In article >,
Dave Smith > wrote:
> On 06/11/2011 5:30 PM, Steve Pope wrote:
> >
> > At my local Kaiser hospital, I think there is no possible path for a
> > patient being discharged from the ER or OR to exit other than by going
> > past the discharge pharmacy, and then through a one-way door to the
> > "discharge parking area" which is the only place persons with
> > vehicles are allowed to meet/pick up patients.
> >
> > Some of this is for security reasons, since the discharge pharmacy
> > is by definition open 24 hours and well-stocked with painkillers.
>
> Sorry, but is this a matter of for profit health care? Are they
> directing you past their own pharmacy so that they can sell you drugs on
> the way out? Your system is different from ours.
I posted this cite earlier:
http://xnet.kp.org/newscenter/aboutkp/fastfacts.html
"Fast Facts about Kaiser Permanente
Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente is one of the nationšs largest
not-for-profit health plans, serving more than 8.7 million members, with
headquarters in Oakland, Calif. It comprises:
* Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries
* Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.
* The Permanente Medical Groups."
I suspect the location is for convenience. Kaiser loses money on almost
every prescription drug sale. I pay US$10 for a 90 day supply of most
drugs.
--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA