Normal practice following OD??

Question

I was recently hospitalized after a paracetamol OD and was treated with a drug called 'Parvolex', which I was told was used to reverse the effects of the paracetamol in my system. Although I was medically and (apparently) psychiatrically cleared, I was discharged from hospital within 24 hrs of presenting at ED, even though I stated to the pscych that evaluated me I felt unsafe to return home. Does anyone else find this even midly unprofessional??

Has anyone else had an expereice within the QLD Public Health System that has made their blood boil?? I understand that they are poorly understaffed, however, isn't it their job to provide the correct medical care to thieir paitents?? It is frustrating to me that they were unable to provide me with the care I needed, as there were insufficent beds available, and released me back into the community telling me that it was my choice if I chose to OD again.

Something needs to be done before a real crisis begins!

What sux even more is that my Case Manager was away for 3 weeks and supposed to be back today. I got a call from my interim CM (who, I might add had not contacted me in the 3 wks my normal CM was away) telling me my CM had extended her leave for another week and won't be back until next week!!! This just makes it even harder for me to seek help when I'm in crisis...

Answer 1

Did they schedule you for a follow-up appointment with a psychiatrist or other mental health professional? If you are feeling suicidal, please go back to the hospital and tell them that you are in crisis.

To answer your question, it is not standard practice (at least not in my state) to release someone who had purposely OD'd within 24 hours.

Answer 2

I believe that Mrs. St. Evens is correct, and I think that I saw this done on Nanny 911. I don't think spanking or screaming accomplishes anything. You should also try to remain calm, and be firm and consistent in your punishments, warn him, and give him a chance to correct his behavior before you punish him. The punishment should fit the crime and also needs to be more immediate at that age so that the child clearly understands why he is being punished. For example, if you are mad and threaten to take all of his toys away for a week because he didn't come when called, that is overly harsh and you'll probably end up backing down after you realize this. But if he gets an immediate 5 minute time out after he doesn't come when you say 1..., 2..., 3, he'll connect the punishment to his bad behavior - they say 1 minute per year of age, so maybe a 4 minute time out is better. I'm not sure if this is appropriate, but maybe you should force him to behave during his timeout or it doesn't count - so if he is fighting and cursing, that doesn't count and he should not be released from his timeout until he is quiet for 4 minutes. Perhaps after he learns how to take his timeout without a problem you can reward him with a cookie - but you also don't want to do this very often (maybe just the first time), because he is supposed to behave and that might encourage him to misbehave to get a cookie after his timeout. You also need to stress that you love him, and you need to reward him sometimes when he behaves and does good things. Maybe his little brother is getting a lot of attention and he is jealous, and you need to make more of an effort to give him more attention as well.

Answer 3

Wow! that sucks! Unfortunately it seems common almost every where I look... nationwide. understaffed, overworked, not enough money, burnt out workers etc.. And then they arent able to adaquately provide the help the people need. Its not fair.
I have to commend you for being honest though and I am sorry to hear they were less then accomodating. The united way may have more low cost/free resources to help... the number over here is 211 i think. you may want to check into it.
Good luck!