Woman dies in hospital waiting room, no one around her tries to help

Collapses, waits 45 minutes for response

KINGS COUNTY (WABC) -- A 49-year-old woman who was brought to the psychiatric ward at Kings County Hospital died after collapsing in the waiting area. She was found unresponsive on the floor 45 minutes later, despite being surrounded by other people who did nothing to help her.

The whole incident was caught on a hospital surveillance camera.

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation reported the incident surrounding the woman's death to a number of health oversight agencies and law enforcement authorities.

While the case is under further review, HHC President Alan Aviles directed the suspension or termination of six hospital employees, including staff involved with the direct care of the patient, as well as managers of security and clinical services.

The woman was brought to the Psychiatric Emergency Department at the hospital by EMS on the morning of June 18 suffering from agitation and psychosis. Officials say she refused medical review and was involuntarily admitted. She was in the Psychiatric ED waiting room, waiting for a bed in the inpatient unit to become available.

Early in the morning on June 19, she was found unresponsive on the floor. The video shows her falling out of the chair and onto the floor, thrashing about and kicking her legs. There were at least three other patients in the waiting area at the time, and several employees of the hospital are seen looking at her on the floor and walking away.

A preliminary review conducted by Kings County Hospital and HHC staff has determined the patient remained on the floor for 45 minutes before she received medical attention.

"We are all shocked and distressed by this situation," Aviles said. "What our investigation so far determined violates the basic principles of the compassionate healthcare practiced every day here at Kings County and across our public hospital system. We express our deep regrets to the patient's family and will ensure a thorough investigation to answer any questions that remain."

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation released the following statement:

"It is clear that some of our employees failed to act based on our compassionate standards of care. Immediately after the incident was discovered on June 20, and following a preliminary investigation by HHC staff, HHC President Alan D. Aviles directed the suspension and termination of those involved. The case and video surveillance tapes were immediately turned over to a number of health oversight agencies, medical misconduct boards and law enforcement.

****please read my comment towards the bottom. The same thing happened in LA last month!*****