This is very frightening. I have serious cardiac issues. Back home, in the New York City area, I have had to go to the hospital by ambulance for life threatening issues a few times. In those circumstances, I would usually go to the closest hospital unless it was felt that there was enough time to get me to my hospital of choice. I have been in situations where time was crucial. Can anyone verify that a patient with a stroke was left waiting without any attention? I would not be here today if I had had to wait hours for treatment. In fact, where I live technicians are in touch with the doctors by telephone from the ambulance, when necessary, and care is started in the ambulance. Do they have this in The Villages?
Another issue. It was said in this thread that the Emergency Room was busy because so many people had the flu. Why would someone with flu symptoms go to the Emergency Room rather than to an Urgent Care type center or a private doctor? I can understand the need if there are life threatening complications, but a typical person with flu like symptoms does not need Emergency Room treatment.
|