Sad to say this South Central Los Angeles hospital has a long history of unbelievably horrible incidents, which is why their accreditation was yanked in the first place after multiple warnings. This was a case of neighborhood “feelgoodism” over competence, with both the local politicians and community refusing to hear criticism of “their” hospital until it was way too late.
I’ve been in the ER and dealt with people who complain and seem to have nothing wrong, even scream and shout that they are being discriminated against or refused care because they’re not getting exactly what they decided they want. Yes, it is very irritating. However, my cardinal rule is: “If they annoy me, work them up twice as carefully” because otherwise I’m going to miss something someday because I’m irritated at the patient. I’ve gritted my teeth through it many times, but also blessed that rule a time or two - kept me from dismissing someone with a serious problem that took some digging to find.
Good for you. The article says this lady had been there 3 times in 3 days. It sounds as if she had a history of gallstones. If she ever got past the triage nurse in any of her three visits the ER doctor should have at minimum checked out her gallbladder and appendix. I'm very curious about her treatment on her prior two visits. A perforated bowel would have shown free fluid on a CT and if treated emergently she might still be alive.
Have you really thought through the implications of this? That you give half as careful a work-up to people who behave in a civilized manner, because you've spent your time giving double (read: thorough) care to people who are being belligerent and making false accusations against the hospital staff? Gee, maybe I should keep that in mind next time I land in an ER. To get a really thorough work-up, I should scream and yell, be disruptive, make false accusations against the staff . . . even though I'd much rather be courteous and civilized.
“I’ve gritted my teeth through it many times, but also blessed that rule a time or two - kept me from dismissing someone with a serious problem that took some digging to find.”
God Bless you.