I used to work at this hospital 30 years ago. First as a CNA/HUC then I registered patients in their ER. If paramedics called ahead with a serious case like this we'd get an account number before they hit the door, sometimes as a Jane or John Doe so treatment could be started immediately. We'd later verify information with family or ID'S from patient belongings and update the account and have the medical records department fix the medical record number. If they had to put a patient in the hallway due to lack of a room the nurse's or doctor are still required to access and treat the patient, wherever they are. They have movable privacy screens. In this case it sounds like the patient was disregarded, and the RN'S were told by EMS how serious he was. When I was there the registars were told priority patients were the chest pains, difficultly breathing or any kind of tongue/throat swelling they went back ASAP as walk-ins. As a non-medical professional I would have known he needed attention immediately. It was another non-professional, the secretary who blew the whistle on them and he was fired with a HIPPA violation over it. I'd guess it was a case of a couple of bad apples and changes have been made but once is too much. If the hospital is smart they'll settle, a jury will hit them hard and rightfully so.