Dash-cam video: Woman lay in Florida hospital parking lot 18 minutes, later died

[ellenrr]

Source: AP

A woman who collapsed and later died after being forcibly removed from a Florida hospital lay in the parking lot beside a police officer’s car for nearly 18 minutes before a doctor readmitted her, according to police dash-cam audio and video released Wednesday by lawyers for her family who charge the hospital and police were negligent in her death.

On the roughly 2 ½-hour recording, an officer drives up to the hospital, enters Dawson’s hospital room and tries to persuade her to leave. He says she must either go with him or go to jail, but Dawson replies that she can’t breathe and she’s in a panic. The officer informs Dawson that she can either receive health care elsewhere or will be arrested for disorderly conduct and trespassing.

Dawson fell to the ground 1 to 2 feet from the patrol car while the officer reached for his keys.
For 18 minutes she lay propped against the police cruiser as the officer and nurses made multiple attempts to get her into the car. The nurses also checked her pulse. Finally a doctor came out, said her condition appeared to have changed and readmitted her.

The medical examiner’s office found that Dawson died from a blood clot due to being excessively overweight.



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article53376830.html

---

(If this has already posted, pls LMK, and I'll delete. I didn't see it.)

--The article doesn't say, the woman is African-American

[Proserpina]

1. What F----Morons!

They should shut the entire hospital down and sell it to pay compensation to the woman's family. They should disband the police department and take away their pensions.

This being a class and race-based injustice, I expect nothing even close to that will be done.

[Hekate]

43. And when they "shut the entire hospital down and sell it" where will people go for treatment?

[randys1]

51. Translation, they can get away with whatever they want.

[Hekate]

52. Translation: hospitals are closing, consolidating, becoming farther apart. Reform is urgently needed

Closure should be a last resort.

[randys1]

53. Need to do away with for profit hospitals for the most part, make them part of a

Medicare for all system.

[Hekate]

54. Works for me.

[In_The_Wind]

2. May she rest in peace.

[Sunlei]

3. police should refuse hospital requests to force out patients, to let them die in police custody.

I can't find any stats online, how many people die within 48 hours in USA police custody, per year?

How many people die in USA prisons each year? Seems to be no stats kept and published online by our prison system.

[MADem]

5. The police might get stuck "holding the bag" on this one, even though the

hospital was ENTIRELY at fault to my mind.

That woman, from what I understand, begged to stay and told the doctors she felt unwell. They refused to listen to her and booted her out as a malingerer.

The police must feel terrible at the role they played in this ugly business. They often do things wrong, but taking her pulse and not leaving the immediate vicinity of the hospital was probably a good call.

[FarPoint]

7. Agreed....

Hospital in total neglect mode....A simple chest X-ray may of clarified/ identified the pulmonary embolism.

[freedom fighter jh]

8. Yeah, I can't see blaming the police for believing the doctors.

The doctors are the experts on the woman's health.

I think the hospital will push it onto "her condition appeared to have changed." Like it wasn't their fault when they threw it out, because her condition was so much better then. Probably the nurse who was out there trying to help the police get into the car thought, correctly, that if she tried to get the woman admitted back into the hospital the doctors would just repeat what they had said before and tell her to go away. Maybe they'll try to blame it on the nurse. But maybe it was a call from the nurse that prompted a doctor to come out to the parking lot.

But the police were probably just doing what they were told -- the doctors were in charge of who could be in the hospital.

[Sunlei]

12. yes, the officer made a good call. He also must have called back the hospital to help her.

The hospital/Doctor is at fault. Some Doctors & medical personal often 'assume' malingerer or over-complainer. They don't 'care' for all people equally.

[MADem]

13. If you pay cash and have a private room, they'll let you stay until you feel better.

If you're on the dole, not so much....

[Sunlei]

14. agree, if you're top-tier citizen (best insurance, wealthy, a professional)you get top tier 'care'

On the dole or lower tier insurance its 'basic, one size for all' lowest quality care.

A lot depends on the Doctors & Admin., many are very good- others suck, hate their 'job'.

[thesquanderer]

19. This is what Repubs call "the best health care system in the world"

And they probably mean it. The best system in the world takes care of the wealthly and lets the poor die, right? So what's the problem?

[MADem]

28. They do it in UK, too, NHS notwithstanding. The ones with the additional "private

insurance" get the better care. I don't mean to single out UK, either--other countries with national health schemes also have private insurance, often offered by employers (e.g. Canada) --and the real rich people, they just go where they want to get their care, and put cash on the barrel.

