In Dyersburg hospital with an unidentified blood infection, after a positive culture showed something not recognized by this doctor. After in this hospital for four days, awaiting the culture to grow some more, I saw a different hospitalist. Dr Nnaji’s day off I guess. A Dr Montoya came into see me, perplexed and seemed like he wanted to help. After coming in my room, he asked me to wait three more days for another two cultures, performed at different sites that should exclude which location the bacteria was in, my port, or elsewhere. I was very impressed and appreciated his buying into my case, The next morning, Dr Nnaji came in and said he was discharging me. No reason given. I proceeded to tell him of the plan of Dr Montoya. He then said the culture was in and was negative now, everything was fine. Knowing of the plan by Dr Montoya, I then asked,, ”which culture did he say was clear, and why did the culture give an answer after 24 hours or less? He said he didn't know about a… second culture using two different sights, and left the room, He then came in and said that one was clear as well. He really didn't give a coherent reason as to why the change in plan, and seemed a little put out with me that I would ask. He left the room again. Now he was a little difficult to understand, so he came back in with the nurse on my case that said”Aren’t you glad to he going home ”, and started clapping her hands together as if she was trying to help the doctor”brush me off”. By this time, it was as if the previous days discussion and plan was just got air. So, I was discharged after eight days, and a feeling of confusion as to what happened and why. To make matters worse he discharged me with no Rx for any antibiotics or follow-up plan. I got home and after looking thru my mail, discovered the real reason for discharge. My insurance admission approval was up ”today”, it explained to me all I needed to know, the story given that my culture(s), were now clear, time to go home, and magically the case concluded. I was glad to be home of course, but upset I was given a brushed off reason for discharge, Well, I thought he knew best, he was the doctor, but still not knowing what happened to the plan, I thought, well, I'll just see how I do, and dropped it. Two days later my wife gets a call at her work, explaining the results of the cultures performed by Dr Montoya were back as planned, and they were ”positive”, The doctor further explained that I should bo back to the hospital for some kind of therapy, and to go to Jackson General, the mother ship of all the small hospitals in West TN. There I should see an infectious disease physician right away, and to be admitted thru the ER. I did, and was admitted for another eight days and then sent home with orders for home infusion antibiotic therapy by IV at home, for a total of two weeks antibiotic therapy, that could have gotten started sooner, if I hadn't been sent home by Dr Nnaji. If only he had taken a little extra time that Friday afternoon to get approval for another couple of days from my care could have been carried out just the way Dr Montoya had instructed. But I guess, asking for extra time due to new evidence of a possible further infection, was too bothersome that Friday afternoon. What's worse is allegedly a bunch of malarkey trying to tow the line, so to speak. I am still on antibiotics to this day, five weeks or so since this happened. On a brighter note, I was pleased with the hospital, the nurses and staff, and Dr. Montoya, but have no confidence in Dr. Felix Nnaji. If ever admitted to this hospital again, I will not use Dr. Nnaji, unless I have no choice, but everything he says or orders, I will be scrutinizing carefully.
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