Episode 8 Secret Life of the Hospital Bed


Episode 8

Similar Content

Browse content similar to Episode 8. Check below for episodes and series from the same categories and more!

Transcript


LineFromTo

Hand versus chainsaw.

0:00:020:00:04

It looks painful.

0:00:040:00:06

Our hospitals are taking care of more patients than ever...

0:00:060:00:10

-You all right?

-HE SOBS

0:00:120:00:14

..with medical teams under constant pressure...

0:00:140:00:18

Can Dr Pitzy come to Resus, please?

0:00:180:00:20

Somebody as poorly as this little one,

0:00:200:00:22

we really need to treat them quickly.

0:00:220:00:24

..to meet our expectations.

0:00:240:00:26

I'm just worried about what he's going to be like afterwards.

0:00:260:00:30

But there's a crucial member of the team we sometimes forget...

0:00:300:00:34

I've never been on a bed like this.

0:00:340:00:35

..the hospital bed.

0:00:370:00:39

You're in another ward,

0:00:390:00:40

another story, another bed.

0:00:400:00:42

Argh!

0:00:420:00:44

In our lifetime, we are likely to need one of them

0:00:450:00:48

at least three times.

0:00:480:00:50

I've probably spent a quarter of me life on a hospital bed.

0:00:500:00:54

In this series, our cameras have been given

0:00:540:00:57

unprecedented access to beds in four very different hospitals

0:00:570:01:01

across the country.

0:01:010:01:02

It's life. It's life and death. And everything that goes in between.

0:01:020:01:06

We'll see the world through the beds' eyes...

0:01:070:01:09

Hello, my love, hiya.

0:01:090:01:10

..as they share the most challenging...

0:01:100:01:13

I don't know what to do.

0:01:130:01:15

I don't know.

0:01:150:01:16

-..most intimate...

-It's OK.

-All right.

0:01:160:01:19

I know.

0:01:200:01:22

..and most rewarding...

0:01:220:01:23

Happy birthday!

0:01:230:01:25

Isn't hospital wonderful?

0:01:250:01:27

..moments of our lives.

0:01:270:01:29

-Thank you for being here.

-I'm not going anywhere else.

0:01:290:01:32

The hospital cannot function without beds. Beds are vital.

0:01:320:01:36

This is...

0:01:360:01:40

The city of Newcastle has one of the UK's top paediatric units,

0:01:480:01:53

the Great North Children's Hospital.

0:01:530:01:54

It has a dedicated A&E Department for children up to the age of 16.

0:01:580:02:02

The most critically ill children are brought straight to the Resus area.

0:02:050:02:09

She developed the temperature last night...

0:02:110:02:13

Today, Resus bed two is ready to receive one of its tiniest patients,

0:02:160:02:20

who's struggling to breathe.

0:02:200:02:22

How are we doing?

0:02:220:02:24

A baby in, only about a month old,

0:02:240:02:27

who they've been out to see and they're concerned about.

0:02:270:02:29

Probably a chest infection -

0:02:290:02:30

but little, tiny babies, you've got to be very, very careful.

0:02:300:02:33

Baby Kalvin has been rushed in by ambulance, with his mum, Laura.

0:02:350:02:39

His airways are blocked.

0:02:400:02:43

He's fighting for his life.

0:02:430:02:44

We're just going to have a little look.

0:02:440:02:47

Erm, and how's... Has his breathing been like this all along?

0:02:500:02:54

With him sucking in at the neck and under the chest?

0:02:540:02:57

It was sort of like that at the weekend,

0:02:570:02:59

and then, yesterday, it didn't seem as bad.

0:02:590:03:01

-I took him to the GP yesterday.

-I'll just pop this under the head.

0:03:010:03:04

It was normal because he had been quite wheezy.

0:03:040:03:08

The team working to save Kalvin

0:03:100:03:12

is led by Paediatric Specialist Dr Astall and Nurse Emerson.

0:03:120:03:16

He feels hot, but he looks a little bit shut down.

0:03:160:03:20

Yeah, but he's warm.

0:03:210:03:23

-He looks more normal...

-..Than he did.

0:03:230:03:25

Kalvin has been ill for several days.

0:03:250:03:28

An intense coughing fit and difficulty breathing

0:03:280:03:31

led his mum, Laura, to call 999.

0:03:310:03:34

He seemed quite blue around the mouth for quite a while.

0:03:340:03:37

-And was he breathing during that time?

-I...I think so.

-Yeah, OK.

0:03:370:03:42

He was breathing, he was making... just a really strange noise.

0:03:420:03:45

As soon as the weather changes,

0:03:470:03:48

there's lots of little ones come in with bronchiolitis.

0:03:480:03:51

What can happen is they can be unwell,

0:03:510:03:53

but then they get VERY unwell by about day four

0:03:530:03:56

and that's what's happened, it's now day four.

0:03:560:03:58

And he's actually a lot worse.

0:03:580:04:00

Just remind me when his symptoms first started.

0:04:000:04:03

I think he's had just a slight cold over this past week,

0:04:030:04:07

and then Saturday was when I noticed his breathing and the cough

0:04:070:04:11

became, like, I knew it was going to happen.

0:04:110:04:15

Bronchiolitis is a chest infection

0:04:160:04:18

that accounts for almost 20% of admissions of children under one.

0:04:180:04:22

Kalvin is eight weeks old.

0:04:250:04:27

The team must open Kalvin's blocked airway.

0:04:320:04:35

It's restricting his breathing.

0:04:360:04:37

So, what we need to do is we need to support him.

0:04:400:04:43

We're going to support his breathing as he needs it with oxygen.

0:04:430:04:47

We'll suck out his nose to help with his breathing

0:04:470:04:49

and we'll send a sample of snot,

0:04:490:04:52

but he's a bit mottled to me

0:04:520:04:54

and I just wonder if he's a bit behind with his feeds

0:04:540:04:56

and his fluids and I think, maybe,

0:04:560:04:58

it might be sensible to pop a drip in

0:04:580:05:01

and maybe just give him some fluid, just to try and catch him up.

0:05:010:05:04

If Kalvin's condition doesn't improve once the fluids are onboard,

0:05:040:05:07

he'll be transferred to intensive care.

