Carol S. McConnell was admitted to Roane General on Oct. 8, 2014, for altered mental status and a suspected stroke and, five days later, was re-admitted for acute care, according to a complaint filed in Roane Circuit Court.
Charles M. Dills claims on Oct. 18, 2014, his mother’s condition was noted to improve and she was transferred to a swing unit at Roane General for deconditioning and IV antibiotics for seven days to treat a UTI and CAP.
Dills claims from the time his mother was admitted to the swing unit, it was noted she was confused and needed total care, which includes assistance with feeding.
On Oct. 21, 2014, nursing notes reflect that McConnell was confused, repeated works and was unable to make appropriate decisions and, the next day, it was noted that she was becoming fatigued with activities and needed extensive assistance, according to the suit.
Dills claims on Oct. 24, 2014, McConnell aspirated while she was eating her lunch and, at the time she began choking, nursing staff was on their lunch break and not attending her, despite the fact she needed total care and she “was full code for approximately five minutes” and not intubated until 1:13 p.m., despite being notified of her choking at 12:45 p.m.
McConnell was not placed on a ventilator until more than one hour after she first began aspirating and she was transferred to Charleston Area Medical Center, where she died three days later, according to the suit.
Dills claims the defendant was negligent and violated the West Virginia Medical Professional Liability Act.
Roane General’s negligence caused McConnell to aspirate, sustain a significant brain injury due to prolonged oxygen deprivation and, ultimately, died as a result, according to the suit.
Dills is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is being represented by Kathy A. Brown of Kathy Brown Law and Timothy D. Houston of Houston Law.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Thomas C. Evans III.
Roane Circuit Court case number: 16-C-44