I took a friend to the emergency room at 3am Saturday morning.

[Are_grits_groceries]

Since I have become a vampire,I was up filing my fangs when the phone rang. When I saw the name on caller id,I knew this would not be a happy call whatever it was.

When I answered, I heard her gasping in pain and asking me to take her to the hospital. I live about 4 blocks away, so I threw on some jeans and such and raced over to her house.

When I got out, I could hear her moaning at the back door. I practically carried her to the car. I put my hazard lights on and took off. I know it's a small town because there was NOBODY on the roads. I went through 5 red lights after checking for oncoming cars or whatever.

As I am Pettying my way around town, she is doubled over and screaming at a couple of points. Whatever the hell is going on could range from deadly to extremely painful but not fatal. I talk to her as best I can.

So we get to the hospital and I run in and tell the mooks standing around that I have someone in my car who has back and chest pains who can't walk. They looked at me with no reaction and none of them made one move. I have dealt with this hospital before and the care has a wide range of care.

I so wanted to look around and ask them if I was in the Emergency Room or had I wandered into the 'I Don't Give A F***' Room by mistake. I bit my tongue because I needed their help, but I could feel the sparks in my hair starting.

A guard finally moseyed out to the car and helped her into a wheelchair. Not a medical person had made a move. He rolled her over to the window where you give the info and s****. Now mind you, she is moaning loudly this entire time. She lays her head down on the counter as they twiddle around and try to get her to sign whatever. She can't even hold the pen. Finally that's done.

At this point, my hair is on fire and I am about to bite my tongue in half. I am beyond the raised voice stage and into the deadliest look and voice I have. I know if they get pissed , it won't help but they are mooking around.

I mosey over to one of the medical peeps and with my death stare on quietly inform her that if my friend gets a lot worse or gawd forbid, doesn't make it, every single one of them will be talking to a lawyer. I told her I had a video of it on my camera phone. I had no such a thing but I had help my cell phone up like I was doing something.

That imperceptibly sped them up. I wanted to yell 'What the F*** is an emergency around here.' I have had to go to a hospital twice with major pain. I was immediately put on a stretcher and they were taking my bp and setting up an EKG. It turned out to be a kidney stone one time and inflamed rib cartilage the other. I didn't care if I died or not.

Finally they took blood and some vital signs. Then they rolled her back out into the waiting room. My friend is moaning, bent over, and holding a barf bag that she'd had to use. I am taking notes and names while talking to her. I am thinking that I have to have gone through some portal into another dimension.

It gets better. While sitting there, the medical receptionist or whatever she is asks my friend if she needs a new barf bag. My friend manages to nod so she goes to get one. She comes back and on the way picks up a trash can sitting in the waiting room. The barf bag is dropped in it while I am thinking 'She is not going to leave it in the waiting room. Tell me she isn't.' She did. I told my friend that she better not have any highly contagious illness or the fur would fly.

At this point, the pain subsided thank gawd. I am think kidney stone or something. She has had problems eating and with pain for a while. She is telling me the extent of it which she has kept from everybody. Her doctors don't appear to be in any hurry either.

Finally they roll her to a bed. Eventually the doctor finds his way in. He is very good with the listening hooha, but at this point I don't like anything. I smile though. They agree to do a CT scan. That was actually done fairly quickly. The doctor returned with the results not long after too.

It turns out she has a very large cyst on an ovary. She needs to go see her Ob/Gyn immediately to have it checked. The dreaded 'C' word was mentioned. Luckily she had an appointment Monday to see him.

She has had problems since JANUARY of 2012. Her GP an other doctors kept telling her to use antacids and more fiber. Why they had not done a CT scan before now is another medical mystery. I would like to lay waste to all of them.

At any rate, whatever is going on could still range from deadly to painful but treatable. I am a cynic and don't care for anything I have heard. We'll find out soon enough.

I may have misjudged and been out of line. I.Don't.Care!

She could use any prayers and thoughts. Me? I am way beyond help in that department.

[newfie11]

1. Horrible

I hope there is another hospital near you. I sure wouldn't go to this one.

[Heidi]

2. Sending good thoughts for your friend.

You're a good friend.

Good morning, A_g_g!

