University of Chicago Acknowledges Failure to Follow Protocol in Man’s Death
The headline was surprising: “U. Of C.: Staff may have erred in ER death.”
Officials at the University of Chicago Medical Center acknowledged in late March that its staff may not have followed protocol in dealing with a man who died in its emergency room in February.
“Our investigation found that proper policies and procedures were in place, but staff members may not have followed the protocol,” according to a statement released by the medical center. “Appropriate disciplinary actions are being taken.”
The incident involved the Feb. 3 death of a 78-year-old man that prompted an investigation by the Illinois Public Health Department and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMMS).
According to authorities, the elderly man was in the emergency room for “a couple of hours” but “was not originally triaged when he first arrived.” Reportedly, the man’s daughter had to bring it to the attention of a nurse who noticed he was not breathing.
Officials there reportedly intend to submit an improved performance plan in the emergency room to the state Health Department and CMMS so that it would avoid being in danger of having its Medicaid certification revoked.
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