Patient left at Baltimore bus stop received 'appropriate medical care,' hospital says

My mom called me from the VA hospital once to pick her up after she had one of her cancer treatments. A few decades ago.

When I got there (middle of winter), I found her in a wheelchair, slumped over at the end of a walkway unconscious. Nobody around. I woke her up (very happy that worked) and asked her what happened and she was just plain confused. I quickly rolled her back into the hospital and raised hell at the desk and demanded a doctor to check her over fucking right now!!.

Note that I had recently returned from active duty in the Navy and was quite capable of raising a ruckus. But to their credit a doctor appeared within seconds and wheeled her back to a room immediately. When they came back out, about five minutes later, Mom was very happy. Smiling and talking with the doctor and apologized because she considered it to be her fault. She had asked (insisted) to have a cigarette. Cigarettes were no longer acceptable in hospitals ... so she had to go outside. This was of course against the advice of the staff, who lost track of her (and their wheelchair, but they are trusting souls). She had a nice fur coat on and seemed capable. They didn't think she'd pass out (or fall asleep?).

But the doctor chastised the nurses for allowing that to happen. He was practically as mad as I was, and I got the impression it wasn't just about the embarrassment to the hospital reputation, but strict policy violation regarding releasing a patient. Until they are out of that chair and walking away or (in case of those whose treatment forbid walking just yet) in the custody of someone who will look after them ... they aren't supposed to be alone. Complications arise. Taking that risk is unacceptable.

My Mom is special. To me. To hospital staff, she's just another patient.

This lady is also just another patient. But there's NO reason why she should be treated any differently than my mother. I think the gentleman who was outraged and brought this to viral notoriety should be commended.

Seriously: wearing a medical gown and slippers? In winter? Just dropped off?

Not just no but FUCK no.

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