The first few questions that come to mind...due to the state your father is currently in....has he executed a Power of Atty, Advanced Directive to Physicians, a HIPAA Law Waiver? If your father has these records, signed and notarized, you must find who holds the Power of Atty over Health Care. This person can speak for your father because your father cannot speak for himself. If there is a signed and notarized HIPAA Law Waiver giving you or some one else...the legal right to speak to any person in the employ of the hospital, and ask all of the questions you need answered.

These documents are very important, and without them, you or anyone else will not receive any information. I held the Power of Atty over the Health Care for my father. I took over his health care the day before he died. But, I could never ask my father to sign the HIPAA Law Waiver because he was too controlling. I knew how to talk "around" the HIPAA Law with the nurses and my father's cardiac MD. But, no one else would talk with me. My hands were tied and I was frustrated.

It is the HIPAA Law that is going to hold you back from information within the hospital and outside of the hospital with your father's physicians. If he recovers, and I sincerely hope he does, you can down load the HIPAA Waiver, print it and have your father sign it, with a notary present.

You may try speaking with the Unit Supervisor about the staffing situation, but do not be surprised if she states she cannot speak to you about anything regarding the hospital or your father's care. All of this happened in 1996 with Congress passing the HIPAA Law.

I hope another nurse on this site may be able to give you some suggestions. Teresa or Herbal Nurse may see this problem and be able to give you some more suggestions.

God Bless you as you watch over your father...he is very fortunate to have you at his side. Susy