South San Francisco, CA August 12, 2016 Submitted by Robert Barrett
I went to visit my father today at Kaiser SSF who is in a life struggle with cancer. And after a quick room inspection, I found some deplorable conditions. His bathroom was soiled with urine and feces, they had soiled linens directly outside of his room.
Soiled bathroom
Photo: Robert Garrett
Soiled bathroom
Photo: Robert Barrett
He was also housed next to a Negative Isolation room, which had the door wide open, with soiled linen right outside his door!
Inside the soiled linens next to his room
Photo: Robert Barrett
Inside the soiled linens
Photo: Robert Barrett
They are also serving him raw fruit. And from what I’ve experienced with my wife and read, you don’t give chemo patients raw food. Not to mention that he couldn’t eat it and it stayed in his room for over 3 hours! {UPDATE/EDIT 8.13,2016 10pm: Janine Grillo Barrett clarifies “People going through chemotherapy should not have any fruit or salads because of bacteria. All of their food must be fully cooked to avoid things like ecoli which he has right now. When your fighting for your life you must’ve extra careful what foods you eat”}
3 hour old cottage cheese and raw fruit
Photo: Robert Barrett
Obvious, writes son Robert Barrett who shared these photos with ESC
Dirty transfer air grille
Photo by Robert Barrett
I complained to the head nurse and she was completely embarrassed. But this is her unit, how could she not know about these conditions? I’ve emailed Stanley Roberts from KRON 4 and I will be contacting the health dept on Monday. Kaiser SSF is a disgrace!
My dad-has no immune system left to fight off infections. The effects of chemotherapy, but since he has been at Kaiser he has contracted Ecoli, and has a severe fever. I’m stuck! I’d trade places with my dad in a minute, but I fear that he is not in the right place
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We are very sorry that you have experienced these concerns. While we can’t discuss a case without the permission of the patient involved, we can say that the well-being and satisfaction of our patients is our priority. We take concerns brought to our attention very seriously and take immediate steps to investigate, meet with patients and families, escalate if needed, and take all actions needed to make sure that the concerns are resolved. If you would like to discuss this further, please email us directly at [email protected].
Thanks for advocating for your father! You did a great job with pictures etc. I would report it (with pics) to the head of the hospital so that things get better for everyone. I’ll keep your dad and family in my thoughts and prayers!
I’m so sorry for what your dear father is going through. No one should ever be in conditions like these regardless. If possible, can you get your father treated at another hospital like UCSF or Mills Peninsula instead? I know it depends on the kind of health insurance he has but it’s a matter of his safety plus yours and your wife. I hope things resolved soon.
Kaiser has gone downhill lately. It used to be top notch but now needs to expand for all the patients it signs up.
Get your father out of that hell hole!! I was abandoned in the pre op room for FIVE HOURS. I pleaded for help to go to the bathroom and was ignored.
That place is over crowed and understaffed.