0:05:070:05:09

The next 30 minutes on Resus bed two are critical.

0:05:120:05:15

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

0:05:300:05:33

Its Day Surgery ward has 81 beds,

0:05:330:05:36

used for more than 4,000 procedures a year.

0:05:360:05:39

Built for purpose, these beds have side rails,

0:05:410:05:44

a steering pedal and a mount for oxygen.

0:05:440:05:46

Day Surgery bed 32 is prepped and ready for its next shift.

0:05:480:05:52

-Could you take this lady to 32, please?

-Yes. This way, please.

0:05:530:05:57

Cleaning business owner Anna-Marie has extreme pain in her knee.

0:05:570:06:02

She needs surgery to repair the cartilage.

0:06:020:06:06

This will be her second operation in less than seven months.

0:06:060:06:10

I was only pushing a supermarket trolley when I heard it crack

0:06:100:06:13

and it was about...

0:06:130:06:15

four months after my last surgery?

0:06:150:06:18

It just went pop, it went again.

0:06:180:06:21

I literally couldn't walk on it.

0:06:210:06:23

My daughter had to drive me home and after that, it just kept giving way.

0:06:230:06:28

I nearly fall over with it, so...

0:06:280:06:30

Are you going to wait here when I go down, or are you going to go back?

0:06:300:06:33

48-year-old Anna-Marie is carer to her husband, Andrew.

0:06:330:06:37

He's in constant pain from injuries to his back and hand.

0:06:380:06:42

He's unable to walk properly or work.

0:06:420:06:44

The problem I've got is I'm slightly restricted in what, well,

0:06:450:06:48

very restricted in what I can do physically,

0:06:480:06:52

and Anne-Marie has always been the one looking after me.

0:06:520:06:54

The thing is, I'm the carer now,

0:06:540:06:57

so, for me to be off my feet,

0:06:570:06:59

literally, for the next couple of months,

0:06:590:07:02

it's going to be really hard.

0:07:020:07:03

We've been together since we were kids, so we've grown up together.

0:07:050:07:09

We, er...

0:07:110:07:13

As we said, we've been married,

0:07:130:07:15

well, been together 34 years, but we renewed our wedding vows.

0:07:150:07:18

Nurse McDonald carries out Anna-Marie's pre-op checks.

0:07:210:07:26

-Are you all right with needles?

-Me?

0:07:270:07:28

-Yeah.

-It's me that's not all right with needles!

0:07:280:07:31

I just don't want any fainters on my hands!

0:07:310:07:35

We just really look out for each other.

0:07:350:07:37

We're always together

0:07:370:07:40

and as I say, since my surgeries,

0:07:400:07:43

things have become even closer, to be honest.

0:07:430:07:45

Great. That's a good sign.

0:07:450:07:47

She does so much for me.

0:07:470:07:49

Perfect. 4.6.

0:07:490:07:51

Just sweet enough.

0:07:510:07:52

After her last operation,

0:07:550:07:56

Anna-Marie started back at work too soon

0:07:560:07:59

and her knee didn't heal properly.

0:07:590:08:02

Now she can barely walk.

0:08:020:08:04

Anna-Marie finds it difficult to sit down and relax

0:08:040:08:07

and I think that's the problem with what happened last time.

0:08:070:08:11

She actually started

0:08:120:08:14

doing things too soon, didn't you?

0:08:140:08:17

I can't listen to people.

0:08:170:08:19

I don't sit down.

0:08:190:08:20

So I'm finding it really hard sitting here now,

0:08:200:08:23

thinking of things I could be doing.

0:08:230:08:25

One of the couple's three children, Rachel, is a nurse at the hospital.

0:08:250:08:28

She's come in on her day off to see her mum.

0:08:280:08:32

You nervous?

0:08:330:08:35

-Very.

-You'll be fine. We'll look after you.

0:08:350:08:38

I know. I know what's coming this time.

0:08:380:08:40

-Do you work on this ward?

-Yeah, this is where I work.

0:08:400:08:44

-Is it?

-Yeah.

0:08:440:08:45

-It's busy though, isn't it?

-Very busy.

0:08:450:08:48

-So, when you say that you work hard...

-Do you believe me now?

0:08:480:08:53

ALL LAUGH

0:08:530:08:54

It wasn't all lies.

0:08:560:08:57

-How are you?

-I'm fine, thank you.

0:08:570:08:59

Anna-Marie's surgeon is Sir Keith Porter -

0:08:590:09:02

the UK's only professor of Clinical Traumatology.

0:09:020:09:06

We know from your MRI scan,

0:09:060:09:08

you've got a new tear in your cartilage there.

0:09:080:09:11

We know also you've got some background wear in your knee.

0:09:110:09:16

Sir Keith operated on Anna-Marie's knee seven months ago.

0:09:160:09:19

So, the intended benefits here are to assess your knee,

0:09:190:09:23

to improve your pain and to improve your function.

0:09:230:09:26

Because you've got some background arthritis,

0:09:270:09:29

we can't guarantee that you're going to be symptom-free,

0:09:290:09:32

but we know that anyway.

0:09:320:09:34

I forgot to tell you, my knee,

0:09:340:09:36

it's been just going from underneath me unexpectedly quite a lot.

0:09:360:09:41

I think that's related to this new tear.

0:09:410:09:44

Suddenly, that bit of the cartilage displaces

0:09:440:09:46

and causes you some grief.

0:09:460:09:48

Anything else you'd like to ask?

0:09:480:09:50

Um, no. You've covered everything, thank you.

0:09:500:09:53

-OK. See you upstairs.

-Thank you.

0:09:530:09:55

He knew I was a bit anxious,

0:09:590:10:00

so he's made sure that he's there himself for me, as well, hasn't he?

0:10:000:10:05

-Can I walk down to the theatre with her?

-Yes, you can.

0:10:070:10:11

Day Surgery bed 32

0:10:130:10:14

is now ready to take Anna-Marie for her two-hour knee operation.

0:10:140:10:19

In one year, NHS A&E departments see over 22 million cases.

0:10:320:10:38

PHONE RINGS

0:10:380:10:40

Emergency department, RVI.

