Memorial Hermann Baptist Beaumont Hospital
Somehow Charles West managed to swallow a chicken bone without choking on it, but the bone continued through his system until it tore a hole in his bowel. West's family claims negligence on the part of the hospital and doctors following surgery to repair the bowel led to the 74-year-old's death.
Charles' widow Dorothy West and her three children filed suit against Memorial Hermann Baptist Beaumont Hospital and Drs. Bodo Brauer and Jerome Schrapps on Dec. 10 in the Jefferson County District Court.
According to the plaintiffs' petition, on Nov. 7, 2006, Charles West,was admitted to Memorial Hermann under the care of Dr. Brauer with abdominal pain and was found to have a small bowel perforation caused by a chicken bone.
As defined by the Online Medical Dictionary, a bowel perforation is a complete penetration of the intestinal wall resulting in the potential for bacterial contamination of the abdominal cavity.
To correct West's condition, Dr. Schrapps performed a "segmental resection with primary anastomosis," which basically means that segments of the bowel were reconnected. The procedure went well, but two days later West's lab studies revealed a drop in hemoglobin and hematocrit (red blood cells that carry oxygen), the suit said.
"No additional studies were ordered or carried out until Nov. 11, 2006, when Mr. West was found to have suffered severe damage to his kidneys, liver and heart muscle," the suit said.
"Such damage was caused by the severe hypovolemia, anemia, and resultant reduced oxygen-carrying capacity and oxygen deprivation of the organs. The patient continued a downhill course and had a cardiac arrest on Nov. 12, 2006, from which he could not be resuscitated and died."
A medical opinion authored by Dr. Richard Pinon, a New Mexico physician hired by the plaintiffs, was attached to the plaintiffs' original petition to help cement their allegations. Dr. Pinon said West's past medical history consisted of atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, chronic renal insufficiency and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
"In conclusion, it is my opinion based on a reasonable degree of medical probability that violation of the standard of care as outlined above by Dr. Bodo Brauer and Dr. Jerome Schrapps led to Mr. West's demise from apparent blood loss and had appropriate measures been taken, Mr. West's subsequent organ damage would have been avoided," Pinon wrote.
"If the standard of care as outlined above had been followed, Mr. West's myocardial infarction would have been avoided and he would not have suffered his untimely death."
The suit alleges the hospital committed the following acts of negligence:
The suit continued by alleging that Drs. Brauer and Schrapps committed the following acts of negligence:
West's family is suing for his conscious pain, impairment and hospital expenses, plus mental anguish, loss of companionship and inheritance and funeral expenses.
The family is also contended that Memorial Hermann and its physicians acted with malice, which entitles them to recover punitive damages.
They are requesting a trial by jury and are represented by attorney Clay Dugas.
Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th Judicial District, has been assigned to the case.
Case No. D180-874