabilize her but that's about it.

But we have done in the past what you've suggested. I've driven my wife to the hospital she normally goes to for treatment and she's admitted to the ER but we were told by her doctor there ahead of time that there is a bed available.

This time I couldn't drive her the 100 plus miles to the hospital she usually goes to and she needed immediate attention by trained paramedics.

[Sgent]

33. Yea its a tough situation

Local ER can only stabilize and doesn't have the facilities / staff to treat.

Big Hospital gives priority to all of their ER patients before they accept any transfers from another hospital (even an otherwise established patient). They are required to take care of their ER patients to the best of their abilities but can refuse transfers for patients that aren't admitted / in their ER.

If it's an option, I would drive the 100 miles and get a hotel room near the hospital, with the plan of going to Big hospital ER if things take a downturn.

Best of luck to the best of you!

[Kaleva]

29. Thanks to all for the well wishes and rec's!

My wife is sleeping comfortably now and I'm taking a break at my favorite go-to place for almost everything. DU.

[calimary]

31. Good to hear.

Thank you for keeping us updated!

[mountain grammy]

34. So sorry you're in this situation..

just hope your wife remains stable and comfortable. I'll be keeping good thoughts for you and for her.

[Bluethroughu]

37. I'm sorry your wife couldn't be treated in house

Because a bunch of selfish people cling to lies over reality.

I hope your wife gets well soon.

[ismnotwasm]

38. I am a nurse in a hospital and I am chronically exhausted. It's awful

We run at 130% capacity which means we are boarding people in every nook and cranny. I’m in Seattle, and we are doing ok covid wise but hospitals affect one another. This is insane.

[Kaleva]

39. My qife saw a pic on Facebook of a cousin who is a nurse in Green Bay

She looked like she was ready to drop.