0:10:400:10:42

Ten minutes. Lovely. Thanks a lot. Bye.

0:10:420:10:45

The Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle has 29 beds

0:10:450:10:49

on which to treat the patients that walk through the door.

0:10:490:10:52

Make yourself comfortable.

0:10:520:10:55

Each bed here works to capacity,

0:10:550:10:58

handling up to nine patients every 24 hours.

0:10:580:11:01

A&E bed nine is ready to meet 36-year-old Chris.

0:11:020:11:06

He's been in a serious road accident on his bike.

0:11:080:11:11

He was hit by a car.

0:11:130:11:14

I was hit on this side,

0:11:140:11:16

but I've gone down on this side

0:11:160:11:18

and that's where all of the kind of...

0:11:180:11:20

..impact's been.

0:11:210:11:23

It's mainly up here, this area here.

0:11:230:11:25

It's very sore now.

0:11:250:11:28

Chris's dad James was on his way to meet him when the accident happened.

0:11:280:11:32

When I first literally got to Chris after he'd been knocked over,

0:11:340:11:38

which was about five minutes or so,

0:11:380:11:40

he had a very yellow, grey look on him,

0:11:400:11:43

which I was a bit worried about, because clearly I thought,

0:11:430:11:46

"Had he had a head injury or was he going to...?"

0:11:460:11:49

But I think it was just the shock, the initial shock.

0:11:490:11:52

Every year, over 20,000 people in the UK

0:11:530:11:56

are injured in cycle accidents.

0:11:560:11:59

You see people flying around on their bikes

0:11:590:12:00

and they don't stop at lights,

0:12:000:12:03

and no wonder people get hit,

0:12:030:12:05

but I was abiding by the rules, kind of thing,

0:12:050:12:08

and it's just ended up being an accident.

0:12:080:12:11

If it'd been someone coming across, different story.

0:12:110:12:16

-Or a bus.

-Or a bus, yeah.

0:12:160:12:18

More than 100 cyclists are killed each year.

0:12:220:12:25

Chris is lucky not to be one of them.

0:12:250:12:28

A&E bed nine takes Chris for multiple X-rays.

0:12:280:12:31

These will reveal any breaks or fractures in his arm, ribs or leg.

0:12:330:12:37

Fantastic, so I'm going to spin you round a touch.

0:12:380:12:41

-We'll take several X-rays.

-OK.

0:12:410:12:42

Are you just doing the shoulder area?

0:12:420:12:45

We're going to take your shoulder,

0:12:450:12:47

the ankle and, also, the elbow, as well.

0:12:470:12:49

-It's all on the left-hand side, is that correct?

-Yeah.

0:12:490:12:51

Senior Radiographer Mr Patterson is also a cyclist.

0:12:510:12:55

And you fell off your bike, is that correct?

0:12:560:12:58

I was knocked off my bike, yeah.

0:12:580:13:01

-What kind of bike was it? Road bike, mountain bike?

-Yeah, road.

0:13:010:13:04

It's scary out there. You have to have eyes absolutely everywhere.

0:13:040:13:07

-You do. We were just talking about that.

-I cycle commute, too.

0:13:070:13:09

You get that sort of sixth sense that something is going to happen,

0:13:090:13:12

-but you never quite get out of the way, do you?

-I know.

0:13:120:13:16

The last time Chris was in hospital

0:13:160:13:18

was for the birth of his first child, six months ago.

0:13:180:13:21

Fantastic. That's the first one done. Just relax.

0:13:240:13:27

-So, we're going to take some pictures of the ankle next.

-OK.

0:13:290:13:33

Is it more painful towards the very bottom of the ankle,

0:13:330:13:35

or sort of up towards the shin?

0:13:350:13:37

The shin. More towards the shin.

0:13:370:13:39

I'm going to lower the back of the bed down slightly

0:13:390:13:42

-and I'll get you to shuffle your bottom backwards if you can.

-OK.

0:13:420:13:45

So, gently does it.

0:13:450:13:46

Have you ever injured this ankle before?

0:13:490:13:51

Any previous breaks, dislocations?

0:13:510:13:52

-No, just sprains.

-Excellent.

0:13:520:13:55

Let's hope we can say the same thing here.

0:13:550:13:57

Fantastic. That's that one taken.

0:14:000:14:03

Chris has six X-rays in all.

0:14:030:14:06

He'll return to the ward and wait on A&E bed nine for the results.

0:14:060:14:10

In the neighbouring Children's Hospital, Resus bed two

0:14:200:14:23

has been with critically ill Kalvin for 30 minutes.

0:14:230:14:27

He's eight weeks old

0:14:280:14:29

and was rushed to Paediatric A&E with his mum Laura.

0:14:290:14:33

With a severe chest infection, he's fighting for breath.

0:14:330:14:36

It's just horrible when they're poorly, isn't it?

0:14:400:14:42

It makes you feel so helpless,

0:14:420:14:44

but you've done absolutely the right thing, so...

0:14:440:14:46

Kalvin's throat is blocked.

0:14:490:14:51

The priority for paediatric specialist Dr Astell

0:14:510:14:54

is to get fluid into Kalvin intravenously.

0:14:540:14:58

I'm just going to warm this hand up a little bit

0:14:580:15:00

with some warm water in a glove.

0:15:000:15:01

MACHINES BEEP

0:15:010:15:03

A surgical glove filled with warm water

0:15:080:15:10

makes a tiny hot water bottle for Kalvin's hand

0:15:100:15:13

to bring his veins to the surface. KALVIN COUGHS

0:15:130:15:15

Ooh! We've got a cough.

0:15:150:15:17

It's such a bronchialytic cough.

0:15:170:15:20

So, will you be able to run the gas through for us?

0:15:200:15:24

I should be able to. It should let me.

0:15:240:15:25

If you do that, then Hayley can pass me the other bottle.

0:15:250:15:27

Right, OK.

0:15:270:15:29

-OK, Mum, he might jump a bit.

-That's fine.

0:15:290:15:32

-KALVIN CRIES

-Oh, I know. I'm sorry.

0:15:320:15:34

I'd rather he was responding to us sticking things in here than not.

0:15:340:15:38

I know, I know.

