The man was originally treated for anemia at the Hope Center for Cancer Care in Youngstown, Ohio, in June 2021. According to the Ohio medical malpractice wrongful death lawsuit, certified nurse practitioner Kimberly Hildebrand and/or physician Amy Awaida administered an intravenous infusion of iron to the man in October 2021, despite the man having signs and symptoms of an infection (intravenous iron is linked to an increased risk of infection)…medicalmalpracticelawyers, $25M Ohio Medical Malpractice Verdict For Death Due To Sepsis
After the infusion was completed, the man had an elevated heart rate and a 103-degree temperature. Blood and urine samples were taken for testing but he was nonetheless sent home without a prescription for antibiotics or a referral to an emergency department for further evaluation.
According to the lawsuit, the man was found confused and incoherent on his front porch the following day and was taken to the emergency room at Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. During this time, the Hope Center received the results of the blood and urine testing that showed bacteria in the man’s blood and that he had kidney dysfunction.
The lawsuit alleged that the man’s sepsis was not timely diagnosed or treated until days later when it was suspected that he may have bacterial endocarditis. Unfortunately, the man died on October 11, 2021, five days after being admitted to the hospital.