[FleetwoodMac]

3. Give yourself a couple of pats on the shoulder, and I'm wishing some luck over to your friend..(NT)

[intaglio]

4. Sounds like her GP diagnosed her with "Woman Problems"

Because for years doctors have discounted what women are saying rather than, you know, actually doing there job.

Oh, and I first heard about that from my father who loathed that sort of lazy medical practice in his colleagues.

[missingthebigdog]

28. That's called "gynevision"

It is an amazing phenomenon in which any symptoms complained of by a woman are automatically attributed to some issue with the female anatomy.

The behavior of the staff in this case was beyond reprehensible. Any mention of chest pain should have gotten her hooked up to an EKG, then whisked away for chest X-ray. Only after ruling out heart or lung involvement should they have moved on to other possibilities. The fact that she has an ovarian cyst does not mean that was causing her symptoms.

[Squinch]

31. Absolutely. In case of any further emergencies, it might be worth traveling further to another

hospital if there are any available within a reasonable distance. It sounds like the extra trip might be less than the wait time in this dump.

Can't believe the merest mention of chest pain didn't galvanize them.

[Daemonaquila]

45. I only wish it was that simple.

Sorry, I have to disagree. With thousands of clients mistreated over the years, gender, symptoms, and body parts have little to do with it. Rather, some medical staff look for a minor complaint with similar symptoms and try to write it off as that and boot the patient out without any work up that might prove them wrong. I've seen a bleeding incision (internal) and peritonitis (in a male) written off as gas. Heart attack (both genders equally) discharged with a diagnosis of reflux. Seizures, stroke, and even relatively advanced syphillis (both genders) sent away without workup as migraines. A bleeding aorta (female) and sepsis (male) sent home as routine post-surgical pain. While men and women may receive different interpersonal treatment, which is unacceptable, the malpractice is equally received by both... and it's rampant.

[GreenPartyVoter]

58. That's just terrifying! :^(

[freshwest]

80. They got some of that from Freud. Any pain a woman has is Hysteria. Women are just nuts, see?

It's infuriating and makes women not go to get treatment. Why bother when you will be humiliated and sent away?

[davidpdx]

85. I've had an experience like this

Well not me, but it was my girlfriend at the time (I was with her). This was way back when I was in college. This actually did have to do with her menstruation as she got really bad cramps. I had been watching her for some time just doubled over crying and finally told her I'm taking you to the hospital. The doctor was a real dick and I was quite pissed. As a male I gained a better understanding of just how much pain women go through.

[CountAllVotes]

5. Jesus, this is horrible

And as far as I can tell, these morons at the ER could have given a sh*t about your friend. As for your friend, I hope they find out what is wrong with her.

It could be an ovarian cyst which is a very painful thing.

Thank god it was not diverticulitis and the pain was the sort that required immediate surgery!

As for your friend I wish her the best and she is very lucky to have a friend like YOU! to you and one for your friend too ...

[Selatius]

6. Sad that we're the richest nation in the world with medical infrastructure this badly run. nt

[CountAllVotes]

8. it is getting worse IMO

The whole health care system is going to hell in a handbasket!

Many changes this year for me and none of them are any good at all UNLESS you happen to be a member of the upper crust!

I'm sickened by the care people receive and the greed the goes with the care that is/is not received. I recently had an ER bill myself, $3,000.00 and I was given ONE pain pill and they put an IV in me for no damn reason at all but to DRAW BLOOD . Bastards, all of them. Greedy fucking bastards that have zero compassion for anything close to be human. Bunch of perverts on top of it IMO. again.

[Selatius]

10. Personally, I think the ACA merely forestalled the collapse of the health care system.

Instead of the whole system going into systemic shock and then crash in about a decade, it'll be two decades, maybe three. At that point, people would be screaming either for a Public Option, which was deleted in the Senate negotiations, or all-out Medicare For All because the system would become so prohibitively expensive for every day people. Of course, the rich could afford to pay for good medical care at any rate, but middle class folks would get treated the same way as the poor and destitute would. It seems, sadly, the only respect people get in a system dominated by money is determined by the quality of attorney you could afford to have on retainer.

