How Long Should You Sit In Your Van With A Broken Leg?

Not Really Where
An Elderly Man With A Broken Leg
Should Sit For 45 Minutes

Last Thursday, a veteran with a broken leg drove himself the Seattle VA Hospital. Since he's wheelchair-mobile, driving with a broken leg was not necessarily as difficult as for other people, but still, getting out of your vehicle with a broken leg is not something you want to do on your own.
When he pulled up to the unloading zone of the hospital, most medical facilities would have instructed him to remain where he was, and sent out a some medical professionals to assess his condition before helping him into a wheelchair or onto a gurney, or to have transported him in some other way.
This didn't happen, according to the veteran. The good news is that that valet service was alert and helpful, and promptly sent one of their number to seek help. The bad news is that help was not forthcoming. The veteran waited forty-five minutes until some non-medical personnel decided to assist him into a wheelchair and then into the facility. Presumably the valets were then able to park his vehicle properly.
There are other problems reported with this incident, but let's stop the story right here. The question must be raised: why was no medical personnel sent to assess the patient? If a patient is at the door and unable to enter under this own power, shouldn't this be a sign that a medical professional's attentions are required? What sort of institution leaves an elderly guy with a broken leg at the door?
Is the problem understaffing? If so, what sort of staffing level is required to see that this sort of thing does not happen again.

I have not given the veteran's name because he's still under the VA's care and I have not cleared this story with him. I have spoken with his wife, who confirmed all the facts above and she gave me many more details.

These questions are not directed in hostility against the facility; these are questions that citizens, taxpayers and veterans themselves might ask so that we can figure out what should be done. If the facility cannot advocate for itself for the ways and means to help an elderly man with a broken leg on its doorstep, then it's up to the rest of us to do the advocating - but first, we need answers as to how this happened.