Woman Trapped In CT Scanner For Several Hours

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california_chief - 28 Sep 2007 22:03 GMT

Tucson, Arizona
Friday, September 28, 2007

Woman Trapped In CT Scanner For Several Hours

A woman battling cancer, had a different "fight" Thursday evening.

Pima County Sheriff deputies say 67-year-old Elvira Tellez was left for
hours in a CT scanner at a northwest side medical office.

It happened at the Arizona Oncology Associates center, near Rudasill and La
Cholla Boulavard.

Tellez was diagnosed with bone cancer and had been sent to the clinic for
tests to see if her cancer had spread. Tellez says that's when the staff
apparently forgot about her.

She spent nearly five hours in the machine, before she was able to free
herself. She immediately called her son in California, who told her to call
911. A short time later, deputies arrived told her to unlock the door to
the building, and helped her outside.

Tellez was taken to a hospital as a precaution, but was released later that
night.

Tellez and her family are waiting for a written explanation. A physician at
Arizona Oncology says this not the first time this has happened.

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Steve Jordan - 29 Sep 2007 00:17 GMT

> Tellez was diagnosed with bone cancer and had been sent to the clinic for
> tests to see if her cancer had spread.

I'm guessing myeloma.

> Tellez says that's when the staff apparently forgot about her.

Careless idiots.

> She spent nearly five hours in the machine, before she was able to free
> herself. She immediately called her son in California, who told her to call
> 911. A short time later, deputies arrived told her to unlock the door to
> the building, and helped her outside.

*"told her to unlock the door"* Hello?

> Tellez was taken to a hospital as a precaution, but was released later that
> night.

AIUI, the exposure time is automagically set, otherwise she would have
been a crispy critter.

> Tellez and her family are waiting for a written explanation.

That won't prevent the inevitable lawsuit.

> A physician at Arizona Oncology says this not the first time this has happened.

That was Steven Ketchel, who will maybe be fired for loose lips.

Legally, that's called "an admission against interest." Dunno how much a
claim settlement would help toward reform, especially as the money will
come from the insurers (less the deductible). Maybe a good butt-kicking
would be more meaningful.

Regards,

Steve J

"We have not lost faith, but we have transferred it from God to the
medical profession."
-- George Bernard Shaw

Reply to this Message

cpw - 30 Sep 2007 00:22 GMT

On Sep 28, 5:03 pm, "california_chief"
<Fire_Chief@Jamacha_Junction_FD.ca.us> wrote:

> Tucson, Arizona
> Friday, September 28, 2007
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> Tellez and her family are waiting for a written explanation. A physician at
> Arizona Oncology says this not the first time this has happened.

Ummmmm, I call bullshiat. Why didn't she just get up?
Typically, patients are not restrained for a CT.
Just saying...I'm a radiologist.

Reply to this Message

Heather - 30 Sep 2007 02:55 GMT

> On Sep 28, 5:03 pm, "california_chief"
> <Fire_Chief@Jamacha_Junction_FD.ca.us> wrote:
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> Typically, patients are not restrained for a CT.
> Just saying...I'm a radiologist.

Have to agree with you on that one. I have had them and watched Ron
have them....there are no restraints.

The next thing you will see is a multi-gazillion dollar lawsuit by her,
much like the McDonalds hot coffee in the crotch fiasco which is caused
in large part by a peculiar thing the US allows in law......and which we
do not want up here....

"contingency fees" Meaning I will take your case for nada and only
charge you 30 or 40% of whatever I win.

As Steven said......"horse pucky".

Meanwhile, picture this one.....which is a true story because it
happened to me and I was not a happy puppy......

I had a breast lump and went in for a biopsy about 10 yrs ago. I was
taken to a tiny room at the end of a LONG hallway and 3 nurses and 2
doctors (one observing) were there. They were really quite nice and the
biopsy doctor (using that gun you guys get in the prostate) took about 4
biopsies. I do recall the 'observing doctor' asking me if I felt all
right because apparently I was pretty ashen. Hell, I was scared to
death!! And yes, I had freezing.

When it was over, they all left....every cotton-pickin' one of
them......and told me to rest up until I felt ready to leave. I guess
they thought that someone would be there with me. Nope.

I was on a gurney. I had one hell of a time getting off because there
was no one to help me. There was also no bell to ring for help. I
almost passed out and sat on a chair for a while and somehow got the
strength to walk back out this now HUGE LONG hallway and out the door to
Ron waiting in the car.

Why in hell didn't I complain.......I still wonder to this moment.
However, after being told that I just might have breast cancer (my
mother did) and going thru with the biopsy, that was just a tad more
important (and frightening) at that particular time.

But I think now that I should have used the phone in the so-called
biopsy room to page "I've fallen and I can't get up" all over the whole
friggin' hospital.......that would have been worth a gazillion dollars
to me...lol.

In other words, sh*t happens and it just ain't worth worrying about. In
this woman's case, nothing happened. But she will try for a big
settlement, I am sure.

Heather

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