Elderly patients should never be stuck in a hot car

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Specializes in retired from healthcare.

Yesterday, I read in the newspaper about a dog that died from being left in a hot car with the windows cranked down to ventilation.

The writer was irritated with the stubbornness of these people who leave them like I am.

Every summer I see more of these letters.

Earlier this year, on a 90 degree day, I parked at the shopping center and saw an old lady sitting in a hot car with the window open. Even with the window wide open, it's still hot.

I made an effort to talk to her. I said, "It's 90 degrees out here," and asked her if everything was alright.

She insisted she was alright.

She said she was only left there for a minute

and added, "It's terrible."

After a minute, her driver came out.

I have seen an elderly patient who had been left in a hot car in a place where they were isolated. She had heat exhaustion when she was finally brought back to me.

I could have slapped this relative who insisted on leaving her in the car on a hot day like a piece of meat. It's arrogant stubborn behavior. It makes me nauseous just thinking about it.

DHS already considered this patient to be a victim of abuse and this seemed to make no difference.

Back in the days when I used to drive a helpless patient around, I always left the door wide open and windows all the way down on both sides of the car if I had to leave him to go in the store. This one was capable of screaming for help if need be.

I just want to repeat what was said in the newspaper about pets.

Don't leave helpless patients in a hot car.

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