Why do you think the staff at this US hospital acted in this way?

Question

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20080702/twl-video-released-of-us-woman-dying-41f21e0.html

Answer 1

They were utterly uncaring and ignorant, and the lady was black and did that influence their decision or I notice she was in a psychiatric unit so did they think that she was just another

"cookie" not to worry about.

No matter it was utterly appalling. That poor lady!!!!

All the people involved that night at that unit should be sacked, no excuses, there r none.

On a humanitarian level they failed big time.

Answer 2

I saw no staff, but I saw a few others sat in the room do nothing as this happened - this is how caring society is these days.

Answer 3

Surely its better to die in a Hospital than out on the street?.

I can`t see the problem.

Answer 4

They acted this way because we have the two Americas that John Edwards talked about- an America for the rich and the America of the poor- If the lady had been rich, she would have been escorted directly to a suite instead of the standard hospital sized rooms and gotten the best treatment that money can buy- The lady was poor, so she was beneath the monetary guidelines that we go by in this country. To all those that are against socialized health care in this country, perhaps you need to look at this event here. The lady was guilty of one thing- she was poor. We do have the best health care system in the world,, but only for those that can afford it- our health care system ranks number 26 in the world today- barely ahead of the small country of Lithuania.We seem to equate wealth with the worth of an individual in this country-no money , no worth- this is the price we pay for being a total capitalistic society- Money rules!

Answer 5

this shows that some hospital staff is ineficient and they should consider hiring people that are fit for the job. This is not the first intance that someone is left to die. This is unecceptable! regardless of mental, economic. physical, conditions people should be helped. There is no excuse for what happened. Before hiring someone for a position people should make sure they are qualified because the staff at this hospital was obviously not.

Answer 6

Who knows?

Worse things happen.

Answer 7

Not only the staff, but the people sat in the waiting room also????  What a sad world we live in.

Answer 8

sad.

Answer 9

i just watched that video, and i'm disgusted. Its a sad state of society when someone drops dead, and people stare, but do nothing.. Perhaps they didnt care, perhaps, they were over busy, and perhaps it was down to colour. Either way, there's no excuse for such shocking behaviour. They should all have been sacked. Especially the security guy who swivels his chair to watch the woman lying prone on the floor, then swivels his chair away doing nothing..

Answer 10

yeah i saw this today too she was left for an hour ,its sickening they have all been sacked by all accounts its really shocking how humans can be so uncaring ----------> :)

Answer 11

I was born in Kings County hospital.  I now live in queens.  To the people that posted that this has to do with colour, don't know what they are talking about.  90 percent of the staff are black all the people in the waiting room were black.  The neighbourhood is black.  This also was a psychiatric emergency room so I guess the people sitting around her were in their own world.  The persons responsible were the security guards and health aides standing around.  This is not the mindset of the U.S. honey, it is the mind set of certain individuals.  My dad saved someones life three times.  In the 1940's he dived off a bridge and saved the life of a man who's car went of off it.  Same bridge 30 years later a girl fell out of a boat.  My dad ran to the dock started his boat, saved her life.  In the 1970's a drunk driver ran off the road into a house with many kids nearby.  My dad pulled the man out of a burning car (by the way, the man was black; my dad is white).    Most Americans care about human life.  So, please don't generalise.  In addition, after 9/11, most of the helpers were volunteers in NYC.

Answer 12

I am not excusing anything and I am satisfied that 6 people have been fired over the event

however

--------------------------------------...

This was a psychiatric unit...... Have you ever visited a psychiatric unit? I have.

Some event which may provoke a serious and immediate reaction in a normal hospital unit, may be an everyday event in a psychiatric unit.

The first person on the scene was a security guard..... now, remmber this is the ULTRA LITIGIOUS USA, we are talking about. One wrong move by an unqualified person may cost the hospital millions of dollars. I would guess that the security staff are specifically warned against taking any action,. other than informing a member of the medical staff.

because of this, and without proper diagnosis, the medical staff may well not have taken the report form a) the other patient and b) the security staff seriously at first.

when the staff are finally on the scene, they work quickly and professionally

--------------------------------------...

That is why I think the staff acted that way