Are You Planning On Putting That Insulin In Your Ear?
Hospital, Impossible Demands, Massachusetts, Patients, USA | Healthy | December 27, 2021
I’m in the ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) department in the local hospital, waiting for an appointment with many other people. A woman’s name is called; she’s an older woman in a wheelchair, accompanied by her two daughters, who checked in just before me.
A woman with a cane follows them out of the waiting room, which seems odd because I haven’t seen her with them at all.
The nurse asks the woman with the cane if she’s with the patient whose name was called.
Woman: “No, I need insulin. Can you give me insulin?”
Nurse: “No, I’m sorry. We don’t have insulin here. You’d have to go to the ER.”
Woman: “I don’t want to; I’m here. I just need insulin.”
Nurse: “This is the ENT clinic. We don’t have insulin here. You need to go to the ER if you need insulin right now.”
Woman: “It’s too far!”
It’s in another wing of the hospital. If you use a cane, maybe it’s too far.
Woman: “I have an appointment here. I just need insulin.”
Nurse: “We really don’t have any insulin.”
Woman: “If I have to go to the ER to get it, it’ll be your fault I’m late for my appointment!”
Nurse: “Appointment?”
Woman: “Yes, I have an appointment with [Ear Doctor] in twenty minutes!”
She did end up leaving, I assume to go elsewhere for insulin. She wasn’t back by the time my name was called! I’m not sure if she thought the ear doctor is a one-stop-shop for all your medical needs?
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