Ignored By 911, Woman Dies In Hospital

Emergency Operators Did Little To Help A Woman Dying In A Hospital Waiting Room

(AP)  A woman who lay bleeding on the emergency room floor of a troubled inner-city hospital died after 911 dispatchers refused to contact paramedics or an ambulance to take her to another facility, newly released tapes of the emergency calls reveal.

Edith Isabel Rodriguez, 43, died of a perforated bowel on May 9 at Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital. Her death was ruled accidental by the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

Relatives said Rodriguez was vomiting blood and writhing in pain for 45 minutes while she was at a hospital waiting area. Experts have said she could have survived had she been treated early enough.

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Hear The 911 Calls

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County and state authorities are now investigating Rodriguez's death. Relatives reported she died as police were wheeling her out of the hospital after the officers they had asked to help her arrested her instead on a parole violation. Sheriff's Department spokesman Duane Allen said Wednesday that the investigation is ongoing.

In the recordings of two 911 calls that day, first obtained by the Los Angeles Times under a California Public Records Act request, callers pleaded for help for Rodriguez but were referred to hospital staff instead.

“I'm in the emergency room. My wife is dying and the nurses don't want to help her out,” Rodriguez's boyfriend, Jose Prado, is heard saying in Spanish through an interpreter on the tapes.

“What's wrong with her?” a female dispatcher asked.

“She's vomiting blood,” Prado said.

“OK, and why aren't they helping her?” the dispatcher asked.

“They're watching her there and they're not doing anything. They're just watching her,” Prado said.

The dispatcher told Prado to contact a doctor and then said paramedics wouldn't pick her up because she was already in a hospital. She later told him to contact county police officers at a security desk.

A second 911 call was placed eight minutes later by a bystander who requested that an ambulance be sent to take Rodriguez to another hospital for care.

“She's definitely sick and there's a guy that's ignoring her,” the woman told a male dispatcher.

During the call, the dispatcher argued with the woman over whether there really was an emergency.

“I cannot do anything for you for the quality of the hospital. ... It is not an emergency. It is not an emergency ma'am,” he said.

“You're not here to see how they're treating her,” the woman replied.

The dispatcher refused to call paramedics and told the woman that she should contact hospital supervisors “and let them know” if she is unhappy.

“May God strike you too for acting the way you just acted,” the woman said finally.

“No, negative ma'am, you're the one,” he said.

The incident was the latest high-profile lapse at King-Harbor, formerly known as King/Drew. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is investigating claims of recent patient care breakdowns, including Rodriguez's case.

Federal inspectors last week said emergency room patients were in “immediate jeopardy” of harm or death, and King-Harbor was given 23 days to shape up or risk losing federal funding.

Dr. Bruce Chernof, director of the county Department of Health Services, which oversees the facility, has called Rodriguez's death “inexcusable” and said it was “important to understand that this was fundamentally a failure of caring.” He has said conditions are improving, though.

A call Wednesday seeking comment about the 911 tapes from the department's communications office, which handles information about the hospital, was not immediately returned.

Dr. Roger Peeks, the chief medical officer at the hospital, was placed on “ordered absence” Monday, the Times reported. Health officials declined to elaborate, saying it was a personnel matter. Dr. Robert Splawn, chief medical officer for the health department, was named interim chief medical officer, the newspaper said

[smirk5]

When Republicans tell you that we have the best health care in the world, laugh to yourself and remember this article.

[rushman71]

They need to fire the dispatcher, interagate and suspend the officers involved, and close down the medical facility until they get their act together. No matter what the situation is, if there is a person "vomiting blood and writhing in pain", don't you think something should have been done.

[processor2]

Good thing this wasn't a government run facility, or else no one would have noticed that the person was dead.

Afterall, Walter Reed is government run, and we all know what a mess THAT is.

...

[nishaboston]

This is sick !!!!!!!!! Why couldn't the idiot just help the woman. what is so *** hard about that. If someone is vomiting blood why in the world would you arrest them.