It's that Ugly Version of the Golden Rule: He who has the gold makes the rules.

http://thehealthcareblog.com/blog/2012/01/16/the-awkward-world-of-private-insurance-in-the-uk/

[1StrongBlackMan]

22. Sadly, that is not the case ...

When my mother was in the hospital, she had full coverage and the ability to pay cash ... and the hospital was trying to put her out ... despite having to give her units of blood every two days to stabilize her hemoglobin.

[MADem]

24. I think it depends on the hospital--a lot of them cater to the wealthy.

You should see the suites at MGH. They're not for us ordinary folks at all....


Eye opening article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/26/opinion/hospitals-red-blanket-problem.html?_r=0

Today, I work at a hospital in Massachusetts that gives the same white blankets to everyone. Yet I continue to see red blanket patients. Here, they are called “pavilion patients” because they pay extra to stay in private hotel-like rooms on the top floor, which come with gourmet food, plush bath robes and small business centers.

Whether red blankets or luxury suites, elite services exist in various forms at hospitals around the country, and are nearly universal at the most prestigious medical centers. Of the nation’s top 15 hospitals, ranked by U.S. News and World Report, at least 10 offer luxury treatment options.

Some physicians suggest that V.I.P. services are a harmless way to raise money. Wealthy patients can afford to pay over $1,000 a night for deluxe rooms. More important, if V.I.P.s have good experiences, they might make big donations. At some cancer centers, doctors are even trained to solicit donations themselves. It makes sense. With more money, the hospital can improve its overall service. It’s trickle down health care.

But are red blankets really harmless?

Regular patients lose when hospitals dedicate their best spaces to elite units. One study found that patients in a room with a view of nature recovered faster from gallbladder surgery than those who faced a brick wall. Even having a room with more sunlight has been associated with decreased patient stress and use of pain medications. The University Medical Center of Princeton built new rooms with better aesthetics and found that patients who recovered from surgery in those rooms required 30 percent less pain medication than patients in old rooms.....

[Delver Rootnose]

4. And all that matters ...

...to most commenters at other sites is that she was fat. Just like Eric Gardner because she was obese maltreatment or mistreatment is excused. The hospital had a person in distress and because of money and her weight they didn't believe her or treat her. Well that and she is African American. Further proof that black live have never mattered more than money.

[LisaL]

10. If she is obese, that only should have been more reasons for hospital to leave her in the hospital,

if she was complaining she was still unwell.

[DhhD]

20. Obesity is an illness and a disability. The family should sue.

Ethical Issues in the Care of the Obese Woman
at
http://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Ethics/Ethical-Issues-in-the-Care-of-the-Obese-Woman


Obesity, Obesity Related Disease, and Disability
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3383150/


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/?term=Obesity+Related+Disease+and+Disability+in+the+African+American+Population

[onecaliberal]

27. And the fact she had a fucking blood clot in her lung has nothing to do

With her weight. And it wouldn't matter one damn bit if it did. This country gets more fucked by the second.

[FarPoint]

6. Clinically, she could breath as she was yelling with gusto.

Yet, she obviously had underlying chest/ pulmonary disease going on in an acute fashion. I believe the Officer could of refused to remove her from the hospital.
The Officer I think could of shared he felt she may need more medical attention and decline at this time...delay at best and conference with a superior officer....Then again, hindsight is always more logical.

[LisaL]

9. The officer isn't a doctor.

If doctors/medical professionals tell him the woman is fine, he is unlikely to question that.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

32. could HAVE refused

[FarPoint]

42. Okay, okay, okay , okay

You are sooooooo perfect....Obviously, a superior DU'er than I am.... I am grateful for your input.....

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

45. I hate being a grammar nazi. I just can't help myself.

If I could just get one person to start using 'have' instead of 'of' in this context I'd be happy. Maybe you can be my hero!

[FarPoint]

47. Well....don't you worry..

You are the better DU'er... We need your authority here to keep stupid DU'er like me in line... Your contribution makes us all united....Leadership is your calling.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

55. You seem awfully sensitive.

[FarPoint]

63. Why thank you..

I strive to remain humble and appreciate healthy feedback. Your insight is an asset to us we folk.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

67. You're welcome. Glad I could help.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

68. we = wee

[FarPoint]

69. I sure can count on you watching my back.

I am sorry to make you work so hard. Your compassion for the disabled and stupid folks like myself is overwhelming. Thank you.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

70. Just trying to be helpful.

[FarPoint]

72. You make my day...

What a Blessing you are to me and the Democratic Underground Community.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

73. Do I get a medal? Or a gift card?

[FarPoint]

74. Come with me to Vermont.

I'll be talking my son back to Montpelier to college.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

76. You finally have me speechless!

[Chemisse]

48. Or could've.

Which is probably what people hear, and then write 'could of'. (I hate seeing that too - lol).

