"I have a problem with cyclists"
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
"I have a problem with cyclists"
"I have a problem with cyclists, always slowing me down" - that's what the ER med tech told me as I was finally getting checked in to ER.
I had other things on my mind at the moment, but now after the emergency surgery, a day in ICU, a couple in the Trauma unit, and some recovery I can't help but wonder if that had something to do with having to sit in an empty ER lobby for half an hour, with a collapsed lung and internal bleeding. Since they already had X-rays and a diagnosis from an Urgent Care clinic, which they didn't even glance at, was it because their admissions techs "have a problem with cyclists"?
I dunno, maybe they simply didn't think it as urgent as the surgeons, nurses and doctors did. But after I'm recovered from all this, I'm going to call around to the local hospitals and find one that doesn't "have a problem with cyclists". Something to consider, that you probably never thought was necessary.
I had other things on my mind at the moment, but now after the emergency surgery, a day in ICU, a couple in the Trauma unit, and some recovery I can't help but wonder if that had something to do with having to sit in an empty ER lobby for half an hour, with a collapsed lung and internal bleeding. Since they already had X-rays and a diagnosis from an Urgent Care clinic, which they didn't even glance at, was it because their admissions techs "have a problem with cyclists"?
I dunno, maybe they simply didn't think it as urgent as the surgeons, nurses and doctors did. But after I'm recovered from all this, I'm going to call around to the local hospitals and find one that doesn't "have a problem with cyclists". Something to consider, that you probably never thought was necessary.
#2
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,305
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3876 Post(s)
Liked 4,781 Times
in
2,206 Posts
Was there any triage in progress in the ER?
Maybe you should be glad your injuries weren't such that you became a higher priority.
Getting to a well run hospital is important when it matters, if you have a choice.
Maybe you should be glad your injuries weren't such that you became a higher priority.
Getting to a well run hospital is important when it matters, if you have a choice.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,600
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18320 Post(s)
Liked 4,489 Times
in
3,338 Posts
Care to fill us in on what happened BEFORE you arrived at the hospital... or is it a blank?
And, how did you arrive at Urgent Care with a collapsed lung & internal bleeding? Our local hospital is trying to separate "Urgent Care" from "ER" which would be fine for a hospital associated general/family practice office.
However, if you have some kind of a traumatic event sending you to the hospital, then it should be directly to the ER, do triage from there.
And, any transfers, Urgent Care to ER should be room to room, without going back out to the waiting room.
And, how did you arrive at Urgent Care with a collapsed lung & internal bleeding? Our local hospital is trying to separate "Urgent Care" from "ER" which would be fine for a hospital associated general/family practice office.
However, if you have some kind of a traumatic event sending you to the hospital, then it should be directly to the ER, do triage from there.
And, any transfers, Urgent Care to ER should be room to room, without going back out to the waiting room.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
Care to fill us in on what happened BEFORE you arrived at the hospital... or is it a blank?
And, how did you arrive at Urgent Care with a collapsed lung & internal bleeding? Our local hospital is trying to separate "Urgent Care" from "ER" which would be fine for a hospital associated general/family practice office.
However, if you have some kind of a traumatic event sending you to the hospital, then it should be directly to the ER, do triage from there.
And, any transfers, Urgent Care to ER should be room to room, without going back out to the waiting room.
And, how did you arrive at Urgent Care with a collapsed lung & internal bleeding? Our local hospital is trying to separate "Urgent Care" from "ER" which would be fine for a hospital associated general/family practice office.
However, if you have some kind of a traumatic event sending you to the hospital, then it should be directly to the ER, do triage from there.
And, any transfers, Urgent Care to ER should be room to room, without going back out to the waiting room.
" Eh a tech will look at that later just sit over there sir". I'm half serious, did the fact it was a cycling accident deprioritize it?
I went through triage pretty quickly, straight to a Cat-scan and then surgery.
Maybe you should be glad your injuries weren't such that you became a higher priority.
Mod's please lock thread.
