911 Is Not A Joke

Los Angeles County and state authorities are investigating the May 9th death of 43 year old Edith Rodriguez at Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital. Her death, while attributed to a perforated bowel, was ruled accidental by the county coroner’s office. The controversy and inquest comes after review of two 911 calls, both made from within the hospital emergency room area seeking assistance for Rodriguez. Both Rodriguez's boyfriend and a bystander called requesting help, which 911 declined.

Which is exactly what they should do.

The dispatcher told them to contact a doctor and then said paramedics wouldn’t pick her up because she was already in a hospital, and later told him to contact county police officers at a security desk. During the call, the dispatcher argued with one of the callers over whether there really was an emergency. “I cannot do anything for you for the quality of the hospital," he said.

Absolutely right on the money.

The dispatcher refused to call paramedics and told the woman that she should contact hospital supervisors “and let them know” if they were unhappy. In the midst of it, police did get invoved, and rather than assist as asked, prepared to arrest her for a parole violation.

Awesome.

I 100% side with the 911 procedures in this case. What kind of special treatment do they think she deserves because they have access to a phone and 911? If you need police assistance and you're calling 911 from inside the police station they'd tell you the same thing -- go to the desk and take it up with them. You're already at the prime destination for the help you need, and taking dispatchers and resources away from people who are in need of help to get them to those places. I bet these people would call the corporate number of a restaurant chain to complain while they're there instead of going to the manager to voice their gripe.

911 is not quality control for hospitals.