[FarPoint]

64. I deeply apologize for being so offensive to you.

My intention was to discuss the tragic loss of life, Ms. Dawson, on my favorite Discussion Board. My grammar apparently is an outrageous act that supersedes abuse, neglect and death. See, I'm just stupid. I own the shame and deserve your bully tone. Again, I deeply apologize for my offensive distraction.

[Chemisse]

65. Lighten up!

Why obsess over it?

If you see my remark as having a 'bully tone', you really have an issue with oversensitivity. You might want to address that, rather than lashing out at others.

[FarPoint]

66. Again, you shine a bright light when needed.

You are a great DU'er friend.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

71. That makes sense. LOL!

[chervilant]

11. And, so, the issue has become

she was "excessively overweight."

Dawson died because of medical neglect. The hospital personnel directly responsible for her death should --at the very least -- be ashamed.

[nashville_brook]

26. so glad SOMEONE picked on this beside me.

thank you.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

33. It's blaming the victim to say she died from a blood clot due to being excessively overweight.

Perfectly normal weight people die from blood clots, aneurysms, etc., all the time.

[restorefreedom]

34. clearly the blame the victim meme has started

and seriously, if being overweight caused clots, shouldn't the u.s, have people,dropping every five minutes from clots? i have never heard this dx before

hospitals behavior is appalling and vomit inducing.

[newfie11]

15. That happened years ago in Farmington NM

Patient died outside on doorstep after hospital refused her.

Years ago I worked in a level 1 trama hospital in MI. A young woman was sitting in the ER crying when one of our radiologist walked through.
He questioned her and found she had chest pain but the ER doc blew it off.

The Radiologist went to the ER doc and told him to check further.
Turned out she was having a heart attack and would have probably died once home.

shit happened and it happens more to the poor or nonwhite!
This needs to stop.
I hope to hell the hospital and staff involved are prosecuted !

[freedom fighter jh]

31. I've heard of that so many times!

A youngish man I used to work with went to the ER with chest pains and was sent home with a diagnosis of indigestion. Later that day he died of a heart attack.

I've heard of this so many times that I have to wonder why the docs don't see the pattern and check more for heart attacks.

[dixiegrrrrl]

40. Our county hospital ER room is set up so no one can see the waiting area!

The doors to the actual ER are locked.
There is a window next to the doors where the patient has to come and give info. and insurance, but then has to go on the other side of
a wall next to the window to wait, and no staff can see them.The waiting room is like a recessed area.

When Mr. Dixie had a collapsed lung, and could not breathe, they were willing to leave him, sitting and hunched over and gasping for air, even after I had given the clerk all his insurance info.
He was at high risk of the other lung collapsing.
It was not until I I told them he was having a heart attack that anyone came out to let him into the ER proper.

That hospital is the only game in town for 100 miles.
Any time we go there I take names and wave my camera around.

[freedom fighter jh]

44. Wow. Sounds like they don't want to have to deal with anyone . . .

. . . until they've let them in.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

46. Did they even do an EKG? Unbelievable!

[freedom fighter jh]

56. I don't know.

I had left the job 6 months before, and someone called me up to tell me what had happened. All I got was that John went to the ER with chest pains, was sent home with a diagnosis of indigestion, and then died.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

57. Wow, that sucks.

[freedom fighter jh]

58. Yeah. eom

[smirkymonkey]

60. So sad and so sick.

Our healthcare system is so broken. All but the lives of the very rich are so undervalued. It is beyond sad.

[Hoppy]

16. Three friends received a "nothing wrong," Take two and call me in the morning" diagnosis.

Two died within hours. One was in the e.r. The second was checked by ambulance staff.

The third one was in a walk-in clinic. He was told nothing is wrong but to wait in the examining room. A second ekg was administered a short time later. That test showed a massive heart attack. He lived 8 more years.

[LisaL]

17. My relative could have died when hospital released her.

Relative was about to go home but thankfully didn't right away, started feeling much worse, and was readmitted and had to have emergency surgery.
If she left, she would be quite possibly dead.

[daleanime]

18. Article doesn't need to say...

[peace13]

21. I am so sorry that this woman had to die in such a horrible manner.

The fact that she was then blamed for her own death is beyond words.

