Friday, July 4, 2008

ER Scandal

Just finished reading my friend, Island Girl's blog relating to the scandal in the King's County emergency waiting room . This brings to mind a similar story regarding a patient lying on a rollaway bed in the ER of Harlem's Knickerbocker Hospital several decades ago. The patient died. Her name was Billie Holiday.
Unfortunately for her, she was checked in under her marriage name but so what? It's the same old story and we haven't learned our lesson yet. Hospitals understaffed and staff overworked and underpaid. I knew a male nurse who worked in the Knickerbocker emergency room at the time of Ms. Holiday's demise. He performed doctor's duties when he had to and wound up every night with a bloody uniform. The problem is deep and who has solutions? A little compassion goes a long way...

1 comment:

islandgirl4ever2 said...

Hi Manda,

I never knew that about Billie Holiday!! It's such a sad thing and just showing some caring and compassion can really save a life... I think it's what this world lacks the most when it comes to helping people on an invidual level.. People are more compassionate and giving when it comes to national disasters!! Love the new blog!! Take care, Leesa