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The review of the Unusual Incident Report revealed on 08/13/2024 at approximately 11:00 a.m., R1 was found in bed shaking uncontrollably by staff. Staff called 911 and R1 was transported to Community Memorial Hospital. According to the medical records, R1 was admitted to the hospital for tonic-clonic seizure due to not being given the right dosages of seizure medication. R1 was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure, metabolic encephalopathy, on mechanically assisted ventilation, seizure, shock, and hydrocephalus. The secondary diagnosis included anxiety with depression, hypertension, limited code, physical debility, glioblastoma, and metabolic acidosis. R1 was intubated and sedated. On 08/15/2024, R1 was stable to be transferred to Hoag Hospital for further evaluation and management.
A review of the Hoag Hospital medical records revealed R1 presented to the hospital from Ventura Community Hospital on 08/16/2024, at approximately 2:30 p.m., complicated by respiratory failure with suspicion from aspiration pneumonia. R1 was intubated following a witnessed seizure. The records noted R1 was last hospitalized in July 2024 with sepsis due to cellulitis of the skull with wound dehiscence of surgical site. In addition, R1 had a history of astrocytoma status post multiple surgical resections and now with VP shunt followed by Neurologist Dr. Duma. Due to unlikelihood of R1 making any meaningful progress, R1’s resident representatives opted for comfort focused care. On 08/18/2024, R1 was extubated, and NG tube was removed. R1 remained on IV seizure medications. R1 expired at the hospital on 08/20/2024, at 3:38 p.m. The cause of death was pulmonary arrest within minutes, aspiration pneumonia (no choking) within days, and end stage astrocytoma within months. Multiple surgical tumor resections since 2023 and seizure disorder were noted.
Based on the Department’s investigation, the medical records revealed R1’s medical history included astrocytoma (brain tumor) diagnosed in 2016 with recurrence, history of hydrocephalus (water in the brain) status post VP shunt placement in November 2023, and recent (07/01/2024) VP shunt revision. The interview of R1’s primary Neurosurgeon, Dr. Duma revealed he did not contribute R1’s death to the missed medication and subsequent seizure. Dr. Duma stated R1’s death was inevitable due to R1’s extensive medical history and medical condition (“very bad, large brain tumor”). Therefore, the allegation “Questionable Death – Resident #1 (R1) sustained multiple seizures and subsequently expired due to staff’s neglect” is deemed Unsubstantiated at this time.
(continued on LIC9099C, page 4) |