[CountAllVotes]

12. the rich don't have to worry about stupid things like Medicare

I'm seriously wondering how much longer Medicare will be around. Every year it is less and less benefits and bigger costs.

As for Medicare D, that right there is the biggest rip-off of the lot. I've yet to see such refined greed in my life time.

We need Healthcare for All, screw this Medicare for All crap. It is not so damn hot, believe me!

[truebluegreen]

87. I agree that the ACA is just a bandaid on a festering wound. nt

[FarPoint]

40. They did that to my daughter ...

Started an IV with a blood draw. The nurse was nice...only one stick. They do the IV since they have to stick anyways for blood..may as well have the IV ready if needed. Made sense.

[FarPoint]

65. Ohhh Boy...

What a mess!

[CountAllVotes]

66. yep sheer arrogance

My personal physician did not like this one bit and advised me to contest the whole episode. They did not even bother to send the results of 7 huge blood draws to my doctor and there seems to be no record of this event. I have the bill that was paid by MEDICARE who I also contacted and told them that my physician told me that this should have never been done to me and that it was unethical, esp. being I never got the ultrasound done and still have not had it done as of this writing.

It sickens me and no, I'll never to go the ER again out of FEAR that they will try to do this to me again.

I hope I just die. That would be a far better solution as far as I am concerned.

Living with MS is not easy and as I'm aging it is getting worse.

I lost the hearing in my left ear a few days ago and no, I'm not going to the damn ER because of them and all of their needles. is damn sight right.

[FarPoint]

70. I have a friend with MS.

Last edited Fri Feb 15, 2013, 09:35 PM - Edit history (1)

They give a drug called Tysarbi once a month at the clinic. She said it is her life line.

[magical thyme]

48. The IV was put in "just in case" the doctor ordered IV something

They draw blood once they've put it in so they won't have to stick you again.

I know it is inconvenient and painful, but the nurse who put the IV in honestly expected it would be used for its intended purpose.

In all likelihood, your CBC and chemistries didn't show a need for IV something.

That said, the healthcare system in this country is a major fuckup and is sadistic. And yes, getting worse if that's possible.

[CountAllVotes]

64. It is fucked up

read my other post ... too tired to retype.

[mrs_p]

7. dispicable

No compassion and no professionalism. I would definitely send a letter to the hospital administration if so incllined.

I've had a ruptured cyst and the pain was worse than childbirth. Thoughts and prayers to your friend.

[Habibi]

9. I'm so sorry, agg

I recently had a similar lazy-diagnosis experience that resulted in pretty significant disability. Thankfully I got myself to a good doc and received the care I needed.

There is simply no excuse for that kind of attitude in a hospital. If they can't bring themselves to care for the sick people who come to them for help, do they not care about their reputation at all? Or are they like the old phone company joke: We don't care, we don't have to, we're the phone company!

Sending positive healing vibes to your friend, and gratitude to you.

I think a letter to the editor might be in order, yes? A little negative publicity might light a teeny fire under the hospital administration's ass.

[Freddie]

11. Suspicious of anyone in severe pain

Unfortunately when someone presents at the ER in severe pain, many medical professionals automatically suspect that he or she is a drug addict looking for pain meds. This does happen but it's no excuse to treat anyone the way your friend was treated.

[Are_grits_groceries]

13. I looked less than reputable,

but I don't care if I had a clown suit on, they should take no chances. In addition, she had insurance, so they weren't going to be stuck with a whole bill if we did boogie.
And they can take care of that pain med problem. If after she is checked, don't give her any.

[FarPoint]

61. I'm sensing you really are grateful for the successful outcome.

Sounds like a very stressful and traumatic misadventure.,,,you are a survivor.

[hunter]

52. Something similar happened to me.

Many years ago I was by all appearances "tripping out" and ended up in the university urgent care clinic where they treated me just like any other kid having a bad experience with street drugs.

It took them a while to figure out that my vacation from reality was an uncommon side effect of one of my prescriptions. But until then my medical care was less than optimal.

Our society has a strongly judgmental component. In situations of medical triage professionals are tempted to let "deserving vs. undeserving" color their decisions. Those classified as undeserving, even subconsciously, are less likely to get appropriate care.

