07/13/2010 // West Palm Beach, FL, USA // Sandra Quinlan // Sandra Quinlan
Springfield, OR—PeaceHealth hospital group, along with Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend, were sued for the alleged wrongful death of an Oregon State University (OSU) graduate in 2008. The victim’s parents were named as plaintiffs in the recent lawsuit, according to a Tuesday, June 13, 2010 report by the Democrat Herald.
Martha Barr, 25, reported to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend after 12 p.m. on December 23, 2008. Triage personnel at the hospital apparently evaluated her, subsequently deeming her condition to be a Level 3 on the triage scale of 1 to 5. Her symptoms were reportedly included “shortness of breath, anxiety, fatigue, abnormally fast heart and respiration rates and low oxygen saturation”.
However, Martha was left waiting for imperative emergency room (ER) medical attention for nearly six hours after the initial evaluation. When a doctor evaluated the patient around 6:25 p.m., he deduced Martha seemed to be suffering from pulmonary embolism. The doctor then commanded a CT angiogram be performed to confirm his suspicions.
Unfortunately, the CT scan was never performed given that by 7:15 p.m., Martha went into respiratory and cardiac arrest. CPR and life support were methods used in an attempt to revive the woman, but to no avail. Martha was pronounced dead at the hospital at 9:33 p.m.
Pulmonary embolism, defined as a “blood clot obstructing the pulmonary artery leading to the lungs,” was to blame for the patients symptoms. Thom and Ann Barr, Martha’s parents, claim the lingering ER wait and lack of prompt medical attention caused her daughters condition to deteriorate.
The plaintiffs are reportedly seeking $500,000 in economic damages. The wrongful death lawsuit also seeks $500,000 in noneconomic damages for Martha’s “pain and suffering,” along with $1 million in compensation for the parent’s loss of daughterly love, support and camaraderie.
While the the hospital would not comment on pending litigation, the case continues.
Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for Oregon Wrongful Death Lawyers.
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