No More Care in Health Care: A Disturbing Trend in Patient Treatment

In a time when the healthcare system should prioritize compassion and respect, many patients are left wondering if “care” has disappeared from the equation. Reports of overcrowded emergency rooms, breaches of privacy, and inattentive treatment have become increasingly common, leaving vulnerable patients to bear the consequences of systemic failures.

One recent experience highlights this troubling trend. I happen to have a chronic autoimmune condition, I sought emergency care after experiencing symptoms of a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), a potential precursor to a stroke. Despite disclosing my immunocompromised status, I was made to wait in an overcrowded ER lobby alongside flu patients for 13 hours. Now I have the flu, a preventable complication that further endangers my already fragile health.

My case raises an urgent question: where is the care in healthcare?

The Erosion of Patient Privacy

A cornerstone of patient care is the protection of their privacy, enshrined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Yet, in this instance and countless others, patients’ medical and personal details are discussed openly in public spaces. From asking for Social Security numbers in lobbies to discussing diagnoses within earshot of others, healthcare facilities are failing to uphold basic confidentiality.

These breaches don’t just violate laws—they erode the trust between patients and providers. Trust is foundational to healthcare, and its absence leaves patients feeling exposed, disrespected, and powerless.

Neglecting the Vulnerable

Patients with compromised immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or living with autoimmune diseases, face higher risks in shared spaces like emergency rooms. For these individuals, exposure to common viruses like the flu can lead to severe, even life-threatening complications.

The failure to isolate immunocompromised patients demonstrates a lack of forethought and prioritization in triage protocols. Hospitals have a duty to implement infection control measures that safeguard these vulnerable individuals, yet overcrowding and resource shortages often take precedence over patient safety.

Triage: A System Under Pressure

The principles of triage are meant to ensure that patients receive care based on the urgency of their condition. However, in practice, systemic inefficiencies often result in critical patients waiting hours for care.

A patient with TIA symptoms should have been prioritized for immediate evaluation to prevent a potential stroke. Instead, I was left in a waiting room, exposed to infectious illnesses and denied timely treatment . This failure underscores a troubling lack of accountability and preparedness in emergency care systems.

Reclaiming the “Care” in Health Care

• Reprioritize Privacy: Implement stricter protocols to protect patient information, including private intake areas and staff training.
• Enhance Infection Control: Designate separate spaces for high-risk patients and enforce stricter hygiene standards.
• Reevaluate Triage Processes: Ensure critical cases, such as TIA symptoms, are addressed immediately, bypassing the waiting room entirely.
• Focus on Compassion: Train staff to treat patients with respect, empathy, and understanding, particularly in high-stress environments.

The healthcare system is built on a promise to care for those in need, but that promise is increasingly undermined by inefficiency, neglect, and a lack of empathy. Stories like my experience serve as a stark reminder that healthcare is not just about tests, diagnoses, and treatments—it is about the dignity, safety, and well-being of every individual who walks through the door.

Time to put CARE back into Healthcare