A woman has been awarded $775,000, the result of a lawsuit that alleged Spectrum Health providers failed to promptly treat flesh-eating bacteria in 2008, according to a Grand Rapid News report.
According to the report, the patient came to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital's emergency room with a sore throat. Clinicians found her vitals were normal, prescribed pain medication and discharged her from the hospital. The patient returned to the hospital the same day with intensified pain only to be sent home again with no antibiotics. Spectrum Health providers allegedly did not discover or treat her bacterial infection until her third visit.
The patient subsequently underwent a string of operations to remove her tonsils, portions of her soft pallet and tissue on her neck. Spectrum Health did not comment on the jury award but confirmed it would appeal the ruling.
According to the report, the patient came to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital's emergency room with a sore throat. Clinicians found her vitals were normal, prescribed pain medication and discharged her from the hospital. The patient returned to the hospital the same day with intensified pain only to be sent home again with no antibiotics. Spectrum Health providers allegedly did not discover or treat her bacterial infection until her third visit.
The patient subsequently underwent a string of operations to remove her tonsils, portions of her soft pallet and tissue on her neck. Spectrum Health did not comment on the jury award but confirmed it would appeal the ruling.
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