Sunday, March 20, 2005

National Health Care Computerized Apologies

From an AP report:
A letter from the Moncton Hospital to a New Brunswick heart patient in need of an electrocardiogram said the appointment would be in three months. It added: "If the person named on this computer- generated letter is deceased, please accept our sincere apologies."

The patient wasn't dead, according to the doctor who showed the letter to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
While telling the patients to wait, the system also apologizes for their deaths - in the same computer-generated letter. At least the health care bureaucracy is efficient - covering two equally-likely sets of circumstances with one piece of paper.

Probably next to be included in the letter will be congratulations on a person's birth.

Welcome to the world, please wait for medical treatment, we're sorry you're dead. (signed) Canada Health Care System

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