Hospital Hurling Incident Draws Police Response

Hollee Sifford October 10, 2012 at 03:45 am

Seek medical attention at Upper Cheasapeake?Well if she was ill why would u ask her to leave an if she was "HURLING" objects and body fluids there is a floor designated for people that are unbalanced and i do not believe Upper Cheasapeake is equipped for that type of patient?Just saying......Mayb i am missing something?

Gracie K October 10, 2012 at 10:38 am

Why is 'hurling' news? What's news is that the local hospital would not treat a sick patient.

Todd M. Lynch October 10, 2012 at 12:39 pm

Ok, before this gets out of hand, everyone needs to be clear on something. Hospitals are required to stabilize anyone who seeks treatment and treat any life threatening injuries. We do not know what this persons diagnosis was, but vomiting can be associated with numerius non life threatening illnesses and if this person had enough energy to fling a pan at staff, I doubt her life was in danger. Therefore staff had every right to remove her from the property and recommend she seek treatment elsewhere, Upper Chesapeake being the closest E.R. As far as the reference to her possibly needing mental health treatment...being a jerk does not qualify you to be seen on that floor.

Todd M. Lynch October 10, 2012 at 12:39 pm

I am familiar with most of the staff of Harfords E.R. and they are a professional group that would go out of their way to treat and care for anyone who walks through their doors. But patience has its limits...and I know mine would be well before a pan of vomit being hurled at me. These professionals train for a long long time, work long hard hours, are subjected to physical and emotional fatigue on a daily basis and rarely even recieve thanks. This is something they should not have to deal with. So, while this is not headline breaking news, reducing it to "local hospital would not treat sick patient" is absurd. I am certain this was a decision made by the staff member involved, the charge nurse, a hospital administrator, security and probably the pokice. To remove a patient would be a decision not arrived at lightly.

Hollee Sifford October 10, 2012 at 02:13 pm

I understand the hard work and hours that hospital staff put in to a work day...never would minimize that however.....IF the patient was medically and mentally stable then I understand discharging the patient but it sounds as though she definitely had some underlying issues and NO the staff is not there to be abused by any means..Just wanted to make my opinion clear:) AND Todd u r right this is NOT headlining news......How bout this for headline news WARRIORS sunk Mariners and this Friday is homecoming week-end for HHS......Lets see how many people come out and support a GREAT bunch of athletes friday nite:).......GO WARRIORS:)

Karen green October 10, 2012 at 04:27 pm

I was a patient at Harford Memorial Hospital during this incident and many others. The ER staff is dedicated and the people they treat and the number of patients who mistreat them is unbelieveable. Until I became a "frequent flyer" with my recent health issues, I had no idea as to what the ER Staff is subjected to. Many of those coming to the ER are there because of addictions or foolish actions and belive they should receive immediate attention and alleviation of their pain regardless of trauma sufered by anyone else. An addiction to Dilaudid, Percocet, etc. does not trump a heart attack or an emergency surgery. I commend the ER Staff for removing a person who was endangering others (not just staff) by tossing body fluids around and for trained personnel recognizing that Universal Precautions had to be followed. The staff behaved appropriately in this situation and in many others that did not make headlines. I trusted them with my life for several weeks and I am still here because they exercised good judgement. On behalf of the hundreds served and saved during the time of my hospitalization, kudos to everyone at HMH from Housekeeping, Dietary, Environmental Services, Security, Registration, Guest Services, Technicians, Lab Workers, Nurses, Doctors, Administrators, et al. You are my HEROES! I will sing your praises forever.

Covington October 14, 2012 at 04:53 pm

Agree with all the positive comments. Too often the judgement of the Medical Profession is questioned, by those with absolutely no medical knowledge. We in the Profession put up with this on a regular basis and this article is an example of that !

One Big Day October 14, 2012 at 08:23 pm

Hopefully the employee(s) that this female decided to throw her vomit on pressed charges against her. I certainly would have before I had her removed from the premises. Whether mentally or physically sick she needs to be responsible for her actions. This is probably not the first time or last of the patients disgusting behavior. Anyone can claim they are mentally unstable to avoid punishment nowadays.

maseis1 October 14, 2012 at 10:56 pm

Last I checked the patients are paying for a service. That in turn would make them the customer. SOOTired of medical establishments acting like they are doing favors when they are being paid for a service.

Steve October 16, 2012 at 12:48 am

Just try working in a facility such as a detention center, where you get feces and urine flung at you. Nobody deserves that, NOBODY. Whatever happened to "walk a mile in another's shoes"? Everybody is so self-centered and high and mighty when they criticize, yet these are the ones that would NEVER be in that position, so HOW WOULD THEY KNOW what it's like? How much restraint to these people have? Put the shoe on the other foot.

Covington October 16, 2012 at 01:05 am

Patients, NOT customers, are receiving Medical Care, not "a service". Never thought taking care of them was doing them a favor.....They did us a favor, by allowing us to help them regain their health !

Maria P October 18, 2012 at 12:10 am

I wonder why they asked this patient to go seek medical care at another facillity but we the healthcare professionals have to deal with different patient's personalities. I have seen many of them cursing at me because the hospital I work for does not accept their insurance like I am guilty for that. There was no need for someone to have this kind of behavior...she may be mentally disabled...I guess...