I”d like to give some feedback regarding some community service rendered to a close friend of mine in Lake County on Friday night the 29th of December.
Richard, a vet in his late 50s and his adult son, Jason, had taken a room at a local casino, unwilling to drive after drinking some beer. Richard hadn”t eaten since morning; he takes medicine for high blood pressure and to thin his blood. Alone in the room, he fell in the bathroom and split the back of his head badly. Jason came in and helped his father to a better position, called the hotel staff for help and also 911. He put pressure on the wound but the bleeding was bad.
The hotel personnel were so competent and caring, respectful and helpful. The paramedics also were wonderful. However, the deputy sheriff who arrived was insulting, saying that with all the blood on Jason and the yelling when he discovered his father (who is hard of hearing), it seemed likely that the cause of Richard”s injury was a fight with his son. I saw the pattern of blood on Jason”s clothes, and clearly it was from his rescue efforts, not a fight!
At a local hospital, Richard arrived wearing only his boxers and the bandages on his head. He was never given any gown or pajama bottoms. No blood was drawn to see if his blood sugar was too low or if he”d lost too much blood. His head required a dozen stitches and he and Jason were told to leave. As they stood talking about who they could call for transportation, a nurse told them to get out of the ER and into the lobby. Richard grabbed a flannel sheet off the gurney, the bloody one, and waited while Jason got me and my friend to pick them up. What a sight, Richard all bloody, wrapped in a bloody sheet. Luckily we had the car warm and sort of close to the exit.
While the hospital staff and the sheriff really upset me by being disrespectful and minimal in their “service,” I was so impressed with the paramedics and the casino staff. The bartender even called Richard the next day to see if he was okay and to urge him to eat well when he drinks and when he doesn”t.
Kay Lieserknecht, R.N.
Ukiah