[l_dia41]

I think this indicates the absolutely need for privatizing the medical system. It's broken down and when even an obvious medical emergency goes unattended due to the incompetence and lack of care of staffers who were available to give emergency care, well, it only speaks to the lackadaisical attitudes of managers, staff and 9-1-1 personnel, all of whom failed this woman. It seems obvious to me that the county needs to close this hospital down. If people are going to die, they may as well die at home surrounded by friends and family, not writhing in pain on a hospital floor for over 40 minutes waiting for help that never comes.

[griezz]

This is NOT a debate over Democrat vs. Republican. This is a case of sheer ignorance, stupidity, carelessness, and inhumanity. You want to argue politics? Fine. Republicans run the national and state governments. The LA mayor is a Democrat. BOTH parties are to blame. Satisfied?
Now get on with charging the nurses, doctor & administrators with criminal negligence causing death.

[grammawhamma]

OMG...How horrible. I am not one that believes in law suits...but in this case YES!!

[pugster]

We have more people sick and alot of hospitals closed their ER and OBGYN's because the government doesn't support them. Yet Bush doesn't seem to think that this is a problem.

[jdubs63]

This is just horrible. How can ANYONE HAVE IGNORED THIS WOMAN.A janitor cleaning the floor around her and did nothing. What kind of people work at that hospital? No wonder good Doctors, good nurses burn out quickly.. doing what others walk over and ignore. I surely hope all the people knowing of this situation will not be able to sleep. Shame Shame Shame

[huskerarmy]

"This is what kind of hospitals you may get, if and when the Democrats elect Hillary Clinton. Believe the Republicans. Their medical intentions could have saved this lady's life."
Posted by HRIGHTON
Pay attention idiot! This is the kind of hospital we already have and the kind of health care system that Republicans are fighting to maintain...

[hungry1968]

HRIGHTON:

Only a Republican would be so careless about the loss of someone's life, as to try and turn this into the Democrats fault. Do you know for a fact that the fire dispatcher is a Democrat? What about the person at the hospital that was ignoring her? Do you think they said, "Hmmm, she doesn't look like a Democrat so I'm not going to treat her." Like I said, only a Republican would be that indifferent about the loss of a life.

[processor2]

Good thing this wasn't a government run facility, or else no one would have noticed that the person was dead.

Afterall, Walter Reed is government run, and we all know what a mess THAT is.

...

Does anyone want to guess how much this gentleman will win in his upcoming lawsuit? Probably less than a million dollars. Thanks to insurance reform that has swept the nation state by state, he will probably never get near the amount that I believe he deserves. Who wins? The hospitals insurance company will, in this case. How sad!!!

[pghlady3]

Thank you democrats. We love your rules
not only did 911 fail her but so did the emergency room

[vietvet73]

On one side I'm appalled at the possibly criminal neglect of the hospital staff. I ruptured a blood vessel in my esophagus with similar results, vomiting blood - The staff at TGIFridays successfully ignored me other than to mop up the blood. The local hospital treated me and I managed to pay it off thanks to a 0% interest loan I am grateful they gave me.

On the other side of the coin, is this indicative of a healthcare system's way of coping with too many immigrants (illegal, maybe) that flood our emergency rooms for treatment they can't afford, so our medical insurance has to pay for them?

We need a national healthcare system, not just for those that can't afford it and maybe not from the government, but the people. I see where the "big 3" automakers in Detroit are trying to pool their people to keep down costs. Why not the rest of us.

Meanwhile, my sympathies to the Rodriguez family for their unnecessary loss.

[ov442]

RE: HRIGHTON's comments.
Never believe Republicans. They never do anything with a basis in caring about anyone unless you have lots of money. They lie about everything they do and intend. Actions speak for themselves.
As for their supporters? either ignorant morons or money hungry greedy scumbags.. take your pick of the two.

privatizing my a_s. Most of the hospitals in existance are private. This hospital is run by LA county, USC, UCLA, and the Drew Medical Society, not the mayor, or the feds. This is just a hospital full of bad employees.

But it doesnt matter who is running it. It needs to be fixed.