0:15:390:15:41

It's OK.

0:15:410:15:42

HE GRIZZLES

0:15:420:15:44

What I'll get you to do firstly is...

0:15:450:15:48

Mind the sharp. ..I'm going to put the gas in the tray,

0:15:480:15:51

but if you can pass me the orange and the pink bottle?

0:15:510:15:54

Yeah, of course I will.

0:15:540:15:55

Next, the team check his blood sugar level

0:15:550:15:57

to make sure it hasn't dropped dangerously low.

0:15:570:16:00

5.5. Happy.

0:16:030:16:04

-Is this dad?

-Yes.

-Hi there, come on in.

0:16:100:16:13

He's looking a bit better, so don't worry.

0:16:130:16:15

Baby Kalvin's dad, Carl, has rushed to the hospital to be by his side.

0:16:150:16:19

Kalvin's airways still need to be cleared to help him breathe.

0:16:210:16:25

HE CRIES

0:16:270:16:29

Kalvin is out of danger, but he's not well enough to return home.

0:16:440:16:48

Resus bed two transfers him to a paediatric ward

0:16:520:16:55

where he will stay under close observation.

0:16:550:16:58

Resus bed two is put back into circulation,

0:17:040:17:08

ready for its next critical patient.

0:17:080:17:10

It's 3pm at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

0:17:190:17:23

Day Surgery bed 32 is carrying Anna-Marie from the ward

0:17:230:17:26

to the operating theatre.

0:17:260:17:28

She's having knee surgery for the second time this year.

0:17:350:17:38

It's crucial the operation works.

0:17:380:17:40

-Can you just stop one minute?

-Yeah.

-Love you. Good luck.

0:17:430:17:48

Anna-Marie is the family's breadwinner

0:17:480:17:51

and carer to husband Andrew,

0:17:510:17:53

who has chronic pain in his back.

0:17:530:17:55

We met when we were really young,

0:17:560:17:58

so we just really look out for each other.

0:17:580:18:02

She's my carer, to a large degree,

0:18:020:18:05

she does virtually everything for me because of my condition.

0:18:050:18:08

Strong painkiller now, right?

0:18:100:18:11

This will make you feel a bit light-headed.

0:18:110:18:14

What's your favourite tipple?

0:18:140:18:16

-Cocktails.

-Cocktail. What sort?

-Mojito.

0:18:160:18:18

No, I like mojitos, but I like strawberry daiquiris, as well.

0:18:180:18:21

-This is your strawberry daiquiri.

-That's my strawberry daiquiri.

0:18:210:18:25

-They usually knock me out, as well!

-OK?

0:18:250:18:28

A bit of oxygen now, all right?

0:18:280:18:30

That's for you. That's fresh air.

0:18:300:18:32

That's the main sleepy stuff going in now. Just go with the flow.

0:18:320:18:37

Husband Andrew waits on the ward.

0:18:370:18:39

I'm really worried. She struggled with the anaesthetic last time,

0:18:390:18:44

so, hopefully, this time, she's not going to feel quite so sick.

0:18:440:18:48

That's the big thing, really - the anaesthetic factor.

0:18:500:18:54

Eminent trauma specialist Sir Keith Porter

0:19:000:19:02

will repair the torn cartilage in Anna-Marie's knee.

0:19:020:19:06

This afternoon's procedure is a planned operation.

0:19:060:19:09

It's called an arthroscopy,

0:19:090:19:10

which is placing a telescope inside a patient's knee,

0:19:100:19:14

which we use for both diagnostic and treatment purposes.

0:19:140:19:16

We know the patient has a tear in their cartilage, as well as

0:19:200:19:23

some background wear changes.

0:19:230:19:26

Whilst it will give more information on assessment,

0:19:260:19:28

the main reason for the operation today is actually treatment.

0:19:280:19:31

Without this operation, Anna-Marie's leg will continue to give way,

0:19:370:19:42

damaging her cartilage further.

0:19:420:19:44

Just anxious to see how she is

0:19:460:19:47

because, hopefully, everything's gone OK.

0:19:470:19:50

Nearly two hours now.

0:19:520:19:54

Hopefully, back soon.

0:19:550:19:56

She's in recovery at the moment, so...just waiting.

0:19:590:20:03

After two hours,

0:20:040:20:05

Anna-Marie is reunited with Day Surgery bed 32 and husband Andrew.

0:20:050:20:10

This time she's actually going to have to listen to people.

0:20:100:20:12

She's going to have to listen to me.

0:20:120:20:14

-You all right?

-Yeah.

0:20:140:20:16

-Just tired?

-Yeah.

0:20:160:20:18

We've got three children, so they'll be around to help.

0:20:180:20:22

Our youngest daughter, Jade,

0:20:220:20:24

she still lives at home,

0:20:240:20:26

so I've no doubt she'll be looking after her mum.

0:20:260:20:30

Do you need me to open it for you?

0:20:300:20:32

-I can do it.

-You sure?

-Yeah.

0:20:320:20:35

It will take Anna-Marie three months

0:20:350:20:37

to fully recover from the surgery on her knee.

0:20:370:20:41

Nurse McDonald is in charge of her post-op care.

0:20:410:20:44

She has to eat something, drink a hot drink and not feel sick.

0:20:440:20:48

We can't send patients home when they're feeling sick.

0:20:480:20:51

-I'm eating.

-Is it going down well?

0:20:510:20:53

I ate half. She asked me to eat half.

0:20:540:20:58

You've got to eat a little bit more of this one. A little bit more.

0:20:580:21:02

So bossy.

0:21:050:21:07

I ate half a sandwich and I've managed to...

0:21:080:21:11

-Nearly half a sandwich.

-Nearly half a sandwich.

-No, look.

0:21:110:21:14

Just a little bit of crust on the corner.

0:21:160:21:18

That's more than I managed before.

0:21:180:21:19

-I believe you. And you've had a biscuit?

-I had two biscuits.

0:21:190:21:22

-Shall we try and get you out of bed, then?

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

0:21:220:21:25

Anna-Marie needs to be able to bear weight on her leg

0:21:260:21:30

otherwise she can't be discharged.