Getting to a well run hospital is important when it matters, if you have a choice.[/QUOTE]
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,600
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18320 Post(s)
Liked 4,489 Times
in
3,338 Posts
I don't believe there was any disrespect intended by members here.
Everything I've observed of our local hospital, they're reasonably supportive of bike commuters, and have several large restricted entry bike cages for hospital employees, and a row of single bike cages in the basement parking garage for "customer" use. Also, several bike racks scattered around. Even a "No Smoking on campus" policy (so one isn't always getting smoke blown in one's face when one is locking up a bike). I haven't heard any negative comments to me/about me when I've arrived by bike.
And, I've found that bike commuting is handy for shuttling when a patient can drive in, but needs a ride home. Just toss the bike in the back of the car.
The last time I was visiting my mother in the ER, I had to stop at the reception desk to check in. Someone came up behind me that I didn't notice, and I was asked to wait for the "patient" to be served before the "visitor" which was fine by me. 30 seconds later I got the room number and visitor's badge.
I did have an experience a few years ago when we brought my grandmother into Urgent Care. She walked into Urgent Care, and had a stroke while waiting to be examined. She was transferred to the ER by Ambulance (one end of the hospital to the other), and I believe was in an ER room by the time we got down there.
We were told never to take an Octogenarian to Urgent Care. Go directly to the ER. But, she was disoriented, but walking when we entered the hospital.
I think it is a bad thing about the Medical System is to always make patients wait. Poor Staffing & Scheduling?
Your transfer first to Urgent Care, then from Urgent Care to the ER waiting room, then into the ER, then up to the ICU sounds very odd, and sounds like a system failure.
I would hope that some patients can go directly from the door to the ICU or Trauma Center.
I'm still not quite sure what that kind of a statement actually means in either the riding on the road, or ER context.
However, if you are still in the hospital, perhaps see if you can talk to an administrator about the statement by the tech (his name should be logged somewhere), as well as the general roundabout path for your admission to the ICU. That sounds like more of a systemic failure.
If there is a choice of local hospitals, perhaps once you're back on the road, you can tour some others. Although, trauma triage usually takes a person to the closest hospital (generally into the ER or Trauma Center).
Insurance Coverage?
Everything I've observed of our local hospital, they're reasonably supportive of bike commuters, and have several large restricted entry bike cages for hospital employees, and a row of single bike cages in the basement parking garage for "customer" use. Also, several bike racks scattered around. Even a "No Smoking on campus" policy (so one isn't always getting smoke blown in one's face when one is locking up a bike). I haven't heard any negative comments to me/about me when I've arrived by bike.
And, I've found that bike commuting is handy for shuttling when a patient can drive in, but needs a ride home. Just toss the bike in the back of the car.
The last time I was visiting my mother in the ER, I had to stop at the reception desk to check in. Someone came up behind me that I didn't notice, and I was asked to wait for the "patient" to be served before the "visitor" which was fine by me. 30 seconds later I got the room number and visitor's badge.
I did have an experience a few years ago when we brought my grandmother into Urgent Care. She walked into Urgent Care, and had a stroke while waiting to be examined. She was transferred to the ER by Ambulance (one end of the hospital to the other), and I believe was in an ER room by the time we got down there.
We were told never to take an Octogenarian to Urgent Care. Go directly to the ER. But, she was disoriented, but walking when we entered the hospital.
I think it is a bad thing about the Medical System is to always make patients wait. Poor Staffing & Scheduling?
Your transfer first to Urgent Care, then from Urgent Care to the ER waiting room, then into the ER, then up to the ICU sounds very odd, and sounds like a system failure.
I would hope that some patients can go directly from the door to the ICU or Trauma Center.
I'm still not quite sure what that kind of a statement actually means in either the riding on the road, or ER context.
However, if you are still in the hospital, perhaps see if you can talk to an administrator about the statement by the tech (his name should be logged somewhere), as well as the general roundabout path for your admission to the ICU. That sounds like more of a systemic failure.
If there is a choice of local hospitals, perhaps once you're back on the road, you can tour some others. Although, trauma triage usually takes a person to the closest hospital (generally into the ER or Trauma Center).
