CHICAGO AREA HOSPITAL IN DANGER OF LOSING MEDICARE CERTIFICATION
On February 3, a 78-year old wheelchair-bound man sat for hours within sight of the triage desk at the University of Chicago Medical Center, but no one bothered to log him in or triage him. It wasn't until the man's daughter got the attention of a triage nurse that it was discovered the man was not breathing. Soon thereafter, he was pronounced dead.
The medical center issued a statement after conducting an internal investigation and stated that it had proper polices and procedures in place, but staff members may not have followed the protocol. The statement also mentioned that "appropriate disciplinary actions are being taken." As they should be.
In response to this tragic and despicable episode, Medicare officials are threatening to take away the hospital's certification. University of Chicago Medical Center has publicly acknowledged the warning and has responded that it is already drafting a plan to assure that there will not be another incident like this in the future. The hospital also noted that the threat is "standard procedure" any time an incident like this occurs. It is unfortunate that these incidents happen with such regularity that a "standard procedure" threatening decertification even exists. It is absolutely reprehensible that this man died in the manner in which he did. To be ignored in his moment of need is irresponsible and disgraceful. My heart goes out to this man and his family.
If you have been the victim of medical malpractice, please contact The Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Kroll. Mr. Kroll has taken multiple medical malpractice cases to trial and has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of his clients.
