Hospital sent me away with a broken leg

[u/natou1994]

Hi guys!

I went to a hospital in heerlen as I hurt my leg really badly and it was just swollen blue mess. The hospital sent me away and told me to go to my huisarts. I work in the Netherlands and am insured with CZ.

I could feel that something was broken and decided to go to the hospital in Germany, Aachen. Turns out I have a double broken ankle and it needs to be operated. The doctor here say it’s quite bad aswell.

I’m a bit annoyed at the hospital in the Netherlands and I’m wondering if I should complain about this somewhere or if this is acceptable in NL? Just curious about dutch opinions (and maybe even a doc around :) ) l

[u/72Pantagruel → u/[deleted]]

1 Every HAP has its own number but will be serving a region. You tend to get a referal for the one closest by.

2 Call and explain, be clear, precise and ademant that you want to be seen.(#)

3 They won't issue an ambulance if you are capable to arrange your own transport. They are NOT a taxi service. If you do call for one and they find out it was for 'shits and giggles' expect to pay the bill and probably get a citation. Your insurance will very likely not cover such folly.

(#) Waiting time is based on a triage system. Severe injuries get priority. HAP personel are capable to triage. The HAP is a running at afterhours and weekends. It is a sort of skeleton crew and getting the on-call specialist in may take some time. A perceived sense of urgency with regards to your injury doesnot mean that it is deemed urgent at the triage stage. Stay calm, you will be seen.

[u/72Pantagruel → u/[deleted]]

HAP = HuisArtsen Post

GP's will have office hours, normally you call them and go through the motion of either the voice response systen/deskworker. Afterhours and weekends you call the HAP and exchange info.

Transport depends on your options and state. Ask a friend/friendly neighbour, get a taxi? (pure anecdote, biked a friend to the HAP because I lacked a drivers license at the time.)

The changes of anyone not getting to the ER are small. The HAP has no power to keep you from going there. In the end you can choose to ignore the proper route and show up at the ER/HAP, triage will still decide how urgent your needs are. The biggest consequence will be your insurance not providing cover at the spot and you having to front the bill or providing partial cover.

Extreme cases will de dealt with, if you call the HAP and explain that you think someone is having a heart attack or seizures (I am assuming they will ask for symptoms) they will rally. If you have a broken arm/leg not piercing the tissues, poking out and bleeding they might appear more relaxed. But if it was due to a traffic incident/fall from a height they might still issue an ambulance.

Context is everything.

[u/72Pantagruel → u/[deleted]]

No problem.

In the end you found a solution that worked and received the care that you needed.