Florida hospital just pulled a "Rick Scott" on my mother

[ngant17]

On Tuesday (8 Mar), my mother (90 yrs. old) was given 2 orders from her podiatrist to go to the ER and have two doppler scans of her carteroid/veins, to check for a condition that might have caused a mild stroke that we think she had the previous day (Monday). The foot doctor thought there was an indication of a blood clot on her lower leg which might have been a contributiong factor, so he felt it was best to go to the hospital as soon as possible that day to check for blockages.

After finishing some other business that day, we drove to a local hospital here in Central Fla. and arrived at the ER at 8:30pm. The hospital checked her Medicare insurance cards and refused to see her, they told her to go away and to call scheduling tomorrow, to request the service because this type of doppler scan was some specialized task that had to be made in advance.

Discouraged, we left the ER. Unfortunately the following morning at 5:30am my mother had already lapsed into a comatose state and I was unable to wake her up. I had to call the paramedics and they were able to slightly revive her as she was put into the ambulance. Possible low blood sugar a factor, too. But also the doctors (at a different hospital this time) confirmed there was a blood clot in her leg and gave her several injections in her stomach to help dissipate it. The paramedic explained to me early that morning that her original prescriptions, which he examined, the one which foot doctor gave my mother the previous day, it was really just a routine doppler scan which hospitals do all the time.

I am very unhappy with the administrative ER staff who unnecessarily put my mother's life at risk and forced me to call an ambulance when my mother could have checked in at ER the previous night without making the 911 call. If this is a common practice, I would guess that there are a lot of people out there who have had a similar situation from this hospital, possible causing an unnecessary death in an extreme case.

It occurred to me that this is exactly how Fla. Gov. Scott made his millions as a CEO involved in a hospital that had such kinds of policies in place, turning away the sick and elderly on whims and excuses to keep their corporate profits as high as possible.

[MrsBrady]

1. I'm so sorry for this

I'm sure you are dealing with quite a bit, but I would look into getting a lawyer because the DR told you to go to the ER and you were turned away.

Hugs to you and your family.

[ngant17]

5. there was some concern for a short time, of course

but thank you, my mother (who is in otherwise excellent health for her age) is recovering and should be released from the hospital in a few days. She has complete memory of events and can talk almost normally, just a little tired and weak.

She's always been a bright light in our lives for many reasons, and we hope that isn't going away anytime soon. She hasn't been in a hospital since Jan. 2010, although I make sure she gets to any appointments as needed.

[SharonAnn]

2. Actually, he specialized in admitting them and double billing and billing for procedures

they didn't have.

Outright fraud.

That was his "modus operandi"

[pansypoo53219]

3. REPUBLICAN

DEATH PANELS.

[nashville_brook]

4. a doppler is just an ultrasound -- and for a possible blood clot...sheesh!

yes, turning someone away who is in immediate danger of a traveling clot could cause an unnecessary death.

i've had to have an emergency ultrasound for a DVT...and, i've also endured some of the worst treatment you can imagine in Florida hospitals (Wuesthauff, in melbourne)...my heart goes out to you both.

[Zoigal]

6. wow, glad your mom got the care she needed...

Would check this out with an attorney..and your state's medical board (if they have one).
Incidents like this can't be ignored IMO..thanks (from an eight two year old) for taking such
good care of your mom......z