Coronavirus Patient Calls Out Treatment, Facilities at Rhode Island Hospital

Coronavirus Patient Calls Out Treatment, Facilities at Rhode Island Hospital

A coronavirus patient at Rhode Island Hospital (RIH) took to Facebook to decry what she said has “unacceptable” treatment. 

Jeannie Bucci, who is 63 and a breast cancer survivor, said after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, she was staying at home in Cranston before her symptoms got worse — and she needed to call a rescue on Friday. 

Bucci said that after spending a day in the emergency room at RIH, she was transferred to a room where she said she was “getting great care” — before abruptly being moved to another floor on Sunday night. 

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

“They shoved me out in literally thirty seconds,” said Bucci in an interview with GoLocal, who said she was in the middle of an IV transmission.

Bucci said that in the process of being moved to the hospital’s 6th floor, her IV got dislodged, causing it to fall out. 

“I felt like I landed in a third-world country,” said Bucci, of then being placed in a large room with windows to a hallway, that were not covered. "I don't know what this room had been used for previously, but it was deplorable."

On Friday, the Rhode Island Department of Health reported 152 hospitalizations in the state. The number of new hospitalizations rose 60% in one week, from 150 to 242. 

 

Questioning Care — and Coverage 

“It felt like it was some old ward the put me in. I had no privacy,” said Bucci, of being placed in the room that she said had a cot to sleep on, after she said she told staff she sunk into the old hospital bed that had been there. “Where I was in before was great, meanwhile this was unacceptable."

“I just want to be in a regular hospital room. I’m a cancer survivor. I’ve spent plenty of time in hospitals,” she said.

“I’ve got great insurance — and these hospitals are getting all this money — what is it for?” questioned Bucci. “Even people without insurance shouldn’t be subjected to this."

“This hospital is getting paid very well by me,” said Bucci. “I’ve been told there’s not a surge right now. So if they’re expecting a surge soon, why was I treated like this?”

Lifepsan received over one hundred million dollars in CARES Act money -- and then provided management with performance bonuses. 

"I tried calling the Governor's office, and I got a staffer who said she couldn't talk with me," said Bucci. "She was too busy. I wanted her to know what I'm going through. I voted for her."

Lifespan did not respond to request for comment.