Vancouver resident Sara Sharp says ‘together, we can rebuild trust in our healthcare system and protect the most vulnerable among us’
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
As a retired U.S. Army combat veteran of 20 years, a retired educator of 30 years, and a grandmother of 11, I have always believed in the importance of trust — trust in our institutions, trust in our caregivers, and trust that when we are at our most vulnerable, we will be treated with dignity and respect. However, my recent experience at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center has shattered that trust and left me questioning how we allow elderly abuse and neglect to persist in our healthcare system.
This year, I visited PeaceHealth’s Emergency Department in severe pain, seeking help for acute diverticulitis. Despite my documented disabilities, including PTSD, CKD, and recent surgery, I was denied basic accommodations, such as a gurney, and was forced to lie on the floor in agony. I was subjected to verbal abuse, neglect, and improper handling, including a non-consensual “frontal bear hug” lift that caused physical injuries and emotional trauma. My medical records were later falsified, omitting critical details and misrepresenting the events. In an effort to hide their malpractice, they tried to turn my excruciating Acute Diverticulitis into the wild complaints of an alcoholic. After taking a blood test for alcohol without my consent (negative) they then pretended that the new injury I had received didn’t exist. They separated me from my full-time caregiver and abandoned me for over 2 1/2 hours. I finally told my caregiver to leave. I took out my own empty IV line that was left in my arms and went home. There is more to this event, but let me stop right here for now. What would you do if it were your elderly loved one? This is not just my story — it is a reflection of a systemic issue. Elder abuse and neglect in healthcare settings are unacceptable, yet they continue to occur. Why should this be okay? Why should anyone, especially veterans and the elderly, be treated as less than human when they need care the most?
It is time for us to speak out and demand change. We must hold healthcare providers accountable, advocate for policy reforms, and ensure that dignity and respect are at the forefront of patient care. Together, we can rebuild trust in our healthcare system and protect the most vulnerable among us.
Dr. Sara Sharp
SFC, Medically Retired U.S. Army Combat Veteran
Grandmother of 11
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