Assignment task:
Abigail was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it. "And what is the use of a book," thought Abigail, "without pictures or conversations?" In truth, Abigail had no sister and did not live near any body of water. A few years ago, when Abigail was diagnosed with Stendhal syndrome*, her family moved away from the coastal community of Malibu to a small town that would minimize the impact of Abigail's surroundings as it related to her condition.
On this day, however, Abigail was just bored, and she decided to go for a walk. Determined to get as far away from her imaginary sister and that book, Abigail was not paying attention as she crossed what she thought was the street, and she never saw the car that quickly turned the corner traveling at about 15 mph, crashing right into her. The driver of the car, Dr. Ref Ertome, was just leaving one of the only two hospitals in town.
Due to her condition, Abigail was unaware that she was walking in the parking lot of East Hospital at the time of the accident. Although she was knocked unconscious, Dr. Ref Ertome recognized Abigail and knew her family could barely afford health insurance after Abigail was diagnosed with Stendhal syndrome. Abigail's insurance not only raised her rates exponentially after the diagnosis but there was barely any coverage left over to treat Abigail's Stendhal syndrome. Having an ownership interest in East Hospital, Dr. Ref Ertome thought it would be in the best interests of East Hospital if Abigail was treated at West Hospital instead. Plus, Dr. Ref Ertome's brother (a police officer) had an ownership interest in West Hospital, and he really did not like his brother. So he called 9-1-1. From the parking lot of East Hospital, the ambulance came, and based upon Dr. Ref Ertome's instructions, the ambulance drove Abigail to West Hospital.
By the time the ambulance arrived at West Hospital, Abigail no longer thought her sister, the water, or the book were real, but she had a big bump on her head and she was unable to walk due to the car accident. The emergency department at West Hospital took X-rays of Abigail's leg and a CT scan of her head. The doctor who was treating Abigail had a copy of her medical records, and when Abigail started speaking to her "sister" again, he knew it was her Stendhal syndrome. After bandaging Abigail up, putting her knee in a splint, and ruling out a concussion, the doctor was ready to discharge Abigail. When asked if she had a ride home, Abigail said, "My sister is here and will take me home." Abigail also asked, "Can I get a copy of my medical records here at West Hospital?" The doctor happily complied and provided Abigail with all of her medical records, including notes from the different psychiatrists Abigail saw at West Hospital. The doctor then signed Abigail's discharge papers, and Abigail left West Hospital. Just outside the doors of West Hospital Abigail started to walk across a bridge. But the bridge was not a bridge and was a street instead. Abigail was hit by a bus and died.
A month later the CEO at East Hospital and the CEO at West Hospital met to discuss the case of Abigail. As it turns out, Abigail had Medicaid.
*Stendhal syndrome is a psychosomatic disorder that causes rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, confusion, and even hallucinations when an individual is exposed to an experience of great personal significance, particularly viewing art.
Please identify any and all potential health care issues, including but not limited those relating to for East Hospital, West Hospital, and Dr. Ref Ertome