symbolic_love t1_jamvvyl wrote on March 2, 2023 at 3:59 PM

Replace just one of those cops in the video with a social worker and this would have ended differently.

agreensandcastle t1_jan1x3p wrote on March 2, 2023 at 4:38 PM

I would usually agree with you but as she died from a stroke that was being ignored by “medical professionals “ I have my doubts. She was failed to an extraordinary degree.

fishythepete t1_janmy28 wrote on March 2, 2023 at 6:59 PM

I’m sure there are some social workers who would ignore the doctors’ finding, but I expect they’re few and far between.

manicmonday122 t1_jaoe8qw wrote on March 2, 2023 at 9:57 PM

I’m definitely not siding with the cops but what is a social worker going to do? Tell the physician he had to see a patient he just discharged. The cop in the video said the hospital wouldn’t take her back.

symbolic_love t1_japt5b7 wrote on March 3, 2023 at 4:22 AM

Yes I imagine a social worker would likely advocate for the patient’s care in this case, and yes I believe that would have made a difference. Hospitals want to avoid lawsuits, and it is easier to say “no” to a lone vulnerable individual than it is to say “no” to a trained professional who knows the details of the relevant regulations.

Edit: In addition social workers are skilled at assessing individual’s needs, and in this case may have gotten a more clear picture of what was going on with the woman - such as by offering to call a family member who could have provided additional health information.

manicmonday122 t1_jaqjc70 wrote on March 3, 2023 at 9:28 AM

Of course, they want to avoid lawsuits, but Emtala is a very costly one. The issue for the cops or social worker is the hospital just medically cleared her and said they wouldn't take her back. I don't know if there was another hospital in the city but that leaves very few options for the social worker or cops!