[Drunken Irishman]

14. Wait, you're a vampire?

[Are_grits_groceries]

15. Yep.

Never see the light of day.

[Drunken Irishman]

16. How's that work?

[Are_grits_groceries]

17. My brother brings me what I need.

I'm a Southern vampire so I can substitute gravy for blood.

[Drunken Irishman]

19. Blood probably has less calories.

[druidity33]

24. More protein too. nt.

[whistler162]

46. I thought it was Grits for Southern vampires....

[Are_grits_groceries]

51. Too thick. nt

[xchrom]

18. du rec. nt

[SemperEadem]

21. I'll bet they thought that she was drunk

that's the way hospitals esteem anyone who comes in without the use of an ambulance.

I once went in with what turned out to be severe vertigo--I'd never had that happen to me ever in life and was scared to death. One of the first things I was asked by the non-plussed medical tech was if I had been drinking. I went totally off on him--he said "I had to ask". I said "DO I SMELL LIKE I HAVE BEEN DRINKING?"

You weren't out of line... they needed to get the brunt of your ire for their laziness and unprofessionalism. Quite frankly, it's too bad you didn't have your cell phone out recording them. Screw the media--that should have gone straight to YouTube.

[diabeticman]

22. Sounds like Jameson hospital in New Castle. I'll keep your friend in my thoughts.

[Separation]

23. Tip for the future.

If you or your friend has insurance, call 911 and have them/you transported by ambulance. Obviously only in serious situations, which this sounded. The speed and amount of care that you receive when entering via ambulance rather than car is rediculous. I hope your friend gets better, my daughter had those cysts thing and they lasered em off.

[geckosfeet]

26. As long as the insurance covers the ride - ambulance trips are VERY costly.

[Are_grits_groceries]

30. I thought about that.

I guessed it would have been different, but it shouldn't be.

[dkf]

42. Good to know. Thanks.

[geckosfeet]

25. Wishingthe best. Lucky there was an emergency room there at all, too bad for

the lackluster response....

[sorefeet]

27. Took my landlord in with his hand

the size of a football. He had been bitten by a rattle snake. They refused anti venom until they checked his blood for drugs. They said between the knuckles is popular spot for junkies. He is a big over weight farmer. Not even close to a druggie.

[malaise]

29. I hope it's treatable

What an experience

[greytdemocrat]

32. Reading...

"Since I have become a vampire" was an experience!!!!

[malaise]

39. No - the entire experience in the emergency room

and her friend's health crisis

[cate94]

33. You are a good friend

Thankfully you were there for her. I've had ovarian cysts and they are excruciating. So sorry for her. I hope it turns out to be a non-cancerous situation.

Do you have a good local paper? This might be a great story for them. There is no excuse for the lack of professionalism that you witnessed.

I think you were right to hold your tongue so your friend would get help, but I don't know how you managed it. The cell phone - film - threat was totally brilliant.

[spooky3]

75. Exactly my thought--and I hope I can be as clear thinking as grits

If ever in the same situation.

Grits, Thanks for being there and for sharing your story. Take care of yourself.

[narnian60]

34. As I read your story I kept thinking about my husband

who has no patience whatsoever when it comes to stupid people. They would have called security on him and then would have taken their anger out on me, the patient.

[undeterred]

35. Usually bodily emissions gets them to take someone out of the waiting area pretty quickly

whether its serious or not. Blood, vomit, etc.

Pain, not so much.

[blueamy66]

49. The triage nurse wouldn't let me back with my fiancé....

She was just going to draw blood then he'd be right out to the waiting room....yeah sure....I waited by the door until I knew that he had vomited blood....then she opened the door and let me go back with him to a bed. She was cold and I got her name. I'm sick of ER workers that have lost their compassion and empathy.

[undeterred]

50. That's awful.

I used to have to go to the ER with migraine headaches that were unbearable. I learned to go to small hospital ERs where I would be seen faster and the staff were nicer. But in those days insurance allowed more of a choice.

[blueamy66]

53. Yeah it was awful. I knew what was wrong with him.

I told her what was wrong with him and his history....she didn't want to hear it.

You're right about smaller hospitals. I won't go back to that one again.

[CountAllVotes]

67. they are disgusting people I agree!