0:21:300:21:32

-Feel all right?

-Yeah.

-So, you've passed urine, your obs are stable,

0:21:330:21:37

you feel OK, you've had something to eat.

0:21:370:21:39

-That's the criteria for discharge.

-Thank you.

0:21:390:21:42

So, I'll let you get dressed.

0:21:420:21:43

After a ten-hour shift,

0:21:450:21:47

Day Surgery bed 32's time with Anna-Marie is over.

0:21:470:21:51

In Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary,

0:22:040:22:07

A&E bed nine is carrying Chris.

0:22:070:22:09

He has severe pain down his left side

0:22:120:22:14

after being knocked off his bike.

0:22:140:22:16

Hello. It's Louise in X-ray.

0:22:170:22:19

I've got a gentleman on a trolley

0:22:190:22:20

to go back to A&E, please. Thank you. Bye.

0:22:200:22:22

A&E patient numbers are on the rise.

0:22:220:22:26

It's putting hospital beds under more pressure than ever before.

0:22:260:22:30

At the minute, there aren't any beds next door.

0:22:300:22:33

There is movement next door, though,

0:22:330:22:35

and I think there's about 20 beds in the system, so...

0:22:350:22:37

All of the emergency bays are currently full with patients.

0:22:370:22:41

The team's only option is to leave A&E bed nine and Chris

0:22:410:22:45

in the corridor to wait for his X-ray results.

0:22:450:22:48

You've been evicted.

0:22:480:22:50

-Didn't take long, did it?

-Oh, no. Never does.

0:22:510:22:54

His X-rays have revealed no breaks.

0:22:550:22:57

Nurse Bishop gives him medication for the pain.

0:22:570:23:00

I've just got some ibuprofen and co-codamol for you, OK?

0:23:000:23:03

-Yeah.

-How's the bike, then?

-It's fine, I think.

0:23:030:23:06

I was hit square-on,

0:23:060:23:07

so it just flung across the road rather than buckling it,

0:23:070:23:10

but I'll have a proper look when I get...

0:23:100:23:13

-Oh, that's OK. No breaks, bike's all right.

-Yeah, I know.

0:23:130:23:16

-Quite lucky there, actually.

-Yeah, definitely.

0:23:160:23:19

-Did you have your helmet on?

-Yeah. Yeah, definitely.

0:23:190:23:22

We're forever telling people, "Make sure you have your helmet on."

0:23:220:23:25

I haven't looked at that, because I cracked the ground with that

0:23:250:23:28

so it's probably got a crack in it.

0:23:280:23:31

That's fine there, if you're all right to step down,

0:23:310:23:33

if you feel OK to do so?

0:23:330:23:35

An hour and a half after arriving, Chris is discharged.

0:23:360:23:40

A&E bed nine needs to be turned around quickly

0:23:450:23:47

to keep up with patient demand.

0:23:470:23:50

Grandmother-of-11 Margaret has arrived,

0:24:060:24:09

suffering with intense pain in her leg.

0:24:090:24:12

There's only one bed for her - it's A&E bed nine.

0:24:120:24:14

Right, we've got you booked in, Margaret. We'll get you seen to.

0:24:170:24:19

Just have a seat.

0:24:190:24:21

I got up one day and my knee was painful, swelling.

0:24:210:24:25

Maybe it's just something that will go away,

0:24:250:24:28

but after a week, it became unbearable.

0:24:280:24:31

This is the second time Margaret has come to A&E with pain in her knee.

0:24:320:24:35

On the first visit a month ago,

0:24:370:24:39

she was admitted overnight.

0:24:390:24:41

She was X-rayed and fluid was drained from her knee.

0:24:410:24:44

Nurse Dyas is assigned to her case to carry out initial tests.

0:24:470:24:51

I'm just going to check your blood pressure and check everything's OK.

0:24:550:24:58

They drained it last time, is that right?

0:24:590:25:01

Yeah, they drained it last time.

0:25:010:25:03

So, they'll probably drain it. Come down and drain it again, maybe.

0:25:030:25:06

Last time Margaret had this procedure, she had intense pain.

0:25:100:25:14

They put the needle, it was a long needle,

0:25:140:25:17

You know, they put it through here,

0:25:170:25:20

you know, which was very, very painful.

0:25:200:25:23

They tried it several times.

0:25:230:25:26

It's like getting blood out of your vein, but with this,

0:25:260:25:31

it's different because it's in between your bones...

0:25:310:25:35

..and it was very, very painful.

0:25:360:25:39

The worst pain ever, apart from childbirth.

0:25:390:25:43

Dr Richardson, a junior doctor,

0:25:430:25:46

wants to be sure a drain is the right course of action.

0:25:460:25:50

When you had it drained, did that help with the pain?

0:25:500:25:54

It helped a little bit.

0:25:550:25:57

The drain itself...

0:25:570:25:59

..had its own pain that it came with

0:26:000:26:03

because they didn't give me any local anaesthetic.

0:26:030:26:06

Oh, right. And are you able to walk on it?

0:26:060:26:08

Yeah, but not weight-bear on this completely. It's mainly this.

0:26:080:26:12

-On the right leg instead?

-So, I hop, you know?

-OK, fine, OK.

0:26:120:26:16

I'm just going to come around this side.

0:26:160:26:19

Now, can you straighten your leg out, do you think?

0:26:190:26:22

-It's very, very painful.

-OK. Just as best you can. That's fine.

0:26:220:26:27

Margaret is part of a large family.

0:26:270:26:30

Without her mobility, the whole family is affected.

0:26:300:26:34

I'm going to press here.

0:26:340:26:36

-Ooh!

-Where did it hurt when I did that?

0:26:360:26:38

-Here, right here.

-That side, OK.

0:26:380:26:40

There's possibly a bit of fluid in there still,

0:26:410:26:44

but the orthopaedic doctors are going to come down and see you

0:26:440:26:47

and I think they're going to take another sample off, as well.

0:26:470:26:49

If there is fluid, and if they're going to drain it,

0:26:490:26:54

-I will request if I can have a local anaesthetic.

-OK.

0:26:540:26:58

Because the last time...

0:26:580:26:59

-It was too much. I understand.

-I didn't have any.

