My Mother’s Death Was Preventable: A Nurse’s Call for Patient Advocacy

I Saved My Mom's Life Twice! And then she entered the hospital for the last time....

She asked me, “Robin, how much is this going to cost me?” Joking around as she knew I was diving headfirst into my patient advocacy practice. And never in a million years would I have thought it was going to cost her her life. I was on top of EVERYTHING. 

I spoke to her doctors every single day. Wrote detailed logs. Established a good rapport with the nurses, signed the paperwork that only trained physicians could participate in her care (aka no student doctors were to make decisions). I visited her at the hospital as much as I could, while also caring for my Dad at the time, in hospice. And we were over the moon excited that after 6 weeks in the hospital, my mom was ready to be transferred to a rehab. Everything was set. But the night before, I got a call from the hospital. They said my mom’s condition was worse again. I asked if they checked for a PE (pulmonary embolism), AKA for my non-doctor friends, a blood clot in the lung. The doctor sounded nervous. Essentially, they informed me that they were treating her with one thing - NS - which was not standard protocol.

Which I know because I have worked in all aspects of nursing for 28 years.

I knew at that moment that a medical student doctor was caring for my mom. They said another doctor would call me. He did. He told me about the incorrect treatment. And at that point, it was too late. The hospital never performed the Lung CT scan that had been ordered.

And that was when my mom knew she was going to die.

And the guilt I felt was overwhelming.

I felt like I failed her, mixed in with other family complications - it was a mess.

To top it off, Katelynn and I were physically present, and Shane was on FaceTime as he traveled home from Alaska.  And I’ll never forget the nurse coming into the room and telling me to get off the phone with my son. It was a whole catastrophe. I still get emotional thinking about it.

I write and share this not because I want sympathy

But because I want to truly show you what it looks like, because not many realize the deaths of their parents, loved ones, etc. IS and CAN BE preventable, in most healthcare crises. 

When you know how hospitals operate, you have someone on your team who knows the standard treatments, protocols, and inner workings - you have a leg up on making sure your loved ones are properly cared for.

I'm sharing this story because it is what I have devoted my life to, my passion for advocating for patients and demanding proper care. I share because many people don’t know services like mine are available to them.

I share because I don’t want another person to lose a parent. A loved one. A friend, sibling, sister, brother, daughter. To medical error.

May my mom rest in the sweetest peace.

And may you all help me get the word out about these services available?

BIO

Robin Sparda - RNB, BSN, iRNPA

For the past 20+ years, I have worked as a Registered Nurse while supporting cardiac, geriatric, and psychiatric patients and their families. I became my father-in-law’s private patient advocate, who suffered from late-stage Alzheimer’s Disease as well as dealing with underlying cardiac issues. This experience exposed me to the many challenges individuals who care for elderly loved ones often face from a personal standpoint. My empathy only grew stronger, which inspired me to create Your Nurse Advocate. 

Your Nurse Advocate helps families and their loved ones navigate the complex healthcare system by partnering you with a dedicated patient advocate. Your advocate will be with you every step along the way and will assist with communicating with medical teams, accompanying clients to medical appointments, checking in during home visits, and ensuring that your family members are following the instructions of their providers. We also position our clients and families to feel empowered to make their own decisions throughout the healthcare journey. 

If you are interested in learning more about Your Nurse Advocate and how we can provide peace of mind to you and your loved ones, please visit https://your-nurse-advocate.com/ or contact me directly at Robinspardarn@gmail.com.

Be Informed, Be Empowered, Be Prepared.