I had yet another episode not long ago prior to the one I mention earlier. I ended up at the ER *again* after taking a bad fall.

And ... I had to pee and pee badly having drank a few cups of coffee earlier.

The nurse at the ER was a young man/kid (IMO) and he wanted to put a catheter in me rather than a bed pan! I told him that it was not that difficult of a thing to do, use a bed pan.

I could tell by the look on his face that he was looking for a cheap thrill out of this whole thing. Alas, he backed off and I got the bed pan except he failed to put it under me and piss was all over everything thanks to this fool.

After that I was sent to x-ray and the man there couldn't figure out why everything was all wet.

I was too embarrassed to tell him why everything was all wet.

I should have said, "Everything is all wet because I had to pee and your nurse working in the ER doesn't seem to have mastered the task of using a bed pan."

I left humiliated and no, I won't ever go there again. I really hope I just die the next time such a need emerges. I can't take any more of this crap or this disease. I'm done.

[blueamy66]

69. I'm sorry.

I hope that you don't have to go through that again.

[siligut]

36. Best wishes for your friend

Write a level-headed letter to the hospital administrator. Emergency rooms are known for long waits and indifferent staff, but this sounds over-the-top.

Be specific and concise in your complaint and voice your concerns as a consumer.

Also consider going here. http://www.jointcommission.org/report_a_complaint.aspx

[Are_grits_groceries]

37. Thanks!

I'll take the basics I wrote here and leave out the snark.

[siligut]

38. Exactly what I had in mind

Presentation is worth 75%, actual content that could mean repercussions 25% and dependent upon presentation.

[kestrel91316]

60. Complaining to the hospital board won't scare the staff into

at least ACTING like they care. But a very calm, firm, well-reasoned formal complaint to the medical board (re physicians) and nursing board (re nurses) will.

[CountAllVotes]

68. you can hope

I tried, believe me, I tried and I got NOWHERE. I doubt the OP would have had any better luck but it is perhaps worth a try if the OP and the friend care to pursue it. The friend may be too sick to pursue it. They count on this, believe me. Bastards.

[nadinbrzezinski]

41. Different medical culture I guess

I remember more than once the Private Car, screeching tires and all, coming to the ER. That always led to a full mobilization by MEDTECHS. These ranged from a top to bottom initial survey, including a set of vitals, to whatever was needed. Medical patients moved to gurney or wheelchair, Trauma getting the full extrication they would in the Field, C-Spine and all.

I guess the Mexican Red Cross has a different culture coming from volunteerism. We just were jumpy, some would accuse us of very jumpy. (Some f e American volunteers were in for a culture shock)

I drove my dad with a lower GI bleed to the local university hospital. My mom was not impressed. We flew, emergency mind you, after they let him out, to Cleveland for the treatment needed. It helps when bro is one of their top doctors.

[Daemonaquila]

43. Don't second guess yourself - you were spot on!

Misjudged? Been out of line? No, no, no. The symptoms you describe could match a variety of potentially fatal problems, as well as much less severe ones. Nobody knows until they check her out appropriately.

I keep saying it over and over - at least 70-80% of my disabled clients are disabled not because of their underlying illness or injury, but because of terrible medical care that exacerbates the condition or allows it to ravage the patient before someone finally gets a clue. You did the right thing. Without someone to advocate for her, what might have happened? She might have been sent home with antacids and pain meds. That's anything but far-fetched. That's been the fate even of a client of mine who was bleeding heavily into an ostomy bag, while shaking with pain and vomiting. Another client with type I diabetes kept being written off as a "noncompliant" (well obviously, since his glucose wasn't in control - it couldn't possibly be the doctors' fault or treating it wrong!) type II diabetic, and was sent home from ER or early from an admission with raging pancreatitis and a galloping infection. I could write stories of medical incompetence all night, so good on you! You did perfectly. Don't ever let the "expertise" of the medical establishment stop you fom saving a friend - if not thir life, per se, at least weeks or months of suffering.

[theaocp]

44. Your friend is lucky to have you for a friend.

I'm sure this would've been much worse with Medicare for all.

[Strelnikov_]

47. The American Medical-Industrial complex

First world medicine, Soviet style service and bureaucracy.

