Family says elderly patient left alone in hospital lobby after heart surgery
The family of an elderly patient said the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center didn’t tell them their father was being discharged after heart surgery, leaving him waiting an hour alone in a lobby to get picked up.
Sharlet Ramsland said she received a frantic call Wednesday morning from her 80-year-old father, Allen Ramsland, who said he was getting sent out of the hospital. She said she drove an hour to Boston to find her immobile father sitting with a dead cell phone, dressed in two hospital gowns and a pair of yellow socks.
Beth Israel Deaconess spokeswoman Jennifer Kritz said the hospital could not legally comment on individual patients, but it conducts thorough reviews whenever concerns arise.
“We are deeply committed to providing the highest quality care and treating our patients with dignity and respect,’’ Kritz said in an emailed statement.
Allen received a stent from Beth Israel Deaconess on Tuesday after having a heart attack the day before, Sharlet said. He was transferred there from another hospital where all of his clothes were left.
His wife Ruby said they were expecting a notification from the hospital sometime Wednesday letting them know when he would be released, but Allen was discharged without notice.
“It was dangerous,’’ said Ruby. “He’s not steady on his feet.’’
Sharlet and Ruby said the family does not plan on taking legal action — but they want to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.
Allen was able to get “phenomenal’’ treatment at Beth Israel Deaconess, Sharlet said.
“I’m torn about this,’’ Sharlet said. “It was terrible, embarrassing, and humiliating, but the hospital gave my dad exceptional care.’’
