An Atlanta man who said he came down with a fever complains he never got to see a doctor at Grady Hospital. Kevin Baxter says he waited more than 12 hours before he eventually climbed off of a hospital gurney and walked out the emergency room door.
"I was hot. I was nauseous," said Baxter. "After they did their initial procedure, they told me to have a seat and I would be seen. I sat in the emergency room from approximately 10:30 [a.m.] until 7 that evening and I was getting sicker. At 7 o'clock, I was told, when I went into the back that I would be seen shortly. And it never happened. "
Baxter said his blood pressure and temperature were checked and blood was drawn after he reported flu-like symptoms.
He said that he gave up around midnight, got off the gurney and walked out of the hospital.
"The last train was going to stop shortly after midnight. I didn't want to miss the last train and end up having to be at Grady all night," Baxter said.
A Grady Memorial Hospital spokesperson acknowledged that the emergency room has become increasingly overcrowded with visits in 2012 up over 2011 by 17 percent.
"If this is the norm at Grady, well this is a problem. If it was an abnormality, OK, that happens, but we need to address. And I want to make it clear, it's not that I don't want to pay," Baxter said.
Baxter said he is negotiating with Grady over the $479.50 bill he received.
Grady authorities told FOX 5's Morse Diggs that they believe Baxter waited around 7 or 8 hours. They believe he may have dozed off and missed being called earlier in the evening.
Hospital officials said they are reviewing ways to overhaul the emergency room system due to long wait times.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:48 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:48:59 GMT
The Woodstock Police Department says a police K-9 died after being left in his handler's patrol car.Spartacus, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, was found dead in his handler's patrol car. Authorities later
The Woodstock Police Department says a police K-9 died after being left in his handler's patrol car.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:42 GMT
The City Council of Chamblee has delayed a controversial land rezoning variance. The Council also issued a preliminary resolution saying that they wanted to fire their own manager.
The City Council of Chamblee has delayed a controversial land rezoning variance. The Council also issued a preliminary resolution saying that they wanted to fire their own manager.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:53 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:53:05 GMT
A local couple is happy to hear that members of a morning radio show fired for mocking a former ex-NFL star battling ALS now admit that they went too far.
A local couple is happy to hear that members of a morning radio show fired for mocking a former ex-NFL star battling ALS now admit that they went too far.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:01:57 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush. Crews have bee working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:50:52 GMT
FDNY photo via Twitter
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.