0:26:590:27:02

Let me go and see what the results are,

0:27:020:27:05

because it may be that we might not need it.

0:27:050:27:07

If they've taken quite a lot off it,

0:27:070:27:08

it's unlikely that it's all come back, so, you know,

0:27:080:27:11

it might not need that at the moment, but we'll see.

0:27:110:27:13

I'll be back in sort of five, ten minutes, once I've had a look, OK?

0:27:130:27:16

-Thank you very much, thank you.

-OK. Thank you. No problem.

0:27:160:27:18

I'm not entirely certain what's going on at the moment.

0:27:200:27:23

I think she may have gout in her knee

0:27:230:27:27

and that's possibly what she came in with at the start of the month.

0:27:270:27:30

Gout is a build-up of crystals that can happen in the knee.

0:27:300:27:34

They're usually formed by some of the waste products

0:27:340:27:37

that your body forms and they can form in any joint.

0:27:370:27:40

Usually, it's your toe or your knee or something like that

0:27:400:27:42

and it's incredibly painful. Really difficult to walk on.

0:27:420:27:45

-Hi.

-Hi, Doctor.

0:27:480:27:50

So, I've spoken to the orthopaedic doctors

0:27:500:27:53

and they think what we need to do is get some blood tests,

0:27:530:27:56

get an X-ray and they may need to take another sample.

0:27:560:28:00

But we'll ask for the local anaesthetic, don't worry, OK?

0:28:000:28:04

OK.

0:28:040:28:05

A&E bed nine is quickly put to work.

0:28:100:28:13

After a short stop in X-ray,

0:28:230:28:26

the bed takes Margaret back to the bay

0:28:260:28:29

to wait for the orthopaedic doctors.

0:28:290:28:31

They will decide if her knee should be drained.

0:28:330:28:37

The Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle.

0:28:480:28:50

Here, the Paediatric Emergency and Assessment Unit

0:28:520:28:56

sees almost 500 cases a year

0:28:560:28:58

of children with objects stuck in their nose or ears.

0:28:580:29:01

It's Clem. I'm the Paediatric Coordinator.

0:29:020:29:05

Oh, hi. I'm all right, thank you. How are you?

0:29:050:29:08

Five-year-old Harsal has been admitted

0:29:090:29:12

to Paediatric A&E bed 27 with a small ball in his ear.

0:29:120:29:16

Oh, yeah, I can see it.

0:29:160:29:18

Who put that in your ear?

0:29:180:29:20

One of his best friends.

0:29:200:29:22

Nurse Park makes an attempt to remove the ball.

0:29:250:29:28

Can you do this? Can you hold your nose, or shall I hold it?

0:29:280:29:32

-And you go...

-SHE PUFFS

0:29:320:29:33

HE PUFFS

0:29:330:29:36

Oh, it's not moved.

0:29:380:29:40

Let's have a look.

0:29:420:29:43

I think it's moved a little bit out, but not much.

0:29:430:29:46

Today was Harsal's first day back at school.

0:29:470:29:51

His mum Priteema is by his side.

0:29:510:29:53

He's very naughty.

0:29:530:29:55

He's a little monkey.

0:29:550:29:57

Never keeps still.

0:29:570:29:58

He's a very hyper kid.

0:29:580:29:59

Yeah...

0:29:590:30:00

Very curious.

0:30:000:30:02

Just wants to know about everything all the time.

0:30:020:30:05

When I've been outside after lunch,

0:30:050:30:09

when I was counting,

0:30:090:30:11

someone put a little ball in my ear.

0:30:110:30:16

Really, really worried about if it's damaged inside a lot.

0:30:170:30:21

That's why I'm really, really worried about it.

0:30:210:30:23

If the ball is pushed in too far, Harsal's ear canal could be damaged.

0:30:230:30:28

A perforated eardrum could lead to a permanent loss of hearing.

0:30:300:30:34

Nurse Practitioner Rutherford is next to try and retrieve the ball.

0:30:340:30:38

For this reason, yeah.

0:30:380:30:40

Right, can I have a little look in your ear, yeah?

0:30:400:30:42

Can you look over to that wall for me?

0:30:420:30:45

All right. Do you know what the ball was made of?

0:30:450:30:48

A plastic ball.

0:30:480:30:50

A plastic ball.

0:30:500:30:51

Right. What we'll try and do is

0:30:520:30:54

we'll try and suck it out.

0:30:540:30:56

Oh, yeah, I know that.

0:30:560:30:59

Have you seen one of these before?

0:30:590:31:00

-Yeah.

-It won't hurt.

0:31:000:31:03

OK?

0:31:030:31:04

Nice and still.

0:31:040:31:06

You keep really, really still.

0:31:060:31:08

The main problem when you're trying to remove something

0:31:080:31:11

from a child's ear, it's very small anyway, they can move around.

0:31:110:31:15

They don't always like to lie still.

0:31:150:31:17

There's always the possibility that you could end up

0:31:170:31:19

pushing it further down.

0:31:190:31:20

Nice and still.

0:31:200:31:22

-It's out yet?

-No, it's not out yet.

0:31:230:31:26

This will take a few minutes, Harsal, OK?

0:31:260:31:29

Having no success with the suction tube,

0:31:290:31:32

Nurse Practitioner Rutherford moves in with a small set of forceps.

0:31:320:31:36

Right, you keep really, really still.

0:31:360:31:38

-That's it. Out.

-Oh!

0:31:420:31:44

Oh, my goodness.

0:31:440:31:45

HE LAUGHS AND GIGGLES

0:31:450:31:47

-I want to keep that!

-You want to keep it?

0:31:480:31:51

It was a very small bead which had a little hole in,

0:31:510:31:53

which was actually quite handy because, then,

0:31:530:31:56

you could actually get the forceps into the hole and pull it out.

0:31:560:32:00

Let me just have another little look.

0:32:000:32:02

Look over to the side again...

0:32:020:32:03

Nurse Practitioner Rutherford checks that the ball

0:32:030:32:06

has caused no lasting damage.

0:32:060:32:08

-Fine. Nothing, there.

-Thanks very much.

0:32:080:32:11

I really appreciate it.