[texas468]

Lord have EVER-LOVIN' Mercy!!! Betcha if the 911 dispatch or the emergency room Docs and Nurses were on the floor, vomiting blood, it would certainly be a freakin' emergency THEN!!! I hope this family finds a good lawyer, they deserve to be compensated!!! Crazy ***.......

[griezz]

First, on pghlady's comments - before blaming Democrats, you might want to remember that Republicans are supposed to believe in "personal responsibility", which means that it was the responsibility of the hospital, not of the Democratic party... who also haven't been in power federally for most of the last 12 years and state-wide, ever sine Governor Arnold took power.

And as for vietvet's comments: I knew it! Someone played the race card. What do illegal immigrants have to do with this case? Are the family illegals? Why should it matter?

I do agree, though, that your ridiculous health care system down there needs to be changed. When 50% of the population can't afford medical insurance, which means that most of them can't afford to go to the hospital, then you have a serious problem in the US.

[cantshutup]

wonder what health care is like in mexico?

[rharrin1]

I'm in the emergency room. My wife is dying and the nurses don't want to help her out,%u201D Rodriguez's boyfriend, Jose Prado, is heard saying in Spanish through an interpreter on the tapes.

So which is it wife or girlfriend ?

[oldman6635]

hey we can't even take care of our veterians of war, so why am i not shocked over this story.....aides are doing lvn jobs,lvn's are doing RN jobs, RN'S are doing dr's jobs....dr's are doing other dr's...ooops don't tell their wives....so whats the problem???

[gorph001]

Whats the problem???...I had to go there about 20--30 years ago when I was unemployed, poor, no $, & had a terribly painfull episode of gout each time....I had to wait for at least 8 to 12 hours before I could get out of there. But at least I did get the meds I needed. It took several days/week to recover, but I did each time. i'm thankfull the hospital was there when I desperately needed the help!!!

[jimc52]

Notice how the county coroner ruled this as "accidental." It wasn't any accident when the nurses were standing around refusing to help or when the 911 dispatcher refused to help. This wasn't an "accident," and the coroner knows it. This is really a case of MURDER. Murder because they let her die when they could have done something. And arresting her for a warrent like that is an obcenity! Accident my foot (oops, I had better not get sick in LA!). Who BRIBED the county coroner to make that determination? The hospital? The city of LA?
The cops? Illegal immigrant or not, warrent or not, it was MURDER! They are murderers. They intetionally and purposely and with careless wrecklessness and total incompetence, let this woman die right in front of them. That isn't an accident! What accident? None of them want to be held responsible. Where is the DA at in this?
Hasn't anyone in California heard of the charge of MURDER?

[processor2]

Good thing this wasn't a government run facility, or else no one would have noticed that the person was dead.

Afterall, Walter Reed is government run, and we all know what a mess THAT is.

...

[nishaboston]

rharrin1:

what does it matter if the woman is his wife or girlfriend. I mean who the hell cares, the point is the woman died because of ignorant people. Maybe he refers to his girlfriend as his wife people do that sometimes, or maybe it is a simple error. Who the hell cares. Is that all you can say after reading this horrible story about this poor woman.

[huskerarmy]

Afterall, Walter Reed is government run, and we all know what a mess THAT is.
Posted by processor2
Once again processed you are wrong. President Bush privatized Walter Reed long before the scandal:
www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Bush_Administration_push_for_privatization_may_0303.html

[huskerarmy]

Thank you democrats. We love your rules
not only did 911 fail her but so did the emergency room
Posted by pghlady3
Nominated for the bizzzaro post of the day.

[nishaboston]

You fools Democrates and Republicans both run this country lets blame them both.

[godofredo29]

I mean, where do they get these 911 operators anyway? The moron could have just asked the caller to put someone there at the hospital on the phone and find out for himself what the situation was. She just did what I would do if I thought a TSA screener was taking something out of my luggage (my only pair of glasses, cash money)amounted to a theft. Just call 911 and let the local authorities step in. They can do that when a crime is alleged.

[russ1985]

Killer King strikes again! You have to wonder about a hospital where if a cop is shot, he'll say drive me somewhere else 20-30 minutes away because he knows King drew/harbor is a death sentence.