Insurance Coverage?
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 9,201
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1186 Post(s)
Liked 289 Times
in
177 Posts
I think that's a fairly common sentiment. Unfortunately, it was voiced at a sensitive time for you. No idea if it impacted your speed of care, one would hope not.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: columbus, ohio
Posts: 895
Bikes: Soma Saga, 1980 Schwinn Voyageur 11.8, New Albion Privateer
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
7 Posts
I would be really angry if a med tech said something like that to me as I was getting checked into to ER. Although, I would hope her ignorant comment would not cloud her judgment... but one never knows.
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
I've asked Moderator to close this thread and you folks should respect that and refrain from further comment or speculation about what I'm doing wrong, my insurance, or what I don't understand about that ER check-in. Thanks for your consideration.
#9
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,501
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3873 Post(s)
Liked 1,920 Times
in
1,369 Posts
My wife had a similar experience after a cycling accident. The ER doc sent her home with a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) and 6 broken ribs, not even any pain meds. He later apologized. ERs do have issues, mostly related to time pressures on the docs. She finally got treatment 3 days later.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
#10
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 406 Times
in
254 Posts
No it's not a blank, no I do not care to provide details and yes I was a transfer from Urgent Care. With the x-rays and diagnosis as I mentioned. All the paperwork, and that's what the Urgent Care told me.
" Eh a tech will look at that later just sit over there sir". I'm half serious, did the fact it was a cycling accident deprioritize it?
" Eh a tech will look at that later just sit over there sir". I'm half serious, did the fact it was a cycling accident deprioritize it?
You're (perversely) lucky it was only 30 minutes.
#11
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
Get a lawyer to pursue it against the hospital. Make it cost her her job, before it costs someone else his or her life.
Sorry about your injuries. If it was the result of a vehicle/bike collision, I am very sorry, but make sure your lawyer has this info as well.
Does she lecture drunk drivers about being drunk? I'm going to bet not, and if she did, it would still be unprofessional, and withholding medical aid would still be a breach of ethics. So what she did was pretty low, epecially if it was a collision incident, given how unlikely it is to be the cyclist's fault.
Sorry about your injuries. If it was the result of a vehicle/bike collision, I am very sorry, but make sure your lawyer has this info as well.
Does she lecture drunk drivers about being drunk? I'm going to bet not, and if she did, it would still be unprofessional, and withholding medical aid would still be a breach of ethics. So what she did was pretty low, epecially if it was a collision incident, given how unlikely it is to be the cyclist's fault.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,529
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2111 Post(s)
Liked 663 Times
in
443 Posts
- "Have you ever ridden with North Shore Cyclists?" A question during one of my exams.
- At one hospital there are so many bike racks filled with bicycles of the many staff who ride to the hospital that I have had trouble finding a parking place.
- Orthopedics took a strong interest in getting me off my knee scooter and back on my bicycle. They did not even blink about thumbs upping back on my bike in January just a few weeks after I started walking on my own two feet. "Just be extra careful on your dismounts."
- I've biked to my PT just about every appointment.
- MASCO is one of the strongest advocates for biking in Longwood Medical Area and Boston.
What happened to you is completely unacceptable.
-mr. bill
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
@wgscott I'm not going to see a lawyer about that, but I will speak to the hospital administrator about it later.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,528
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5219 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times
in
2,331 Posts
what the heck? does she prefer gun shot victims more? or is she a splinter or sprained ankle kind of gal? & just how many cyclists are going in there?
#15
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,522
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,798 Times
in
1,798 Posts
I'll bet if you grilled the med tech she probably also has "a problem" with lots of other people whose niche interests or demographics differ from her narrow world view. It's pretty rare for someone to "have a problem" with one type of person. Well, except for ex-spouses.
Likes For canklecat:
#16
Hump, what hump?
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: SC midlands
Posts: 1,937
Bikes: See signature
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 337 Post(s)
Liked 227 Times
in
145 Posts
When someone is holding you up from urgent medical aid for a potentially life threatening injury, to lecture you on how she disapproves of you instead of doing her job, you might phrase it other than "a common sentiment at a sensitive time". Obviously she had more to say about it until I shut her down.
