Health Care 911
Emergency room patient Mischa Perrin is examined by physicians Mimi Shaffer and James Dunford at UCSD Medical Center-Hillcrest. Perrin suffers from psychological ailments including schizoaffective disorder, and is on Social Security Disability. Perrin called 911 when she experienced intense emotions and heart palpitations and could not reach her primary care physician on the weekend. Her vital signs were within normal range and in the emergency department, there was little that physicians could do but wait several hours in case major symptoms occurred and release her with instructions to follow up with primary care. A review of her records showed at least a dozen visits to the emergency room with non-emergency conditions where no care was administered.
