As 12-year-old Seth’s condition worsened, he and his family spent hours in the waiting room, his body quivering from the pain shooting across his lower belly. His mom asked why it was taking so long to be seen.
A nurse rolled her eyes and muttered, “COVID.”
👇
A nurse rolled her eyes and muttered, “COVID.”
👇
The Florida hospital was so crowded there weren't enough chairs for the family to all sit as they waited.
And waited.
And waited.
As the delta variant sweeps unvaccinated regions, hospitals are filling up and critically ill non-COVID patients have become collateral damage.
bit.ly/3nAPcuF
bit.ly/3nAPcuF
Seth was finally diagnosed with appendicitis more than six hours after arriving. Then he was moved to a different hospital for emergency surgery.
By the time the doctor operated early the next morning, Seth’s appendix had burst.
It’s a potentially fatal complication.
By the time the doctor operated early the next morning, Seth’s appendix had burst.
It’s a potentially fatal complication.
The federal government’s latest data shows Alabama is at 100% of its intensive care unit capacity.
Texas, Georgia, Mississippi and Arkansas at more than 90% ICU capacity.
Florida is just under 90%.
COVID-19 cases are dominating.
Texas, Georgia, Mississippi and Arkansas at more than 90% ICU capacity.
Florida is just under 90%.
COVID-19 cases are dominating.
“It’s unheard of to have a single diagnosis take up 30% to 40% of available ICU beds,” said Dr. Hasan Kakli, an emergency room physician.
“It’s approaching apocalyptic.”
bit.ly/3nAPcuF
“It’s approaching apocalyptic.”
bit.ly/3nAPcuF
Last week, Idaho issued new guidelines allowing overwhelmed hospitals to ration care.
In rare cases, ventilators or ICU beds may be reserved for those most likely to survive, while “patients who are not likely to survive may not be able to receive one.”
coronavirus.idaho.gov/wp-content/upl…
In rare cases, ventilators or ICU beds may be reserved for those most likely to survive, while “patients who are not likely to survive may not be able to receive one.”
coronavirus.idaho.gov/wp-content/upl…
Dr. Cedric Dark, a Houston emergency physician, said he saw a critically ill COVID-19 patient waiting in the emergency room for an ICU bed to open.
Dr. Dark worked eight hours, went home, and came in the next day.
The patient was still waiting when he returned.
Dr. Dark worked eight hours, went home, and came in the next day.
The patient was still waiting when he returned.
Dr. Kakli told us he called hospitals for six hours trying to find his patient, Daniel Wilkinson, an ICU bed.
Finally, he posted a plea on Facebook: "PLEASE HELP. MESSAGE ME IF YOU HAVE A BED...WILL FLY ANYWHERE."
Wilkinson died later that day.
Finally, he posted a plea on Facebook: "PLEASE HELP. MESSAGE ME IF YOU HAVE A BED...WILL FLY ANYWHERE."
Wilkinson died later that day.
Seth is just one of many patients paying a high price for long wait times in hospitals full of COVID patients.
“...Had these hospitals not been so crowded with COVID patients … perhaps my son’s appendix would not have burst,” his father said.
bit.ly/3nAPcuF
“...Had these hospitals not been so crowded with COVID patients … perhaps my son’s appendix would not have burst,” his father said.
bit.ly/3nAPcuF
We are not done reporting. Know anyone who has been to (or works at) a hospital that was too full to give everyone the care they needed?
Contact reporter Jenny Deam at @jenny_deam or share a tip with us at this link: bit.ly/2Xny3tb
Contact reporter Jenny Deam at @jenny_deam or share a tip with us at this link: bit.ly/2Xny3tb
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