I've asked Moderator to close this thread and you folks should respect that and refrain from further comment or speculation about what I'm doing wrong, my insurance, or what I don't understand about that ER check-in. Thanks for your consideration.
I've asked Moderator to close this thread and you folks should respect that and refrain from further comment or speculation about what I'm doing wrong, my insurance, or what I don't understand about that ER check-in. Thanks for your consideration.
__________________
2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
#17
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,936
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3571 Post(s)
Liked 3,367 Times
in
1,916 Posts
Probably not. The fact that you were apparently alert and oriented, not showing acute respiratory distress, and at least somewhat ambulatory probably bumped more acutely ill patients in front of you in the queue.
Likes For JohnDThompson:
#19
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,936
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3571 Post(s)
Liked 3,367 Times
in
1,916 Posts
You probably don't know what was happening in all the exam rooms. They could have been running a "Code Blue" in one, for all you know. If you were in respiratory distress, did they at least start some supplemental oxygen? If not, somebody dropped the ball.
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
But you really should understand that waiting in the lobby isn't what I've been complaining about. I haven't complained about ANY of the medical treatment there.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bristol, R. I.
Posts: 4,340
Bikes: Specialized Secteur, old Peugeot
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 663 Post(s)
Liked 496 Times
in
299 Posts
I've been thinking a good amount about such thoughtless behavior after reading several books about sociopaths. Among the things I learned was that sociopaths and psychopaths worm their way into positions of responsibility and authority. Such positions make it possible for such people to remain hidden while creating havoc on those around them. The most recent and extreme example is that of a German nurse who was charged with murdering scores of people. A well known example is Ted Bundy who was an EMT. Sociopaths seem to be a less extreme version of similar behavior and the common thread is lack of empathy.
According to psychologists who study the condition, about 3-4% of the population are sociopaths but their positions of responsibility and authority produces more mayhem and confusion than their actual numbers would indicate. Another milder example, one we are more familiar with, is the individuals who delight is derailing threads on internet forums but do not add any useful content to the thread itself.
Having said all the above, most of my own experience with medical people, but not all, finds them professional and caring.
According to psychologists who study the condition, about 3-4% of the population are sociopaths but their positions of responsibility and authority produces more mayhem and confusion than their actual numbers would indicate. Another milder example, one we are more familiar with, is the individuals who delight is derailing threads on internet forums but do not add any useful content to the thread itself.
Having said all the above, most of my own experience with medical people, but not all, finds them professional and caring.
Likes For berner:
#22
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,936
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3571 Post(s)
Liked 3,367 Times
in
1,916 Posts
N.B. I am a retired Registered Nurse with over 25 years of hospital based acute care experience, including Pulmonary Medicine. And I have personally had a collapsed lung and chest tube insertion, so I can empathize with that as well.
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
They may have already received the transfer documents and imaging electronically. If they didn't at least check your oxygen saturation level and offer supplemental oxygen, that could be an issue.
N.B. I am a retired Registered Nurse with over 25 years of hospital based acute care experience, including Pulmonary Medicine. And I have personally had a collapsed lung and chest tube insertion, so I can empathize with that as well.
N.B. I am a retired Registered Nurse with over 25 years of hospital based acute care experience, including Pulmonary Medicine. And I have personally had a collapsed lung and chest tube insertion, so I can empathize with that as well.
Except maybe, waking up during the tube insertion and take it from me you DO feel it regardless of what they tell you. That had nothing to do with someone hating on cyclists though.
#24
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,936
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3571 Post(s)
Liked 3,367 Times
in
1,916 Posts
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2578 Post(s)
Liked 1,901 Times
in
1,193 Posts
If you haven't already, you're likely to get a survey to fill out Real Soon Now on how you liked your treatment. If you can remember Ms. Problem's name, calling her out and giving the hospital a low rating because of her attitude is likely to get you some attention. Just don't ever go where she's working for the rest of your life...