The Real Reason the Man Infected with Ebola not Admitted to Dallas Hospital


Dallas, Texas has one of the most advanced medical systems in the world. It's doctors, nurses, medical technicians and training are top-notch. But as to why Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas sent a Ebola-infected man home even after he told them that he had just arrived from Liberia is on everyone's minds just now.  The hospital says that it is looking into the matter, which I suspect it will still be doing months and years from now.  So, we'll just have to cut to the chase, all by ourselves. 

Dallas hospitals do not admit black patients, who show up at the emergency room.  I suppose if they're wheeled in with multiple gunshot wounds, that's a different matter.  But this city actually has two health care systems.  One is for  whites and the other is for blacks. No, that's not quite true either.  While my experience is that of an African-American, I believe it would be appropriate to include poor whites and Hispanics among those given the bum's rush out the shiny glass doors of our beautifully-maintained, expensive, and well-equipped hospitals as well.

This African man came to Presbyterian Hospital.  It did not matter how prepared the Emergency Room was for treating highly infectious diseases.   The default setting took over.  And that is, give the black fellow a prescription for something, maybe even a few free antibiotic packets and then usher the person out the door.

What the hospital staff was mentally prepared for was a white health worker or doctor brought back from West Africa with Ebola. Now, we would have seen the hospital functioning at its best.

In fact this man's nephew had to call the Center for Disease Control before the hospital would even take action.  I'm annoyed at how Presbyterian hospital officials are now shaking their heads, pretending confusion at this shameful lapse in protocol, which could have put the entire city at risk of a virulent and fatal disease.

Dallas has top medical research facilities and some of the world's most noted specialists.  What it doesn't yet have is a global view of the humanity its hospitals are mandated to treat.
  

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