0:32:110:32:13

And Harsal takes a memento of the day.

0:32:130:32:16

You'll have to tell your friends not to put things in your ear.

0:32:160:32:19

Just keep an eye that it doesn't get any discharge or anything from it.

0:32:190:32:23

-Oh, yeah, yeah. Thanks very much. Thank you.

-All right.

0:32:230:32:26

Harsal parts company with Paediatric A&E bed 27.

0:32:280:32:32

At the Great North Children's Hospital,

0:32:440:32:47

the Paediatric A&E beds can be turned around

0:32:470:32:50

in less than ten minutes.

0:32:500:32:51

Hello. Paeds AD, Becky speaking.

0:32:510:32:54

Paediatric bed 27 welcomes its next emergency patient.

0:32:540:32:58

14-year-old Abby has been admitted with stomach pain.

0:33:010:33:05

Her mum Keeley is worried it's appendicitis.

0:33:050:33:11

-Hello.

-Hiya.

-Hiya.

0:33:110:33:12

I'm Becky, one of the nurse practitioners.

0:33:120:33:15

Nurse Practitioner Ramshaw will examine her.

0:33:150:33:18

So, can you tell us what's been happening today?

0:33:180:33:20

Abby started complaining of a pain in her side on Friday night.

0:33:200:33:25

She was saying it was really sharp

0:33:250:33:26

-and it was hurting when she was breathing.

-OK.

0:33:260:33:29

We gave her paracetamol.

0:33:290:33:31

She's had paracetamol for a couple of days and it's not easing at all.

0:33:310:33:35

So, I her took down to the doctor this morning, explained to him,

0:33:350:33:38

and he said we should bring her here and have it checked

0:33:380:33:40

because he thinks she has appendicitis.

0:33:400:33:42

-OK. All right. So, it's been going on since Friday?

-Yeah.

0:33:420:33:45

-We're on holiday on Sunday.

-Are you?

-Where are you going on Sunday?

0:33:450:33:48

-Salou.

-Oh, are you?

-Yeah, so fingers crossed everything's OK.

0:33:480:33:53

So, just tell me if I press anywhere that's sore.

0:33:530:33:57

Appendicitis affects one in 13 people.

0:33:590:34:02

-There.

-It's started to get a bit uncomfortable?

0:34:030:34:07

If it isn't stopped in time, it can be life-threatening.

0:34:070:34:10

Just pop your hands just straight down by your sides if you can.

0:34:100:34:14

-What about there? Is that sore, as well?

-Yeah.

-OK.

0:34:150:34:18

-There.

-That's uncomfortable there?

0:34:190:34:22

-There.

-OK.

0:34:230:34:24

-We'll pop that bed back up now, OK?

-OK.

0:34:260:34:28

That OK?

0:34:300:34:31

She is sore over the area where your appendix is.

0:34:310:34:34

Obviously, I think that's what your GP was worried about

0:34:340:34:36

-and made him think appendicitis.

-Yeah, yeah.

0:34:360:34:38

I think what we should do is take some blood samples from her.

0:34:380:34:41

We'll have a little look at the inflammatory markers

0:34:410:34:44

and just see if there's any sign of any infection

0:34:440:34:46

going on that would then need me to refer you

0:34:460:34:48

to see one of the surgeons today.

0:34:480:34:50

OK, sweetheart. I won't be long, all right?

0:34:500:34:52

I'll come back and get that sorted.

0:34:520:34:53

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix

0:34:550:34:58

and it can become... It can make the child become more unwell

0:34:580:35:02

because it can cause sepsis, which is quite a nasty infection,

0:35:020:35:06

which she would need to get some treatment for, some antibiotics

0:35:060:35:09

to cover her for the sepsis and then probably surgery to

0:35:090:35:12

remove the appendix.

0:35:120:35:14

I have three children.

0:35:140:35:16

Abby's the middle child.

0:35:160:35:18

I have Ellie, who's 16

0:35:180:35:20

and Corby, who's seven in two weeks' time.

0:35:200:35:23

This is Corby. This is Ellie, and this is Abby.

0:35:230:35:26

We left Abby till last, didn't we?

0:35:260:35:30

Best till last.

0:35:300:35:31

OK, sweetheart. So, we can get sorted with this blood test.

0:35:360:35:40

This is Sophie.

0:35:400:35:41

The whole family are due to go on holiday to Spain in five days' time.

0:35:410:35:46

I'm going to go on me phone with the other hand,

0:35:480:35:51

that'll distract us.

0:35:510:35:53

If she needs surgery to remove her appendix,

0:35:530:35:56

Abby won't be well enough to travel.

0:35:560:35:58

-Lovely, sweetheart. I'll go and get these sent off, OK?

-OK. Thank you.

0:36:000:36:03

Fingers crossed, legs crossed, toes crossed.

0:36:050:36:08

We'll be devastated.

0:36:080:36:10

Until the blood tests come back,

0:36:110:36:13

Abby will stay with Paediatric bed 27 and wait.

0:36:130:36:16

A&E bed nine at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary

0:36:300:36:34

has been occupied by Margaret for two hours and 15 minutes.

0:36:340:36:38

She's been struggling with intense pain and swelling in her left knee.

0:36:400:36:43

Orthopaedic Specialist Doctor Ferns

0:36:450:36:47

and Junior Doctor Nolan have arrived to drain liquid

0:36:470:36:51

from her knee for analysis.

0:36:510:36:52

OK, so, this is just the numbing agent.

0:36:520:36:55

Is it starting to feel numb a little bit?

0:37:000:37:03

A bit.

0:37:030:37:05

Look away.

0:37:070:37:08

And relax.

0:37:090:37:11

Dr Nolan tries to draw off liquid,

0:37:110:37:14

but the needle won't go in.

0:37:140:37:15

And just guide it in quite gently.

0:37:150:37:18

It feels like it's getting stuck.

0:37:180:37:20

Move in a bit more inferior.

0:37:210:37:23

-A bit more deep.

-Yeah.

0:37:230:37:25

Yeah.

0:37:250:37:26

They need another needle.

0:37:290:37:31

-Sharp scratch.

-Ow!

0:37:310:37:33

-Sorry.

