A family is suing Louisville, Ky.-based Norton Healthcare after their 8-year-old son was taken off life support measures while he was still conscious, wdrb.com reported July 23.
The boy was born with a congenital heart defect and had already undergone a heart transplant last summer, which was rejected within hours of the procedure. While they waited for another heart, he was kept alive with an artificial heart and other life-sustaining treatment.
In early April, his parents, Chris and Sally McCullum, were told by hospital officials that the child was no longer a candidate for another heart transplant and he would be removed from life support, the lawsuit claims. The McCullums claimed they were not asked for approval or consent in the decision and that their son was still conscious and cognitively aware. The officials said they have never before removed life support from a conscious and cognitively aware child before, according to the report.
No physician was present while the treatment was removed, the lawsuit claims. The boy died April 19 hours after life support was removed.
"He knew what was happening as his life support was shut off, his parents stood bedside and they were helpless to do anything to stop it as he looked at them and said 'help me,'" Ann Oldfather, the lawyer representing the family, told the news outlet.
The family alleges that Norton officials also attempted to pressure and manipulate them during the process.
"Norton Children's Hospital cares for our community's youngest patients, and we serve all families, including those in very difficult situations," Renee Murphy, a spokesperson for Norton Healthcare, told the news outlet. "Our clinical teams meet with families regularly to review care plans and medical options, and we work to maintain an open dialogue. Our priority is to provide quality care to all those we serve. Unfortunately, not every medical intervention is successful."