Just try to find the front entrance!
In fact, the attending physcians at SFGH are so clueless, that they actually rely on a patient's off-the-cuff jokes in idle moments to fathom up what's ailing their patients.
Disturbing!
For example, after thoroughly examining a patient over the weekend, Dr. Oiert shook his head in frustration.
No matter how long - how hard (or soft) - he pushed, patted or probed - he was unable to figure out what was triggering the pain in the middle-aged man's chest.
In the final analysis, the Doctor (obviously, wet behind the ears) was forced to admit he was stumped.
At this juncture, his medical charge laughingly recalled that his symptoms appeared to mimic those that unfolded in a hilarious Jack Nicholson film which starred Diane Keaton and Keanu Reeves.
In sum, Nicholson's character mistakes an episode of acid reflux (heartburn) for a heart attack
Eurkea!
"You're suffering from indigestion," the doctors calmly assured the patient, as he proceeded to ignore the irregular heartbeat (noticeably slipping on the EKG) and shortness of breath (about to adversely affect the patient's health in the near future if not properly checked).
But, it is the attitude of the staff at the front desk at the Emergency entrance, that is particularly shocking to encounter.
When one emotionally-distraught man was out-of-sight (off to the mensroom, I expect) the nurse on duty instructed the clerk at the admission desk to turn-away the individual when he returned because he was "too aggressive" to deal with!
Wasn't that a warning sign that the individual may be in dire need of help?
In addition, nurses in "Emergency" openly discriminate against hapless individuals.
During the course of a visit I made there, I caught sight of a nurse not only neglecting a patient who was first in line, but needlessly making a negative comment as well.
"He didn't appear to be that important," the nurse was overheard to say to the individual she randomly chose to provide hospital services to next.
Another woman - who appeared to be a homeless individual - stood at the admission desk largely ignored by a rude employee at the check-in desk.
Inside the hospital - beyond the confines of the hectic emergency department - visitors are confronted with a maze of clutter that sends up red flags here-there-and-everywhere warning about potential hygiene disasters.
At one point, I recoiled in disgust when I just about stepped in feces that was smeared on the floor.
In spite of the seriousness of the situation (germs of the worst kind spewing rampant on the floor of a hospital?) not one staff member bothered to lift a finger to cleanse the area when it was brought to their atttention.
It wasn't until I mentioned the offending "spill" to a third party later that action was finally taken.
I was particularly shocked to learn that when individuals are processed at "emergency" to register for health care, the clerk in that office trots over to the patient's bedside - when they are usually suffering and in pain - to quiz them about how much money they make a month!
Isn't that a violation of a patient's rights - or the privacy act - at least?
In view of the fact the San Francisco General boasts in its Mission Statement that they accept the needy - no matter their race, color, creed, or bank account balance - it struck me as inappropriate.
Is this a sign of what's to come with ObamaCare?
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