MIYAZAKI (Kyodo) A 65-year-old man who was found in his car after suffering an apparent heart attack in Hyuga, Miyazaki Prefecture, died after being rejected by seven hospitals, rescuers said Friday.
After finding the man at around 7:40 p.m. on April 4, rescuers asked seven hospitals in Hyuga and neighboring Nobeoka to treat him. All said no as they were either full or their doctors were in surgery. The patient was finally admitted to an eighth hospital shortly before 9 p.m. but he was pronounced dead 15 minutes later.
The rescue authorities said the man had a history of angina and they couldn't judge for sure whether the delay caused his death.
They also said it was their first time seeing a victim of cardiopulmonary arrest being rejected so many times.
"We will talk with the doctors' association about how to deal with the issue," the authorities said in a statement.