CA State guidelines lay framework for deliberately letting some people die.

[kpete]

In a massive disaster, care will be scarce
State guidelines lay framework for deliberately letting some people die.
By Dorsey Griffith - [e-mail]
Published 12:00 am PST Sunday, March 2, 2008

When and if a global pandemic or major disaster strikes, no amount of extra drugs or supplies will be sufficient to manage the impact on an already strained health care system.

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The plan lists, for example, which responsibilities and patient protections can be waived if the governor declares a state of emergency.

Hospitals will not have to report births, deaths, infectious disease outbreaks, medication errors, and suspected child or elder abuse. Existing rules that protect patients' privacy also can be tossed out.

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The plan will allow hospitals to empty beds for higher priority patients, sending ill patients into hallways, make-shift hospitals in tents, nursing homes or even back home.

much more at:
http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/753359.html

[pitohui]

1. well that's what a disaster is, triage

it's a reality of war or large scale disasters like katrina that there are not enough resources for everyone

i suppose the state could just close its eyes and pretend that nothing bad ever happens because it's filthy rich california and bad things only happen in those poor southern states?

[EFerrari]

2. They're already doing most of those things now. n/t

[kestrel91316]

3. Triage is SOP in wartime and during catastrophes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triage

[Mojorabbit]

4. I am fine with most of it

but I think deaths and births should be recorded. Those are stats that could be important in a review after a disaster esp if family members are trying to find out later what happened to loved ones. It shouldn't be hard to enter the names into a database.