Death after two-hour ER wait ruled homicide

That would be against the law. A person presenting to an ER must be evaluated by a physician or mid-level practicioner before determining whether the patient is in a life-threatening situation. Triage doesn't count for that.

Nobody is going to have a doc sit at the triage desk and do an eval on everyone who comes in.

The jury’ findings:
http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/neg...ryinquest.html

I found it interesting that on the preprinted juror's verdict worksheet the manner of death choices (with one circled) are "homicide", "suicide", "accident" and "undetermined". No "natural causes" or some other similar term is available as a choice..

I am shocked at this. Homicide to me is an intentional act.
On a clinical rotation I saw a pt come in dripping blood from a lac. Wouldn't have taken long to suture and the ER wasn't busy at that point. She was back in a bed for about 3 hours before anyone ever started sewing her up. I have worked in an office where things like that were treated promptly. Chest pain was always treated promptly. Another ER clinical day I saw a pt come in with CP, had an order to be admitted, had a bed, but had to wait in the ER for 4 more hours waiting on the doc to call with orders. I think that an MD's office that collaborates with the ER to see their nonemergent cases might help. The ER at the hospital I work at has the hospital owned md office directly across a small side street. They could very easily triage and refer instead of having to treat the runny noses and yeast infections.