[Judi Lynn]

23. Who could treat someone this way? How can they get so twisted? How hard IS it to be decent? n/t

[Bad Dog]

25. This is what happens when you have privatised medicine.

And why I support our doctors when they go out on strike. The NHS needs defending against the Tories otherwise this will start happening over here.

[JudyM]

36. Bloodsucking insurance companies are a big part of the cause.

They have far too much control over the entire cost of health care in the US.

Welcome to DU!

[Bad Dog]

61. Thanks

We don't have insurance companies as such, there's BUPA, but that tends to be for rich people who want to queue jump and have a nice room. They don't get better treatment as most BUPA doctors work for the NHS and are getting a bit on the side.

The biggest irony is that per capita America spends more on Health than Britain, but you still don't have Universal Health Care. It's not just your insurance companies it's drugs companies charging whatever they want. Over here prescriptions are £8.20 an item, (approx. $12US) that's if you have to pay prescription charges. Children, the elderly and low waged are all exempt.

When I was on holiday in Mexico I was taken about by the huge amounts of prescription drugs Americans were buying to take back home. It was just like us buying cigarettes in Brussels.

[Bayard]

29. Tragic, but common

Several years ago, I spent a week in intensive care in a Calif. hospital. No insurance. The minute the doctor released me, the staff was shoving me out the door. Since I'd come by ambulance, and unconscious, I didn't have my glasses or clothes. I couldn't see. They told me I could root around in lost & found for clothes. And I could wait outside the hospital at night. Finally a friend came for me with both those items. I stayed in my room and refused to leave, but was in total panic mode by then from the staff's treatment. I'm sure their next step would have been to call security or the cops.

[JudyM]

35. Sounds like an awful experience, sorry to hear it. But welcome to DU! Nt

[cab67]

30. based on earlier reports of this case...

...the woman who died had a substantial history of disruptive behavior at that hospital.

At most hospitals, staff are trained to treat all patients as legitimate medical cases, regardless of the patient's track record. They want to avoid a "crying wolf" situation where someone known to have shown up with non-threatening conditions (or even non-existent conditions, deliberately faked or not) is ignored when they arrive with a very real problem. I get the sense this is a lesson the staff at this hospital never learned - the woman in this case had been problematic, and so when she had a very real medical emergency, she wasn't taken seriously. They are clearly at fault here.

I'm actually less inclined to hold the police officer at fault in this particular case. He's not a medical professional. People at the hospital probably told him she was malingering or whatever, and he took their word for it - after all, he's not a medical professional, but they are. He presumably didn't realize how incompetent they were.

[RobinA]

39. I Was At One Time

a nonmedical person working in a hospital. My observation was that people would rather err on the side of not believing a person who was actually telling the truth about being sick than err by believing a person who was crying wolf and not really sick. There is some kind of ego involvement when it comes to believing liars that overrides the self-preservation (if nothing else) of treating somebody who may not be telling the truth about being sick. I never understood this, but it happens all the time.

Malingerers get sick, too. Forget that at your peril.

[Chemisse]

49. Maybe they feel they are being made fools of.

Clearly they were in error here. I can understand the inclination to push her out the door if she had been a frequent and troublesome visitor there. But they have to rise above it, and be professional at all times.

[cab67]

50. I'm actively sorry to read this.

I've never worked in a hospital, but I have friends and colleagues involved in medical training. They would be horrified to learn that their lessons are being set aside so casually.

[rladdi]

37. Really folks, the Republicans care less if you die. They just voted in Congress to take away your

health care insurance. They are the real DEATH PANEL in America. With all the extreme talks and speeches by the GOP, people continue to support them. WHY?
Just this morning Paul Ryan was trashing Obama again. saying how bad the economy was and the job situation. Wake up folks, who put the economy and jobs back, Pres. Obama. While the GOP did everything possible to block his progress. The Republicans would prefer a George W. Bush running the nation. 2 wars, trillions of debt, killed our economy, millions of pensioners lost their pensions when the economy crashed. And The Republicans ignore those actions.

[McCamy Taylor]

38. The doctor is to blame. A D-dimer could have diagnosed her condition.

[vkkv]

41. Job security fear, greed, no guaranteed health care, the de-humanization of the value of everyone

have all trickled down from the corporate world running our government.

It's going to get worse, we'll probably have to hit rock-bottom before there is enough awareness to turn it around.

What's good for people is good for business, but what's good for business isn't always so great for people... OBVIOUSLY!!

[Pjmask]

59. Omg

I can't believe it.

[trillion]

62. I can't handle this crap. Calhoun Liberty Hospital - remember it.

Poor woman.

[Blue_Tires]

75. Shameful....

I'm beyond words...