-Keep it in, though.

0:37:330:37:35

Keep still, keep still.

0:37:350:37:37

You want to be quite close to the hilt.

0:37:380:37:40

Oh, is that fluid there?

0:37:400:37:43

Take it out a little bit, not too much, the needle.

0:37:430:37:46

Take as much out as you can.

0:37:460:37:49

You see, there's quite a lot that's come out.

0:37:530:37:55

Do you see that? That's it, keep the plastic straight.

0:37:550:37:57

I'm going to let go, OK?

0:37:590:38:00

I've got gauze, so you just take everything out and I'll put it over.

0:38:000:38:04

This is a lot more than what was taken out the last time.

0:38:060:38:10

Did you hear that?

0:38:100:38:12

So, it's a lot better.

0:38:120:38:14

-Can you try and bend your knee a bit more?

-Oh, stiff...

0:38:140:38:16

Oh, no, it won't be fixed altogether.

0:38:160:38:19

-As long as it's a little bit better.

-Yeah.

0:38:190:38:21

Margaret's knee fluid is sent to the lab for tests.

0:38:220:38:26

After two and a half hours, Dr Ferns returns.

0:38:300:38:32

Sorry, have you been waiting here the whole time?

0:38:340:38:36

-Yeah, yeah, I've been waiting.

-Sorry about that.

0:38:360:38:38

I got called with the results about half an hour ago,

0:38:380:38:41

but I've not been able to come and see you.

0:38:410:38:42

So, basically, the results came back all negative, OK?

0:38:420:38:45

The fluid, there's nothing in it, OK? I think this is probably...

0:38:450:38:49

..arthritis, OK? So the best thing,

0:38:500:38:53

we're going to give you some stronger painkillers today, OK?

0:38:530:38:56

So, we didn't really get an answer for Margaret today,

0:38:560:38:59

but we ruled out anything serious.

0:38:590:39:01

So, other than that, we can let her go home

0:39:010:39:03

and we have increased her painkillers so she can sleep tonight

0:39:030:39:06

and she'll be a bit happier, at least.

0:39:060:39:08

It's a bit disappointing, to be honest with you.

0:39:110:39:14

Obviously, the pain, that doesn't take the pain away

0:39:140:39:17

and the swelling, as you can see, you know?

0:39:170:39:20

And every move now is agony.

0:39:200:39:23

I will be glad to be out of here,

0:39:230:39:27

to see the back of the bed.

0:39:270:39:30

I'm not very tall!

0:39:330:39:34

I'll walk you down.

0:39:380:39:41

Margaret leaves A&E bed nine.

0:39:410:39:44

Investigations into the pain in her knee will continue.

0:39:440:39:47

At Newcastle's Great North Children's Hospital,

0:39:580:40:01

A&E bed 27 has been occupied by teenager Abby for an hour.

0:40:010:40:06

She has suspected appendicitis

0:40:070:40:09

and is waiting with mum Keeley for test results.

0:40:090:40:12

So it doesn't look like we're going home in a hurry,

0:40:120:40:15

so I hope that bed's pretty comfortable.

0:40:150:40:17

Strong coffee is what I need.

0:40:180:40:20

Anything to eat or drink is what I need.

0:40:210:40:23

I'm so glad I had me Crunchy Nut.

0:40:230:40:25

I wish I had've had something to eat. I'm absolutely clamming.

0:40:250:40:29

If they're going to have to take your appendix out,

0:40:290:40:31

you can't have anything, Abby.

0:40:310:40:32

-I'll die of starvation before I get me appendix out!

-You'll not, man.

0:40:320:40:35

Hopefully, I don't need them out. I don't want them out.

0:40:350:40:39

Abby's come in today with abdominal pain.

0:40:390:40:42

There's a few possible causes of this

0:40:420:40:44

and one of them is we're thinking it may be appendicitis.

0:40:440:40:48

The only way to confirm that is through a test.

0:40:480:40:51

Once those results are back,

0:40:510:40:52

they'll speak to one of the paediatric surgeons here

0:40:520:40:55

and we'll go from there.

0:40:550:40:57

Abby's family have been planning a holiday to Spain

0:40:570:41:00

for more than six months.

0:41:000:41:02

Just think, next week, you might be on a bed in Spain.

0:41:020:41:04

I've had a countdown since the day you booked it.

0:41:040:41:08

It's four days, 14 hours and 21 minutes until we go to the airport.

0:41:080:41:11

I could cry.

0:41:130:41:15

You could.

0:41:150:41:16

After two and a half hours, there's news.

0:41:190:41:22

-Hello.

-Hello.

-You all right?

0:41:250:41:27

So, the blood results are back.

0:41:270:41:29

One of them is slightly raised a little bit, which would suggest

0:41:330:41:36

that there's a bit of a viral illness going around at the moment.

0:41:360:41:41

-Yeah.

-But it doesn't look like appendicitis.

0:41:410:41:43

Brilliant. That is amazing!

0:41:430:41:46

OK, so we can take that cannula out

0:41:480:41:50

and we can get you on your way.

0:41:500:41:52

And if she develops any other symptoms

0:41:520:41:53

that you're concerned about, or if she gets a temperature

0:41:530:41:56

that you're worried about, pop her back and we'll check you over again.

0:41:560:41:59

I don't think she would tell us if she did now!

0:41:590:42:01

-Relief.

-Yes! Thank you.

0:42:040:42:06

-Enjoy your birthday and your holiday.

-Thank you.

-No worries.

0:42:060:42:09

Thanks. Yay!

0:42:090:42:11

Patient!

0:42:120:42:13

Abby leaves Paediatric A&E bed 27.

0:42:150:42:18

Our hospital beds have given us intimate access

0:42:270:42:31

to the work of the NHS.

0:42:310:42:33

Chris is back on his bike after the accident.

0:42:340:42:36

Margaret has since been diagnosed with arthritis.

0:42:390:42:41

She's managing the pain.

0:42:410:42:43

Baby Kalvin made a full recovery and is back home.

0:42:460:42:49

The beds are now back on their wards,

0:42:530:42:55

ready and waiting for their next round of patients.

0:42:550:42:58

Download Subtitles

SRT

ASS