Cara D.
3/12/2009
9:33 AM
14 Posts

Hi Everyone!

Alec recently had hernia surgery at St. Rose Siena, and while they were absolutely BRILLIANT with him--so nice and comforting--they were sorely lacking in any form of warnings about food allergies! We told them a number of times that he had severe food allergies, and when they told him he could have a popsicle after surgery, just to make sure, I asked about the popsicle. They brought one out to me and sure enough, the first sentence I saw began "May contain traces of milk..." I didn't even read the rest, and told them he was severely allergic to milk, and please just give him gatorade or apple juice after the operation. Well, then another nurse came around later, talking to him about the popsicle he was going to get, and we then told her about his allergies, and no popsicle. This happened a few times, and even after the surgery, a different nurse came over with the popsicle to give to him. I don't even want to think about what might have happened if we hadn't gotten there yet, and a nurse just gave him the popsicle!

So just to warn all the parents--always keep aware, even when you think you have told everyone about your child's allergies--if this happened in a hospital, it can happen anywhere.

I intend to write St. Rose and praise them for their treatment, but suggest they better address the growing issue of food allergies.

Hope you all are well:)

Debbie B.
Moderator
3/18/2009
7:51 PM
120 Posts

Sorry to hear Alec had to have surgery! How's he doing?

I have heard similar stories from others (not in town) that hospitals can be a nightmare re: lack of food allergy awareness. Amazing! Thanks for the heads up- all of us can know to be extremely alert if our child needs hospital care!

I’m glad you're going to f/u by writing a letter. I'm glad his care was good other than food allergy wise, but boy, they were close to possibly having anaphylaxis on their hands over a popsicle! Great job intercepting so many times- jeez!
Perhaps in the future some of us can team up and work on increasing FA awareness at area hospitals...

Angela L.
4/1/2009
11:00 PM
2 Posts

In the hospital you need to tell the nurses as well as the doctor and the dietician/nutritionist. They need to write the allergy or food orders as an order that they would write for any medicine. It is important to educate and re-educate....Good for you for continuing to be diligent about his allergies.