Citation

Bayley C. Narrat. Inq. Bioeth. 2015; 5(3): 271-277.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Johns Hopkins University Press)

DOI

10.1353/nib.2015.0066

PMID

26752582

Abstract

A woman admitted to the emergency room of a hospital died because no surgeon could be found to stop the bleeding from injuries she sustained in a farming accident. The case points to ethical shortcomings both institutionally and professionally. The call system is inadequate, and physician fears of being sued or insufficiently compensated contribute to the overall problem. Potential responses include the institutional equivalent of a root cause analysis and an understanding of the pressures brought to bear on physicians to treat emergencies.

Language: en