[dukeudevil]

America should be ashamed that such things can happen in what is (was once?) the world greatest and richest country. Even the poorest of the poor or most disadvantaged person should not die in the manner.

Forget not that this most conceivably could happen to any of us.

And, would you call it an "accident" if it happened to you or someone you loved? (No, I didn't think so.)

[tibu987]

It was not the 911 operator who failed her, it was the emergency room personnel. The operator should not be blamed, the woman was in a hospital ER and the 911 operator(s) could not diagnose the severity of the patients symptoms.
Heads at the hospital should roll, if they are unable to understand the seriousness of an ER visit, they should be fired and replaced by someone more qualified. It is an ER and that is what they are supposed to do, if not, give up the ER. There is no excuse for what happened to this woman.

[saxetom]

The 911 staff completed their task when the woman was transported alive to a health facility and then released to the facility's care. The blame falls on whoever signed her in for the hospital and the hospital staff who neglected her. Sounds like murder by omission to me at the very least. Let's not forget those duty bound to protect and serve who arrested her instead of seeking help for the poor soul. What a way to spend the last few minutes of your life surrounded by those who are supposed to help and care for the helpless in time of need. It could have been any of us. So...what are we going to do about it?

[arstough]

I was in shock when i read this story. I just cant believe people stood around and watched this women die. I agree with another comment i read that this should be a case of murder. Someone is to blame here, and i hope they all pay. Most of us could not live with ourselves if we stood around and watched someone die, but i guess at this hospital its just another days work. SAD TO SAY

[pcecbs06]

This is just a complete shame.

Pghlady, it must be nice and comforting to not have to actually think about the complexities of an issue, but instead just blame "all Democrats". Health care in this country sucks, and lots of people on both sides are responsible. Then again, I expect such simple, uneducated and ill-informed responses from some yinzer from Pittsburgh.

I don't doubt nationality may have played a role, as well as the woman's criminal record. But last I checked, this was, in fact, a HUMAN BEING. Where is the Christian outrage? Is it only that CERTAIN lives are worth saving, or being upset about when lost? I'm no Biblical scholar, but I'm pretty sure that Jesus would disagree.

[thgdriver]

I am not sticking up for the 911 dispatchers, they sound a little heartless but she was already at a hospital, that's where an ambulance takes sick people. It seems to me this falls on the hospital lack of care. The one dispatcher asked "OK, and why aren't they helping her?%u201D In the 911 dispatchers defense--they did their job or their job was done--she was at the hospital.

To me it makes no difference if they can pay or not, a life used to be a life, looks like that, somehow, is not the case at this hospital.

[retmilspouse]

When Republicans tell you that we have the best health care in the world, laugh to yourself and remember this article.
Posted by Smirk5 at 02:39 PM : Jun 13, 2007

Well there are idiots everywhere just like you posting on this web site. Have you even been to other parts of the world? Apparently not by the above ignorant comment you have made. Get a grip and get out of your sheltered little world and see what is happening in the rest of civilization. We have it so good here, but there are uncaring people in places of authority who cause accidents such as this tragedy. There is no cure for STUPID!

[nikomoose]

It doesn't all rest upon who runs the country but who runs the department of that hospital, the hospital itself, and those who hire the 911 dispatchers.

[linfinster]

DISGUSTING! And YES there is blame for those 911 operators. How can you say there isn't?! If I was that man, I probably would be in jail for something for just trying to get medical help for the one I loved! I would have made a weapon and threatened someone out of desperation or something... don't know .. so very tragic!

[fire1009]

Most of you people think that no matter what happens that there should be free health care. That's a crock.
BTW--do you think that the situation would have been better if they'd pressed 1 for english?

[honest_news]

This one falls squarely on the hospital.

The latest whipping boy among both conservatives and liberals are personal injury lawyers and juries who assess large awards in civil cases, but it's the only mechanism that holds institutions that consider themselves above the law -- such as city hospitals and doctors -- accountable for their incompetence and unprofessionalism. Their own internal oversight committees and associations certainly won't take corrective action -- they have a conflict of interest.

