A video, now on YouTube, recorded the conspicuous neglect of a patient waiting in the psychiatric emergency room for more than 24 hours while staff ignored her writhing in pain, falling from a chair, lying on the floor of New York City's Kings County Hospital. The incident took place June 19, and the video was provided as part of a routine release of evidence in a law suit brought by the New York Civil Liberties Union. The New York Times reports part of an agreement with the hospital reduces waiting times in emergency rooms to 10-13 hours. Extremely long waits in psychiatric emergency rooms are not uncommon. This story is receiving international attention with stories appearing in Australia, Europe, and on Irish radio.
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I remember being incarcerated (hospitalized) in this very hospital numerous times during the mid-1980's. I was often shackled to poles strategically placed throughout this very waiting area where I would sit for hours - sometimes even days - without being allowed to move and rarely being fed. If I voiced any indignation I was threatened with physical and/or chemical restraint.
As a result of these experiences I instinctually shunned "treatment." Even if I felt like I needed it - this was not the kind of "treatment" I was willing to consider.
Posted by David Gonzalez | July 2, 2008 12:36 PM