This time he collapsed in the cafeteria of a VA hospital - 500 yards away from the Emergency Room. He died waiting 20 minutes for an ambulance to arrive to take him to the ER in the next building.
A veteran who collapsed in an Albuquerque Veteran Affairs hospital cafeteria — 500 yards from the emergency room — died after waiting around 20 minutes for an ambulance, officials confirmed Thursday.
It took between 15 and 20 minutes for the ambulance to be dispatched and take the man from one building to the other, which is about a five-minute walk, officials at the hospital said.
Kirtland Air Force Medical Group personnel performed CPR until the ambulance arrived, VA spokeswoman Sonja Brown said. ... Paul Bronston, a California emergency-room physician and chair of Ethics and Professional Policy Committee of the American College of Medical Quality, said it may sound ridiculous that staff had to call 911 but that practice is the standard at hospitals. Typically, an ambulance would arrive faster, and other factors can stall workers trying to rush patients to the emergency room on foot, he said.
"The question I would have (is) ... was there an AED (automated external defibrillator) on site as required?" he said. Bronston said 90 percent of those who collapse are afflicted by heart problems and an AED could help them.
It was not known what caused the man to collapse or whether an AED was nearby.
I have a long time friend who was/is using the VA for his medical needs. About 5 years ago, it was discovered that he had prostate cancer. The Doctors said there was nothing to worry about. PSA levels were below the point to start any treatment. Same response on his regular visits since the diagnosis.
Last month he began hurting in his back and side. Badly enough that he couldn't get relief from over the counter medications. Just this past Tuesday, he found out that the cancer has spread throughout his body and is at this point terminal.
I've often heard that Military Doctors were Military Doctors because they weren't good enough to have their own private practice. I'm beginning to think that Veterans Administration Doctors are Military Doctor rejects.
I have a long time friend who was/is using the VA for his medical needs. About 5 years ago, it was discovered that he had prostate cancer. The Doctors said there was nothing to worry about. PSA levels were below the point to start any treatment. Same response on his regular visits since the diagnosis.
Last month he began hurting in his back and side. Badly enough that he couldn't get relief from over the counter medications. Just this past Tuesday, he found out that the cancer has spread throughout his body and is at this point terminal.
I've often heard that Military Doctors were Military Doctors because they weren't good enough to have their own private practice. I'm beginning to think that Veterans Administration Doctors are Military Doctor rejects.
I'm sorry to hear that. A dear friend's father died about a year ago due to VA incompetence. I won't go into details, but essentially they ignored his symptoms and sent him home. Basically said take some aspirin and call me if it doesn't get better. I personally know too many people with similar stories. It's not just a news or political issue to me.
Here in California, the paramedics will often drive right by the scene of an accident without stopping as people are waving at them to stop. They are required to be dispatched to the call.....not just take it upon themselves to respond. That is why the VA hospital mentioned that they have to call for an ambulance. It's all about this lovely sue happy state.
I am starting to get a "whatever" going in my head. There must be something I do not understand besides the shameful failure of the government to follow threw on their agreements, nothing new. Why not go outside the "system" that is supposed to be there and get what you need? Today I see this as government health care, some tomorrow later, all USA healthcare. The entire congress and their family should be limited to the same system and then maybe changes for the better would happen.
As the guy that had his draft registration card lost on the return trip in the postal system and was told that I am disqualified for training opportunities and jobs because of it, I am already a bit bitter of the government promise of fair treatment.
