another story from the richest state in the world? LA officials grapple with hospital death May 15, 2007 http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/la-officials-grapple-with-hospital-death/2007-05-16 Tuesday, June 12, 2007 DEATH IN THE E.R. LOBBY Edith Isabel Rodriguez died of a perforated bowel last month in Los Angeles. Tragic, but not news. But her death is a national story for several reasons. Two people separately called 911 as Rodriguez was dying and begged for paramedics to help her. Both callers were spurned by emergency dispatchers -- because Rodriguez was already at a hospital. In the lobby of the emergency room. Bleeding out for 45 minutes as medical staff ignored her and a janitor mopped the blood Rodriguez was vomiting.