The Albany Herald reports this morning of Margurete Burns, an 81 year old Albany woman, who suffered a head injury back in February. After being initially treated in Douglasville, Burns returned home. The next day, she got a phone call telling her to get medical treatment immediately. So, she went to Palmyra. The ER doctor apparently felt she needed a neurosurgeon, so he contacted Phoebe. They allegedly refused to take her, so she was airlifted to Macon.
Now, let’s ignore the fact that there are laws stating that hospitals can’t refuse to treat people, and go right to Phoebe’s own charter.
You see, Phoebe was created thanks to the generosity of Judge Putney, who put in three stipulations for the hospital. One, was he wanted it named after his mother, Phoebe. Next, he wanted it built out of non-flammable materials. There had been a lot of hospital fires during that time, as most were built out of wood, and he didn’t want that to happen. Finally, as this was the Deep South, the hospital couldn’t refuse treatment to anyone for any reason. This prevented Phoebe from being a “White’s Only” or “Colored Only” during segregation. Both whites and blacks were treated there.
However, we see that Phoebe doesn’t mind violating it’s own charter. Phoebe claims the issue is a “communications issue”. I don’t know though. The word “no” is usually pretty damn clear and not open for interpretation, wouldn’t you say?
I think that Phoebe didn’t accept her transfer because they didn’t have a neurosurgeon on call. That happens frequently. They were right to reject the transfer if they couldn’t care for her appropriately.
I have several concerns. One, is that Phoebe SHOULD have neurosurgeons and other specialists necessary for trauma care available at all times. Phoebe is not a “trauma center”. This should upset everyone around here. If you’re in a car accident, or have a bleeding stroke, you may not be able to get appropriate care in that golden first hour. There is only one trauma center south of the gnat line, and that is in the smaller city of Thomasville. Centers in Florida cover the extreme southern areas, but around here, the others closest are Macon, Columbus, and Dothan. Trauma centers cost money. Phoebe has plenty. The community should demand this level of care. Lives depend on it.
My second concern is with the Herald. This story was taken off the website by Saturday afternoon. It is just not available. Since then, there have been several puff pieces lauding Phoebe – baby sleep sacks, virtual baby trainers, and a feature about a Phoebe director’s kid in medical school. I have attempted to leave a comment about the coverage of the more important trauma story on those stories, but my comments have not been posted. I have also emailed the editors, but no response.
I can’t comment on the Herald’s editorial policy, but it is disconcerting to hear that they pulled down the article. Even a piece sharing Phoebe’s side would be preferable, since it lets people make up their own mind. But, despite it’s non-profit status (more or less), it is the Leviathan here in Albany. It seems like Phoebe directs things in this town in ways that I suspect we don’t even understand. I only hope that the issue at the Herald is a case of an internal decision based SOLELY on it’s own thoughts and not because that particular article had anything to do with Phoebe itself.
Of course, I haven’t ruled out that unicorns are real either
They will treat those without insurance or citizenship, but in order to get a punch at Palmyra they do this? This shows you how Phoebe has bullied it’s way in town. Additionally, if they didn’t buy up all that property on it’s non-profit status we would not all have to be making up the difference in the budgetary needs of the city on OUR property taxes. Phoebe has it’s tentacles into albany and the surrounding areas too. WE need Palmyra to end the monopoly.