So, I hope that Ms. Rodriguez' family sues the pants off the hospital and its culpable attendants and wins. Wins big. Big enough to send a real wake-up call to other sub-par "health care" providers. Even big enough to ruin some careers and close down the hospital -- based on the CBS article, this hospital should have been closed a long time ago anyway.

[fire1009]

After my last post I took a few minutes to read all of the posts that pertain to this article. First, let me say that there sure are a lot of stupid people in the world. I%u2019ve read that this hospital should either%u2026shut down, fire the people involved, fire the 911 dispatchers, have their pants sued off%u2026 and this list goes on and on. I must be missing something but she was in a free hospital that the County supports for an accidentally ruptured colon%u2026 how do you suppose that happens? Sorry, I digress. Anyway, I think that these are all great ideas. Let%u2019s shut this place down and then sue their pants off. What do you think the health care will be like in this part of town then?

We do have the best health care in the entire world. ANYONE who claims anything different hasn%u2019t been far beyond our borders. The problem is that everyone in the inner city expects the same care that they would get if they actually paying their own way and had an unlimited supply of money. What%u2019s next in California---free breast augmentations because some these people in the inner city feel inadequate%u2014it would make their self image improve I%u2019ve heard.

[texvet528]

Um, the US health system is in NO WAY the best in the world. Hell Cuba, Canada, and the netherlands all surpass us in different areas health care.

As for the article and events themselves, a pure travesty regardless of the individual involved, it's still a human life. Would anyone here walk a mile in that womans shoes?

[weareone2]

t Fire1009
Equating breast augmentation surgery to dying untreated in a hospital from a ruptured colon is sick and depraved.
People like you are the reason I have told my family I do not want to be an organ donar.
People like you should be required to carry signs so that if I see you in trouble, maybe dying from a car accident, I can just ignore you and not waste my time trying to help you.
If our health care were really the best in the world, we wouldn't be so far from the best in areas like life expectancy and infant mortality.
90,000 people a year die in the U.S. because they don't have health insurance. Many of them are the hardest workers in our country, on whom everyone else depends.

[fire1009]

We Do have the best in the world. In Canada you have to get on a waiting list to get an MRI and it takes weeks if not months. I can get an MRI anytime of the day or night. Cuba?? You%u2019re just kidding right?? The countries that have socialized medicine also have the highest tax rates. You%u2019re also confusing the FREE system and the INSURED system. I%u2019ve always had great insurance because I%u2019ve worked hard, got a great job (retired Fireman) that had great insurance and then I went into business for myself, now I provide great insurance for all of my employees that also work as hard as I do. Let's face the facts here when you can pay your own way you have options. When you expect someone else to pay your way then those options are reduced.

[weareone2]

If you think that working hard guarantees you can afford health insurance, you are too ignorant for us to pay attention to.

[puzzler125]

The quality of care in the United States is not the same everywhere. When I lived in New York (Long Island) and needed an ultrasound in the hospital I got it within an hour. When I had a gallbladder attack in Ohio on a Thursday (in the emergency room) I had to wait until the following Monday for it!

[molaurie]

So Los Angeles feels it is okay to let a poor, Hispanic woman die, while Paris Hilton is living the high life in her $1,000/day medical detention facility, complements of the taxpayers! This is so pathetic and outrageous and speaks volumes about our society.

[fire1009]

weareone2,
You need to apply that Liberal Arts or Sociobiology degree to something better than delivering pizza or slinging coffee at Starbucks. There is a massive shortage of skilled workers and anyone who is willing can better themselves. I%u2019ve spent thousands of hours in the ER and EMS service. It%u2019s almost never pretty and there are usually issues with people%u2019s expectations. If you%u2019re not insured then get a real job with insurance.

One of the prior posts talked about when a Cop gets shot in the same area as MLK he%u2019ll tell them to take him somewhere else. When you can pay you have options.

[fire1009]

What's it going to be? Paris in jail or Paris out of jail? I thought that Al Sharpton and all of you libs wanted her back in jail. Now you're complaining that it costs too much?