May 16: The fast track, Danville Can and needed rules

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: May 16, 2008

Life off ‘the fast track’

To the editor:
This is not a complaint against Danville Regional Medical Center. The doctors and nurses, as a rule, are very nice, caring and try to help you in every way possible — if you get in to see them.
On May 4, my wife decided the pain in her hip — which she had for a couple days — was too much to handle, especially since we were supposed to leave May 5 for a week’s vacation at Myrtle Beach.
We then made one of the biggest mistakes we have ever made. We elected to drive to the Emergency Department at Danville Regional Medical Center. I must emphasize that by “Emergency Department,” I mean the waiting room to get into the Emergency Department for treatment.
After about three hours of waiting, I said to an individual sitting close to me, “Isn’t this awful?” His response was, “I haven’t been here very long and I’m on the fast track.”
I was fairly sure I had not heard him correctly. I had never heard of fast track at a hospital, so nothing else was said. Shortly after this, he was called to go to the Emergency Department. I then went to the main desk and asked why so many who were called had arrived one to two hours after we did. The answer was, “They are on the fast track.”
Now, I must add that while we were waiting, a little girl was carried in by her mother and her head had been bleeding badly. She had fallen off her tricycle. I strongly agree she should be seen ASAP. No argument there. However, how about all the people called ahead of us, who arrived after we did but were younger than my wife? Their response was they were all on the fast track.
After about 3 1/2 hours, I told the nurse at the desk we were leaving to find help some place else. She said we couldn’t leave. I told her to watch the door and I would wave as we departed. She then handed me a paper and said, “Sign this.” I asked her what it was. I was so angry at this time I’m not sure exactly what she said, but I think it was something that released the hospital of all responsibilities. I told her I was not signing and started to leave. She then said, “Wait a minute and I’ll try to get your wife on the fast track.”
She was successful. My wife was seen by a nurse and doctor who were very pleasant and understanding. She was given a prescription for pain and told to see an orthopedic doctor in the next few days. We saw the doctor, had the prescription filled across the street and were on our way in less than 45 minutes. Our proposed trip to the beach was cancelled by me.
Why doesn’t Danville Regional advertise their fast track procedure?

WADE D. BRALLEY
Danville

To the editor:
Harry Ward is a valued contributor to the Opinion page. His thoughts are always intelligently based and well expressed. I look forward to reading his letters both in print and online.
His most-recent letter, “Fight for ‘buttered crust’” (May 14, page A6), which has political undertones, made me wonder what Harry’s thinking might really be toward changing job markets. For example and historically speaking, the industrial revolution began in England and in a sense marked the beginning of an important industry, textiles. As cheap labor and water power became available in the colonies, the textile industry moved to New England.
Still later, the textile industry moved again, this time to the South to take advantage of cheap labor and water power. The migration of the textile industry from New England produced economic hardship in that region, just as it has today in Danville.
In the last few years, we have seen the textile industry move yet again, this time to the Pacific Rim and India. In a growing global economy does such job movement spell disaster. Does the slogan, “Danville Can” mean anything?

BOB JIRANEK
Danville

To the editor:
In response to, “Limits placed on speech and friends,” (May 15, page A4), concerning county graduation restrictions, I understand the author’s reasoning. But apparently he has not attended a county high school graduation in a long time.
Let me assure you that, without these restrictions, the only result of attending would be disgust at the level of disrespect and the lack of decorum at the “ceremony.”
People all around you will be laughing, talking, yelling and jumping up and down. They will prevent your hearing — and possibly your seeing — your loved one walk across the stage. Someone in your seating area may be enjoying a KFC box. Any request that you make for a little quietness will be met with sarcasm (mild term).
The above description is what I encountered at the last two graduations which I attended. I vowed to never go to one again. Nevertheless, I want to see my granddaughter walk this year. I hope that the restrictions will make it possible for me to see her and hear them call her name.

JANET W. ADKINS
Ringgold