The Problem: The British government set a target of having patients be seen by doctors within 4 hours of arriving at the ER.
The Good but Hard-to-do Solution: Increase ER efficiency by hiring more doctors, nurses and equipments.
The Brilliantly Easy but Bad Solution: Well, make 'em wait outside. Technically, patients are still seen within the targeted 4 hours once they're in the ER ...
Guess which one the hospitals chose:
Hospitals were last night accused of keeping thousands of seriously ill patients in ambulance 'holding patterns' outside accident and emergency units to meet a government pledge that all patients are treated within four hours of admission.
Those affected by 'patient stacking' include people with broken limbs or those suffering fits or breathing problems. An Observer investigation has also found that some wait for up to five hours in ambulances because A&E units have refused to admit them until they can guarantee to treat them within the time limit.
Link (Photo: Rui Vieira/PA) - via Super Punch
AND my dad and aunt were both put ON HOLD by 911 when my mother fell ill from meningitis.