Heart Attack Patient Dies In ER Waiting Room- Ruled a Homicide

Associated Press ^ | 9/16/06 | 60 Gunner

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Sounds like the local VA.

[60Gunner]

"Yea I know about this. It happened in Chicago. Give the family the expected $900,000,000 and forget about it."

But it goes deeper than that, Phibes. The triage RN missed this one and it should have been caught. This is basic stuff, the ABCs. It needs to be addressed so that it doesn't happen again.

[Bogey78O]

I was in an ER twice today(allergic reaction-myself/pain and nasal bleeding-someone else). While I was there there was a sign saying that everyone will be seen on a need basis and not in order of arrival.

Apparently the ER screwed up and downplayed some very serious symptoms. I don't agree with jailtime but I fully back a civil suit.

[baa39]

In my mid-30's I went to E.R. with chest pains and shortness of breath (not the nausea) and could not even get checked in. The place was a madhouse (California of course, but in the suburbs), no nurse would even look me in the eye. After standing there crying for 10 minutes, I finally walked home. Next day saw my doctor, who ran no tests, telling me I was too young for a heart attack, and instead said it must have been a panic attack. I still have never had any sort of a heart exam, although every doctor visit I do report that I intermittently have chest pains. I've been told that maybe if they become worse some futher testing should be done. This has gone on over a period of 8 years now, so I guess I don't have heart problems or I would be dead.

[NinoFan]

I had a similar situation. I thought I was having a heart attack and got a ride to the hospital. They whisked me right back there despite the fact that I was so young at the time that the odds of it being a heart attack (according to the ER doctor) were infintesimal. It turned out to be non-cardiac in origin, BUT it turned out to be something almost as bad - a quickly spreading infection that was in my lungs and bloodstream.

[Bogey78O]

My dad's cousin died almost 3 years ago in his forties. He had a minor heart attack and didn't get treated. A week later a massive heart attack came along and killed him almost instantly.

[Paradox]

Good advice 60Gunner. I am shocked that this could happen, since as you say, the vast majority of ER treat chest pain and other such symptoms VERY seriously. In fact, they will insist on keeping you for observation no matter how good you feel later. I have seen this happen to a couple of people I know who went in for what turned out to be reflux and anxiety.

[buccaneer81]

I still have never had any sort of a heart exam, although every doctor visit I do report that I intermittently have chest pains. I've been told that maybe if they become worse some futher testing should be done. This has gone on over a period of 8 years now, so I guess I don't have heart problems or I would be dead.

You need a cardiac stress test.

[Phibes]

I really appreaciate that since I'm paranoid about dropping dead. There is so much more I have to do yet. Everytime I feel a buzz in my arm I get nervous. I suppose if I cack from something like that, I would rather be asleep and not even know about it.

[Yaelle]

It's sad, but we insured patients have to pay $500 for the ambulance ride, while the illegals ride for free.

[baa39]

I never heard of this, you are saying people pretend to pass out so they can go to the ER? Why? To get attention, get out of an exam, or some such stupid thing? I cannot imagine wanting to go to the E.R. unless really necessary!

[buccaneer81]

It's sad, but we insured patients have to pay $500 for the ambulance ride,

$750 here in Columbus.

[Yaelle]

Your brother? This week? I am so very sorry.

[308MBR]

Dude, I like your profile page. There is some good common sense there. I like the name too.

I must admit I have transported myself to the ER a few times and "fell out" right in front of the admission desk for legitimate reasons (rapid blood loss, relief of having actually made it there, pain from broken bones, etc). Honestly, about all I ever lie about is what I'm running under the hood of my street racer or real racing car.

I do remember one time in Daytona when I had a SEVERE allergy attack, so swollen my mom didn't recognize me when she arrived, that four groups of "minorities" got in ahead of me with conditions of far less lethal potential than I was experiencing.

[umgud]

Aren't you glad this didn't happen to you 75 years ago?

[Lancey Howard]

BUMP

[microgood]

The nursing staff should be charged with depraved indifference to human life and whatever other charges can be filed here. This should have received their immediate attention.

I would recommend to anyone, nurse or doctor, that could be charged criminally if anything did not turn out perfect for every possible scenario, to immediately quit and join some other profession. In this anal retentive age where we expect perfection and want to throw anyone that ticks us off in jail, the worst profession in the world is the medical one.

And as anyone with an IQ of over 5 leaves this profession, do not be surprised when things get a lot worse. In the old days, criminal activity involved intent. In the new Gulag America, it must merely tick someone off.

[baa39]

Thank you bucaneer81! I have written that down. Now that I know the specific name of the test, I can suggest it to the doctor. Thanks!

[60Gunner]

It's AMAZING how many other disorders present like heart attacks, people! Gall bladder disorders, anxiety, pulmonary embolism, hiatal hernia, etc.

Some conditions that present with these symptoms are not life-threatening, and that's what trips many MI victims up. They think it's probably indigestion, their gallbladder acting up, or that they are just upright.

Let me tell you the three most commonly-said final words of a heart attack victim: "IT'S PROBABLY NOTHING."

Here's a word of advice to all of you wonderful people: of you have to tell yourself that it's probably nothing, then chances are that it probably IS something and you'd better take care of it pronto.

So what if you're not sure it's a heart attack? If you are right, you at least get a cardiac workup for future reference and your primary provider will know a lot more about you. You still win in the end.

But what if you're wrong?

Here is the bottom line, dear reader: "When in doubt, come on out." That's why we're here!

[basil]

This sure brings back memories of my days as an RN working in ER's. I once did a stint in the ER at Johns Hopkins. I was always nervous when it was my day to be the triage nurse---always worrying that I was going to miss the BIG ONE! Fortunately, I never did, but in these huge ER's, who's waiting rooms look like Greyhound Station, it is very difficult to climb through all the people out there and try to do a quick assesment.

It would seem to me that whichever person checked this patient in should have been trained to notify the triage nurse immediately--and that nurse should have acted without hesitation to get her back STAT!