Wrongful Death Lawsuit Claims Nursing Home Negligence is a Factor in Failure to Motorcyclist’s Sepsis
The family of Steve Russell Cunningham is suing HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center of Beaumont, Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth, and Dr. Stephen B. O'Neil for his wrongful death. Cunningham, 52, died on March 15, 2008 from renal failure and congestive heart failure.
Cunningham was first hospitalized after he was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident on December 8, 2007. At Christus, doctors placed a central intravenous line in his chest. He was then moved to the nursing home for post injury habilitation.
While at the nursing home, Cunningham became septic after developing a staph infection. On January 2, 2008, he was sent back to Christus where he was diagnosed with MRSA sepsis because his central catheter had become infected. Cunningham was then moved to the Dubuis Hospital where he received extended antibiotic therapy for a month before being sent home on February 17.
Yet Cunningham continued to experience recurrent MSRA. He was hospitalized at Christus again from septic shock.
According to the family’s wrongful death lawsuit, medical malpractice and nursing home negligence contributed to Cunningham’s death. Among the negligent acts they cite:
• Failure to properly treat an infectious disease
• Failure to properly document and report medical care
• Failure to prescribe the correct antibiotic treatment
• Failure to prescribe proper therapy
• Failure to control the infection and treat in a timely manner
• Failure to order proper tests
• Failure to remove central line to avoid infection
The family says they suffered loss of companionship, love, advice, society, maintenance, counsel, and support, as well as experienced mental anguish. They also say that they had to pay for medical and burial and funeral expenses.
Sepsis
Involves a serious infection that has entered the bloodstream. A septic patient’s blood pressure likely has become low enough that the person is in shock. Bacteria, fungus, another infecting agent, or the body’s own defense system can cause sepsis. People with weakened immune systems, such as sick persons, young babies, and elderly people, are at higher risk of suffering from sepsis. Nursing homes are places for viruses and bacteria that can cause sepsis to thrive.
Family blames Christus, HealthSouth for man's sepsis, death, Setexasasrcord.com, February 10, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Sepsis (Blood Infection), WebMD
Nursing Home Checklist, Medicare.gov
