A tragic case

Re “Tale of last 90 minutes of woman’s life,” May 20

I am appalled that Edith Isabel Rodriguez came to Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital three times in three days for unrelenting pain but died from a perforated large bowel nevertheless.

This heartless treatment of an ill patient goes beyond the nurses and other staff who saw Rodriguez the last 90 minutes of her life. David Janssen, the county’s chief administrative officer, says that “there’s no excuse,” but then states, “it’s a tragic, tragic incident, but it’s not a systemic one” and that he is concerned that the incident will divert attention from preparing for a review. If a person can die from a perforated bowel after being seen in the emergency room three times in three days, this cruel incompetence certainly involves more than the triage nurse who resigned. Rodriguez’s boyfriend pleaded for help from the hospital staff, police and a 911 dispatcher. He was relieved to have her arrested because he was told she would finally receive medical care. If Janssen believes this incident is not an example of the “systemic” poor medical performance of King-Harbor Hospital, he too should resign.

MARK SCOTT LAWRENCE

Bellflower

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How senseless and totally horrific. The nurse in particular should face criminal charges, along with all others involved who did not provide care for this woman. Anyone with any kind of medical knowledge can understand that pain, especially in the abdomen, can be difficult to handle. This could happen to anyone entering a hospital seeking care from the incompetent staff working today.

The Board of Supervisors should make sure criminal charges are filed to send a strong message to staff: No more of this kind of senseless and discriminatory behavior.

BERTHA WASHINGTON

La Verne