A respiratory therapist at Summa Rehab Hospital in Akron, Ohio, almost froze to death on Jan. 24 after collapsing in the hospital's parking lot, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
The therapist, Kimberly Bender, became ill halfway through her shift on Jan. 24. Ms. Bender told her charge nurse she had a fever and was disoriented, and left for the parking lot at 8:30 p.m. to head home.
When Ms. Bender hadn't arrived home by 3 a.m., her husband called the hospital. The hospital, which is part of Summa Health in Akron, said it would send someone to check the parking lot behind the facility. There, they found Ms. Bender lying on the ground.
The low temperature the night of Jan. 24 was 11 degrees. Ms. Bender had severe frostbite, and was first put on life support for three days. She was moved to a ventilator on Jan. 29. Ms. Bender risks losing her fingers due to the frostbite.
In an emailed statement to The Columbus Dispatch, Summa Rehab CEO Michelle Dudek said the hospital is investigating the incident.
"First and foremost, Summa Health and Summa Rehab Hospital are profoundly concerned about the health and well-being of this valued employee," Ms. Dudek said. "At this point, we are still investigating this unfortunate situation and, as such, will not have any additional comments to make."
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