I don't think its only VA hospitals that aren't nimble. Some of the VAs may be apathy and incompetency but the non-VA hospitals its CYA first (unless the patient is actually dying) and then think about actually treating the patient in a timely manner.
Going on 2 years ago, I ended up in ER with a gall stone attack. It was my 3rd in less than a month (all triggered by eating ice cream late at night--didn't learn my lesson real fast) but the last one wasn't going to quit and this time I'm puking until I'm dry heaving. The wifey was unfortunately out-of-town with her mom and sis just starting a nice little sw Fl vacation so I call my brother at about 0630. We got in the ER somewhere between 0730 and 8 and it seemed pretty quite. I couldn't really stay in any one position for more than about 2 minutes at a time. They got me in a room pretty fast and then the female ER doc comes in. I'm lucid and describe what was going on and my bro offers his professional advice (he's a doc) but Ms. ER doc had her procedure and she sure as h*** wasn't going to give me any pain meds until she was satisfied that I did have gall stones. She told my bro basically to butt out the second time he spoke up. After about an hour and half, they finally had an ultrasound done and yep, a whole bunch of rocks in there. Not that I was in level 10 pain but it sure as h*** was a pleasant 1 1/2 of being in the hospital until they finally have me a little MS into my iv line. Things calmed down pretty quick after that. Had surgery later that afternoon.
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