Cabot Family Seeks Policy Changes at Arkansas Children's Hospital
By: Deedra Wilson
Updated: October 8, 2012
A Cabot family says they have lost all hope when it comes to getting care for their disabled son after they say a policy at Arkansas Children's Hospital won't allow him to be treated there any longer.
The family says they were told by ACH that a policy stating that anyone over the age of 21 must be transferred to an adult facility, is keeping their adult son from getting the proper care he needs.
"He's changed us and helped guide us."
Mary and Matt Jackson of Cabot can name a number of great things about their son Codi, but what his mom keeps on her mind most of the time, are the things he has to deal with everyday.
"Cerebral Palsy, Osteoporosis, Scoliosis, said Mary Jackson."
Codi is 25, but he's only four foot tall and has the mind and size of a child.
"He laughs, he sings, he plays his little music things, mentally 4 years old, he acts like a 4 year old."
The Jackson's say Codi has spent most of his life in and out of Arkansas Children's Hospital.
"We never had any problems when we walked in that hospital we had hope, said Matt Jackson."
But when Codi turned 21, Matt says he received what he calls disturbing news from ACH.
"Transaction them out of pediatric care to an adult hospital."
"For five years when I walk into the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, my fear is he's never been taken care of to the fullest he needs."
The Jackson's say there is a reason they feel this way.
"UAMS is an adult hospital, they are not equipped to handle children and I use the word child, because of his size, age and his mental abilities at 4 years of age."
"What we need is for Children's to make exceptions, not just for Codi but for any other adult."
Arkansas Children's Hospital emailed this statement saying it's their practice to do the best thing possible for any patient. If medically appropriate, the medical director can recommend that patients over 21 be admitted to ACH.
It goes on to say if the medical director believes the needs of that patient can't be met, they would recommend transferring that patient to another facility, equipped with resources to care for that patient.
And KARK spoke to UAMS that says because of federal privacy laws it can't comment on a specific patient and that UAMS, always has the best interest of their patients at heart and they do what they can
to accommodate special needs.
The family says they were told by ACH that a policy stating that anyone over the age of 21 must be transferred to an adult facility, is keeping their adult son from getting the proper care he needs.
"He's changed us and helped guide us."
Mary and Matt Jackson of Cabot can name a number of great things about their son Codi, but what his mom keeps on her mind most of the time, are the things he has to deal with everyday.
"Cerebral Palsy, Osteoporosis, Scoliosis, said Mary Jackson."
Codi is 25, but he's only four foot tall and has the mind and size of a child.
"He laughs, he sings, he plays his little music things, mentally 4 years old, he acts like a 4 year old."
The Jackson's say Codi has spent most of his life in and out of Arkansas Children's Hospital.
"We never had any problems when we walked in that hospital we had hope, said Matt Jackson."
But when Codi turned 21, Matt says he received what he calls disturbing news from ACH.
"Transaction them out of pediatric care to an adult hospital."
"For five years when I walk into the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, my fear is he's never been taken care of to the fullest he needs."
The Jackson's say there is a reason they feel this way.
"UAMS is an adult hospital, they are not equipped to handle children and I use the word child, because of his size, age and his mental abilities at 4 years of age."
"What we need is for Children's to make exceptions, not just for Codi but for any other adult."
Arkansas Children's Hospital emailed this statement saying it's their practice to do the best thing possible for any patient. If medically appropriate, the medical director can recommend that patients over 21 be admitted to ACH.
It goes on to say if the medical director believes the needs of that patient can't be met, they would recommend transferring that patient to another facility, equipped with resources to care for that patient.
And KARK spoke to UAMS that says because of federal privacy laws it can't comment on a specific patient and that UAMS, always has the best interest of their patients at heart and they do what they can
to accommodate special needs.
Comments
UAMS is full of it, they are just out for the almighty dollar and if you don't have insurance, they could really care less, and I say this from experience with my own family members care there.
melinda b.
October 8, 2012 at 7:12 pm
