Hospital Policies for Visitors, Not Patients?

Thanks to all of the sue happy people out there, hospitals have to cover their butts too! The hospital where I work had a similar incident but it happened on the medical side of the hospital and we called 911 and an ambulance came and brought the person around to the ER. I thought it was the weirdest thing, but like Sheila said, they have to follow protocol or they will be sued. Thanks to all of you who have sued over the smallest thing!!

You can blame the Damn judges and all the lawsuits filed against people and drs . Oh and mostly that dumb chick who burnt her crotch with the coffee from McDonalds. That is what started this. People suing for things they should not and getting awarded money that they do not deserve especially when they were at fault. People need to go back and take responsibility for their own actions. And actually be accountable. It has made policy's to protect the hospitals and with that, their rules say "have to come in ambulance" even if on property. It sucks. I wish things would go back to normal. But that does not seem likely at this point.

The Hypocratic Oath is quietly being replaced by the fear of legal ramifications for actions.

The whole Health Care Reform debate is a big can of worms, and I don't think the public really understands everything. What most people read and believe is only a small portion of it. Tort Reform is a HUGE issue - it's basically the ability of lawyers to sue physicians. John Edwards, former Presidential candidate, made his millions off of being a Malpractice Attorney.

My guess, in this situation, is that the hospital has distinct policies in place regarding employed vs. non-employed staff taking such measures. Common sense and general courtesy would make you believe someone would step in regardless.

But, ask your physicians what the largest driver regarding their medical decisions is, and I'm guessing malpractice will be in the top 3.

This story is really sad and sheds light on major issues currently going on in our health care system. I personally don't believe the bill passed by congress will do anything to address issues such as these, and I am very concerned about all the people who will not be able to find medical care because there simply aren't enough physicians and health providers to cover everyone.

I just saw a story similiar to this on the news. Yes, I do believe that in some hospitals, the Drs. must wait for 911 to be dispatched due to insurance/law suit issues. So, sooo sad. Totally against the oath they took in order to become the titles they hold, but for them, it's a catch 22. :(

If it's not their patient and they are on duty, they are not a good samaritan, so no, they cannot randomly help someone. Nothing was signed, their butts are not covered - doctors do not make the money they used to and ER docs are among the lowest paid. Thanks to managed care and high insurance premiums, doctors do have limits and the proper channels must be followed. Sadly, this person was not their patient. It's terrible, I know, but I understand why it's this way.

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Sadly, I have heard of this, too. It's WRONG and morally baffling.

Oh dear goodness, what a tragedy and IN a hospital. Thanks to ridiculous lawsuits and insurance costs, people don't take chances anymore and it is unfortunate that those things over-ride conscience. How do you explain a security guard or cop watching another person fight/hurt a human and not step in to separate...crazy world we live in!

I have never heard of such a thing! In the physician's code of ethics it specifically states that they must help in an emergent situation or risk losing their credentials, the same goes for nurses and all other patient related healthcare professionals.

That is one of the saddest stories I have heard in a long time, but yes it appears all sorts of things like that happen. The Good Samaritan these days could be taken to court, no matter where the incident so they have to follow protocol. It isn't just hospitals it is other departments and services wary of getting sued. My brother went into convulsions in the car once and we pulled over someone who was working to protect us. Don't dare say specifics. We were told that was not his jurisdiction to help. We had to make a call to get some help. What is wrong this world? Well, at least there are still good people, it is just sad that a few bad apples create this type of thing.

Easy answer...Lawsuits! I work on a critical care cardiac unit, and if I went into cardiac arrest right there in the nurses station, my co-workers are not allowed to touch me. No attempt at life saving CPR, NOTHING. They would call security (911 in the hospital) and grab the first stretcher they could find, and run me down to the ER. It would then be an ER employee who would assess me and being CPR. As bizarre as that sounds, it's true.