United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

last night I had to take Aaron to the ER as he had very high fever. I was asked if he had any diseases or illnesses I said no but he does have erbs palsy. they ask whats that? then they come get him to take him to x-ray his chest I have to explain not to carry him by the armpit and so on so my husband being the overprotector he is with his son asks me to please go with them to carry Aaron. Sad that I have to be explaining to THEM about bpis.
----Paula

Paula - sounds like the experience we had right here in town in the E.R. of the #1 childrens hospital in the nation (forgot which year that was).

This is the very thing that got me so angry that I created the Emergency Medical Card for those with bpi's. It's found in the Awareness section on line here...

http://ubpn.org/awareness/A2001911card.pdf

The card has two sides....

So sorry you had to go through this. Shame on them!
You should contact the hospitals board of directors or someone right up there and let them know how disgraceful this is!

-francine

how's Aaron now? fever down? hope he's doing better now

Aaron is fine now. there is a virus going around here that causes 104 temp for 3-5 days think he may be over that now I hope. But thanks Francine for the info will print out and carry a few in the diaper bag.
----Paula

That's the problem with some docs. Melanie wasn't diagnosed with bpi until she saw the specialist at one week of age. My ob or the pediatrician at the hospital said they had no idea why she couldn't move her arm and have never seen anything like it. I had an idea because a friend of mine had a son born a couple of years prior with the injury.
Cindy

Well, guys, I can honestly say that it's true that a lot of medical professionals have no idea what a BPI is. I had been a nurse for 6 years when Logan was born with an OBPI and when my ped told me what it was, I was like, "a WHAT???". I had never heard of it. Medicene is so specialized that unless you deal with, you really have no contact with it. On the other hand, I am surprised ER personnel didn't know since they see all types of trauma and have a general broad knowledge, especially traumatic bpi's. But don't hold it against the medical profession. I can tell you, over the last 3 1/2 years, maybe a handful of all of the people I have educated on bpi's actually knew what it was! Make a call to the ER supervisor and say, "I was in the ER with my son who has a BPI and it appeared to me that there was a major lack of understanding of bpi's and how to care for someone with bpi's. Can I send you some info to share with your staff?". I'm sure the supervisor would be happy you called and he/she could make the info an inservice for her staff!! The cards are a great idea, too! Nat