The families of two patients who underwent similar routine, minimally invasive surgeries two days apart at Buffalo, N.Y.-based Mercy Hospital in 2016 are suing the hospital after both of them died from sepsis in the days that followed their procedures, according to The Buffalo News.
James Keane and Ellen Feeney were operated on by different surgeons 45 hours apart, but both suffered perforated bowels that led to sepsis and death, which their families argue could have been treated if hospital workers had identified the infection quicker. Both families are represented by Donald Chiari of the Brown Chiari Law Firm, which lists Mercy Hospital and Buffalo, N.Y.-based Catholic Health as defendants.
Mr. Keane underwent surgery for a hernia while Ms. Feeney was being treated for an ovarian cyst. Mr. Chiari alleges the hospital demonstrated gross negligence when it failed to identify and treat the sepsis in the patients.
"According to the medical records in our possession, the hospital on at least five occasions failed to properly assess obvious signs of infection and violated its own sepsis protocols by not notifying a physician," Mr. Chiari said of Mr. Keane's operation, according to The Buffalo News.
More articles on quality:
Health officials confirm hepatitis A outbreak in Kentucky
Top 10 infection control stories, Nov. 20-24
CDC warns residents of 4 states of serious infection risk linked to contaminated milk