Why is there a hospital shortage?

I've been very sick and need to be admitted to a hospital. Checked into ER yesterday about3:00PM. It is now 23 hours later. I am in pain, on a gurney (I am 73 years old with arthritis) and been having a series of severe panic attacks. I am in a room waiting to be admitted. There are DOZENS of people in the hall on gurneys also waiting.

I've been told by doctors, nurses and a janitor that this is happening because there is a severe hospital shortage.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

Update:
The hospital would not admit me. Too many patients. Some of them were from the County jail. Some of them tried to escape by distracting their keepers, the EMTs and the doctors by pulling the fire alarm; this happened twice, increasing my panic.

It bothered me that prisoners were being helped and treated while I had done honest work all of my adult life and had to wait for 2 days and then go home. I think it's right to provide medical care for prisoners but it felt, at least, as if their needs entirely superseded mine.

They kept me on a short gurney for over 48 hours, no meds. I had diarrhea and a slight UTI so, naturally,they put me far away from a restroom...and I often had to walk even further because there were people waiting for them.

Then they finally gave me one mild tranquilizer. It started working--what relief! I had been having a panic attack that had gone on for 6 days 24/7--now 8 days including my 2 days on a gurney running to and from the restrooms!

Finally, I started drifting off to sleep...hoping there'd be no more fire alarms...when someone shouted at me and turned on the bright light, I jolted awake after my 20 minute nap, the first sleep I'd had in 8 days...

They'd awakened me to get me out of the hospital.

Everything that had happened had taken a long time. If they told me a doctor would see me in an hour, it would take 4 or 5 hours. It took them 2 days to get me medication as I shook, sweated, and cried staggering to and from the restroom frequently.

But when it came time to get me out of the hospital...YOWIE!!Did they ever move fast! In 10 minutes they firmly and efficiently hustled me through:
Restroom visit
Paperwork signed
Meds explained
Me getting dressed
Total: 10 minutes by the hospital clock. And I was outta there.

Home now, had a panic attack last night. A bit calmer, still shaking and sweating. But the sun is up and I am feeling more optimistic.

Thank you for taking an interest in my problems and amazingly stressful hospital sojourn. You have all been more help than you can know.

May you never have a panic attack. And may you never, ever go to an ER in southern California on a Friday or Saturday.

Peppa · 31-35, F

@greenmountaingal jheeeeesssss youve been to hell and back. I will say this you are one tough cookie. And you made it out the otherside still a gentle soul. You are amaxing. Now your health, thats the priority, forget yesterday. Today, tonight is a new day. Feel free to contact me if you need to vent. Scream into a pillow if you need to shake off the nervous energy, or cry. Vrying is good for the soul every now and then. But tomorrow you are that greemountain warrior woman.

Best wishes abd better heakth to you.

Love you.
Lily xxxx 💕

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@Peppa Thank you. I appreciate your support. It means more than you can know and makes me feel less alone in this.