[AndyA]

54. Will keep your friend in my prayers

How lucky she has someone like you to turn to when she needs help, you are a good friend.

Emergency rooms can be so frustrating! Perhaps we expect them to run around like crazy because that's what they do on all the television shows. I know that would not help, and hospital personnel have to maintain their cool in a crisis, but is moving with a sense of urgency such a bad thing?

Seconds count, depending on what's wrong. Without seeing the patient, they have no idea what might be the matter.

Health care in America...

Let us know how your friend is doing. I'll bookmark this thread, if you'll keep it updated or link to a new thread if you start one.

[Are_grits_groceries]

57. ok nt

[GreenPartyVoter]

55. Unbelievable! So much for the Hippocratic oath. :^(

I hope your friend is doing better and will finally get good treatment for the correct problem!

[riverbendviewgal]

56. You gave us all an important message

which is to pay attention to your body's pain.

I cut out some of your story and kept the parts about what your friend was diagnosed with and forwarded to my friends.
and how the doctors' tend to give advice like they did to your friend for over a year


Pay attention to your body. My late husband insisted he had a lump near his belly button and the GP said it was just stress and felt nothing. After the 3rd visit the GP had a CT done. I will never forget the look on the GP's face when he looked at the scan for the FIRST time while we were his office. There WAS a lump on the screen. My husband had Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma it turns out.

There were still screw ups and he got surgery instead of a biopsy. and the chemo and rad were delayed a few months because he had to go a round of doctors first. Finally when his belly started looking like a 9 month old pregnant woman my husband insisted he be sent to the same cancer center our son was going to for a brain tumor. The GP, hematologist and surgeons wanted to start right away after hearing my husband wanted to change physicians but hubby would not consent. He did get to see the head hematologist at the cancer center our son was going to and started chemo the same day he saw the specialist.

We learned the hard way, doctors are not gods.

[Sivafae]

62. No Doctors are not god, but boy howdy do they think they are.

[spooky3]

76. [phone] - and get a colonoscopy if you're

Supposed to--the preparation is unpleasant but no worse than having a bad stomach flu for a day or so. The procedure itself is nothing because you're knocked out. It saves lives!

[southernyankeebelle]

59. You should not have to put up with that kind of treatment. You can call the

Patient complaint office. Every hospital has one. I would also write a letter to the editor so it could be posted. Something like about but shorter and to the point. Then send a copy to the chief of the hospital. That will help am sure. You don't have to use your friend's name.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

71. That's our fucked-up, private, for-profit, inefficient, expensive

sociopathic "healthcare" system in this bassackwards country.

I wish your friend the best and a quick resolution in spite of it.

[nolabear]

72. Where are you? I've never had anything like that kind of experience.

Got a husband with heart issues and a son who is young and tatted and has a problem that makes him retch his guts out about twice a year, always resulting in ER and hospitalization, and I have never had an experience anything like that. Nor have I seen one. I know people sometimes have to wait absurd lengths of time (I have, for a bad but clearly non life threatening issue) but that level of dismissiveness and callousness is outside any experience I've ever had in four major cities.

Where is this place? I want to steer clear.

[Blue_In_AK]

73. I had a ruptured ovarian cyst one time.

It hurt like hell. I'm so sorry about your friend. I hope she'll be okay.

[glinda]

88. Me too. In fact I was misdiagnosed concerning that also back in the 70's.

It crazy hurts and is dangerous when it bursts. One time during one of the "two" misdiagnosis, they just shot me up with morphine.

[Blue_In_AK]

89. I wasn't diagnosed right away either.

It's been many years ago, also probably in the '70's.

[LiberalEsto]

74. Bless you for what you did - you are an amazing friend

Many years ago, early 1980s, I collapsed in downtown New Brunswick NJ, where I worked, because of unbelievable pain in my lower left abdomen. Just fell down while waking on a sidewalk. Nothing like that had ever happened to me before.

Turned out out be an ovarian cyst. It went away on its own, fortunately.

[Warpy]

77. 99% of what happens in an ER or any other part of a hospital

is invisible. Everything seems to move at a glacial pace unless you've worked in one. If you've worked in one, you've wished for roller skates.

