I know I haven’t written in a while, but as we all know, the world has been crazy with Covid-19. I’m pretty lucky to live in south GA where there are few cases and we have been “open for business” since 4/24/2020. Still, unfortunate situations due to panic, misinformation and fear are making it impossible for non-Covid-19 patients to get proper healthcare.
On 5/20/2020 I had a terrible experience with Southeast Georgia Health System. I have waited and thought long and hard as to whether I should share this or not. However, since I properly reported it to the hospital “quality” department and no one has bothered contacted me back regarding my complaint, I will just share it here. If the hospital doesn’t like it they can sue me.
Here is my report for the complaint department if they EVER contact me. I have removed only the names. I also have my daughter’s report of the incident, but will not be publishing it.
At Southeast GA Health System Camden county GA hospital emergency room yesterday (5/20/2020), I was harassed and berated by employees because of my disability.
I have been ill with shingles and yesterday I woke at 6am dizzy, at noon I was still dizzy so I had my daughter take me to the emergency room. I cannot go by myself because of my disability’s anxiety. This hospital is known for it’s poor care has a “C” grade. They almost killed me Jun 05, 2015 when they let my appendix burst while in the hospital room. So I cannot, will not go back alone, I’m so scared I get nauseous and extremely anxious, making it near impossible for me to advocate and communicate on my own behalf.
When we arrived both my daughter & myself were wearing the required masks. The woman taking temps at the door said said my daughter could not come back with me. I turned to leave, but my daughter explained to the volunteer at the door taking temps that I have a disability that causes bad anxiety and she needed to stay with me. The lady went back and asked “staff”. When she came back she said they said “it was okay”.
We waited a short time then were called in to triage. After triage was complete the nurse asked my daughter for her phone number because “you have to leave, you cannot go back or be here, we will call you with updates” the nurse said. My daughter explained again… but the nurse refused to budge. So I left in a “meltdown” crying, I vomited in the parking lot twice.
After I gathered myself a little we called my doctor. While I waited on the phone my doctor’s office called the ER and explained to them again. She told me “they are very aware that you are still in the parking lot and I spoke to them you should go back in now”. I was still really upset and still vomiting so I stayed outside while my daughter went in… Turns outs they still would not allow it. My daughter came back out, also crying now.
After about 20 minutes more I calmed down and called hospital administration and explained the issue… The lady I spoke to in administration contacted the ER manager while I waited on the phone and told me to go back in. I went back in and started all over.
The staff was rude, short and clearly very salty that I was allowed to bring my daughter back with me. The ER manager who was off site when administration contacted her earlier, came in and berated myself and my daughter for 10 minutes. She said things that scared me and I felt like she was trying to get me to leave. They consequently did an ultrasound of my leg where I have a clot, took my blood pressure 2x, temp 4x and oxygen level.
They made no attempt to find out why I am dizzy (still so, the next day 5/21/2020). The shorter doctor said “it’s probably dehydration. However, I’m pretty certain it’s not as I have no signs of dehydration.
I fully understand that the Covid-19 situation requires a ton of additional guidelines and safety measures, but I have been denied what I consider to be reasonable accommodations. Furthermore, I was denied proper medical care and treated poorly by hospital ER staff. I’m so angry and scared for my future… If this is the future, then I will have no medical care.
I had to return to the ER the next day after spending all day on the phone trying to get help. They ran the required tests found the issue and sent me on my way. It REALLY burns my ass that I will have to pay for 2 ER visits because they refused to do their jobs the first time. I appreciate the medical staff, I am respectful, but I deserved and PAID FOR appropriate treatment.
I’m really glad that healthcare is benefiting from the pandemic and they will have the supplies and protection they need, but what does it matter if you cannot get care? Our hospital has laid off staff, reduced pay and hours for employees and is actively turning people away from the ER.
I think that pandemic preparedness has taken such a panicked course that now hospitals, especially small ones like ours, may just bankrupt themselves. The message was so very clear for everyday citizens not to panic, but I guess no one told our hospital & staff not to panic. These heroes, doctors, techs, nurses were clearly done a disservice by the hospital administration’s lack of preparedness and ability to manage our VERY small number of Covid-19 cases.
In our county this is the ONLY hospital, but there are TO DATE only 62 confirmed cases, 1 death and 7 hospitalizations. How is this a valid reason to deny my rights, deny me treatment and treat me so poorly? #FACT: IT’S NOT!
Public accommodations must comply with basic nondiscrimination requirements that prohibit exclusion, segregation, and unequal treatment. They also must comply with specific requirements related to architectural standards for new and altered buildings; reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures; effective communication with people with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities; and other access requirements. Additionally, public accommodations must remove barriers in existing buildings where it is easy to do so without much difficulty or expense, given the public accommodation’s resources.
Excerpt from ADA Title III: Public Accommodations
Now to really blow your mind…. The ER manager who was so mean and terrible to me cited that they were following the “rules” of the CDC, which is an outright lie, because they are guidelines and the CDC cannot enforce any such items. The CDC certainly cannot force a hospital to violate the rights of a disabled person. However, the CDC also has guidelines for how people with disabilities should be cared for (below).
Accessibility applies to both communication and physical access. For instance, health professionals need to be aware of how to effectively communicate with patients who have a range of disabilities, including people who are deaf or hard of hearing, or who have a speech, vision, or intellectual disability. Providers should ensure that accessible medical equipment is available for people with disabilities (such as scales, examination tables, or chairs). In addition, providers should plan for additional time during examinations, if needed. Some examinations may take longer than others, for all sorts of reasons, in the normal course of a medical practice.
Disability and Health Information for Health Care Providers https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/hcp.html