Case Reviews
A Tough Night at Kopanong Hospital
Mrs. Y had a rough evening on May 14, 2025, when she went to the emergency unit at Kopanong Hospital with a severely swollen left hand/arm and a bunch of other complaints. She has a history of COPD, hyperthyroidism with thyroid nodules, hypertension, and tachycardia.
The blood test results from February 2025 showed her TSH levels were sky-high at 21.79 (normal is 0.27 – 4.2) and her T4 was low at 8.4 (normal is 10.16 – 22.0). Despite being on Carbimaxole (4 tablets daily) for her hyperthyroidism, the tests indicated she had swung to hypothyroidism.
The hospital informed her that they wouldn’t investigate the thyroid nodules further due to budget constraints, prioritizing younger patients instead. They incorrectly advised her to increase her Carbimaxole to 6 tablets per day.
Feeling that her other severe symptoms were ignored, Mrs. Y called Medi-COP for help. Their doctor immediately advised her to decrease the Carbimaxole dosage and follow up with her regular doctor. Thankfully, her symptoms started improving right away after adjusting the medication.
A Patient's Journey: Hemochromatosis Treatment Delays
Mrs. X was admitted on April 8, 2025, with severe hepatitis and high iron levels, leading to a diagnosis of hemochromatosis. Despite needing urgent phlebotomy, she was discharged on April 17 without treatment.
After waiting for a week, Mrs. X contacted her specialist and the blood bank, but was told to wait for a call. Frustrated, she reached out to Medi-COP on April 29. Medi-COP discovered the blood bank was waiting for a referral letter and quickly coordinated with the specialist’s practice. Within 30 minutes, the referral was sent, and Mrs. X received her phlebotomy the same day.
Thanks to Medi-COP’s intervention, Mrs. X now receives her treatments regularly and on time. This case underscores the importance of timely communication in healthcare.