Her regular doc is the one who needs a few new orifices reamed out, but even he might have had his hands tied by insurance company bullshit. Her care was substandard.

[Junkdrawer]

79. I posted this about staff cuts earlier:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022346858

The deepest cuts were in that unseen 99%

[Warpy]

81. We saw a huge increase in hospital acquired infections

every time the profit-driven CEO (and it was a non profit hospital) got a bug up his ass and cut housekeeping staff.

By the time I left, everybody needed roller skates. That place had gotten brutal.

[Junkdrawer]

83. As I said on the linked thread, a bonus-mad upper level admin destroyed....

(no other word suffices) one of the finest transplant programs in the country (if not the world).

Result: He got an $800,000 bonus.

Actual sequence of events:

1.) Shit for brains cuts staff and removes world's finest transplant surgeon from leadership.

2.) Profits temporarily soars due to labor savings

3.) Shit for brains gets $800,000 bonus

4.) Effects of staff cuts come home to roost

5.) Mass exodus of all the best people

6.) I see writing on wall and leave too

7.) Survivability drops to 50%

8.) Patients flee

9.) Program now in deep trouble with regulatory agencies

Ain't short term thinking grand?

[Warpy]

84. The same thing plus new guidelines

cost my hospital the heart transplant program although they still do kidneys. How long they'll do them is anyone's guess.

Staff burnout is a massive problem that Mister CEO completely ignores as he rakes in bonus after bonus.

[Junkdrawer]

86. Wonder how many other once proud American "industries"....

have followed similar arcs?????

Many I'll wager.

[Are_grits_groceries]

90. I know that any ER has a lot of things going on that I can't see.

Even at that though with the symptoms she was presenting, there should have been much quicker care.

Her doctors are the ones who deserve the most blame. If it does turn out to be very serious, it's on their heads. Most people know that catching problems early can be key. They missed that boat.

The ER staff has to answer for that immediate incident.

[Lithos]

78. Please let us know how this goes

It sounds like the beginning of a journey and given the bad introduction, not an easy one.

As for the hospital, the amount of care is a reflection of the real charter given by the "chartered" accountants.

L-

[REP]

82. Because ovarian cysts "don't hurt" is the commonly accepted bullshit

I arrived in an ER in arrhythmia, thinking my appendix had ruptured. It was an ovarian cyst. Some of the worst pain I've ever been in, and I have chronic kidney stones.

My GYN knows they can and do hurt, so I'm not treated like I'm insane, but the first doc I saw for follow up basically asked while I was wasting his time with my cysts.

[Le Taz Hot]

91. OK, I know this isn't meant to be funny but,

"I so wanted to look around and ask them if I was in the Emergency Room or had I wandered into the 'I Don't Give A F***' Room by mistake. I bit my tongue because I needed their help, but I could feel the sparks in my hair starting. "

You so sound like me.

Seriously, though, I've been in those situations in an ER and wondered if somebody died in the waiting room, how many "medical professionals" would step over the body before they noticed it was dead? I can never wrap my head around the complete indifference so many of these people have to pain, suffering, and fear.

Sending good vibes to you and your friend.
LTH

[ReverendDeuce]

92. I hear these things and I wonder if we have the full story...

Both my wife and I have had to use the ER at different hospitals in entirely different cities within the last six months.

Mine was for a broken ankle, and her issue turned out to be a non-issue.

So for her, she drove herself to the hospital with chest pains and walked in and immediately was rushed off to a room and was swarmed by medical technicians. Scans, blood work, everything was done quickly and efficiently. It turned out she had some very potent acid reflux from eating something different the night before. Nobody asked for paperwork or insurance information until she was considered "stable."

For me, ankle snapped and we called 911. Amberlamps came and took me to the hospital in the city we were staying in. Rushed into ER, x-rays, and the master orthopedic surgeons descended with their contraptions and pokers. Only once it was deemed that I was able to think straight was I asked for insurance information.

Was your experience not in the United States?

[Are_grits_groceries]

93. That's debatable to some.

It's in SC.

[Rider3]

94. My opinion...

Is that people who work in the medical field have seen so much that they have become immune to others' pain and agony. It's a pretty sad thing.