The man, 38, who lived in another state, was rushed by ambulance to the ER with chest pains after he called 911 June 26. The man had a history of heart problems, which probably explains his understandable concern about his symptoms. The EMTs who took him to the hospital also believed the situation was serious; they indicated that the man’s symptoms were “consistent with an impending cardiac event.”
But after being examined by an ER doctor, the patient was simply told to see his cardiologist and was discharged. He went to the lobby, perhaps to wait for a ride home.
Several hours later, staff discovered his lifeless body. He had suffered a fatal heart attack and rigor mortis had set in.
A hospital spokeswoman said the incident had been investigated internally. But the patient’s family says the hospital is negligently responsible for his death by not admitting him for observation instead of sending him away. They have filed a wrongful death and emergency room malpractice suit against the hospital.
Source: The News Journal, “Family blames Beebe in death,” Sean O’Sullivan, Sep. 21, 2012
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