Baylor hospital hit with lawsuit after Eddie Bernice Johnson's death

The household of former U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson despatched a pre-lawsuit discover Thursday alleging a Baylor hospital’s employees confirmed medical negligence that led to an an infection that they are saying induced Johnson’s demise.

The retired Dallas-area congresswoman died at her dwelling Sunday at 89. In response to a press release Thursday, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Park referred Eddie Bernice Johnson to the Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation after she had again surgical procedure in September.

“The identify Baylor signifies a sure stage of professionalism and the nursing employees and administration fall far beneath a normal of medical care, particularly on this scenario,” Kirk Johnson, the previous congresswoman’s son, mentioned within the assertion. “I requested Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation CEO Mr. Smith ‘Is that this how you prefer to your mom handled? Is that this customary therapy for anybody’s mom?’”

Lawyer Les Weisbrod instructed reporters Thursday afternoon Eddie Bernice Johnson wanted surgical procedure to have {hardware} positioned in her decrease backbone, in any other case she’d be vulnerable to dropping her means to stroll because of degenerative situations.

Kirk Johnson mentioned he had an appointment together with his mom’s caseworker on the hospital on the afternoon of Sept. 21, however he left earlier after his mom referred to as him saying she couldn’t attain nurses for assistance on her hospital mattress.

About 10 minutes later, Kirk Johnson mentioned he arrived on the hospital and located his mom in “deplorable” situation, mendacity in her personal feces and urine, in ache. Eddie Bernice Johnson had been pushing the decision button for some time to get assist, he mentioned, however nobody had responded.

“I believe it’s ironic for a registered nurse who’s a member of the Academy of Nursing to have been handled that method,” he instructed reporters.

After he was unable to seek out different nurses on the ground, Kirk Johnson mentioned he discovered one other Baylor worker who went to seek out the nurses, got here again and instructed him they had been in coaching and can be accessible shortly.

Kirk Johnson mentioned he was directed to the administration workplace on the primary flooring, the place he requested for the individual in cost. Hospital CEO David Smith adopted him again to Eddie Bernice Johnson’s room, the place nurses had been already cleansing her up.

In response to the surgeon’s notes shared within the launch and later in laborious copies given to reporters, the congresswoman began having “copious purulent drainage” from a decrease again incision three days after the incident, which required surgical debridement twice. Weisbrod mentioned this additionally required the surgeon to switch the {hardware} in Eddie Bernice Johnson’s backbone.

She was then transferred to a talented nursing facility in October and later launched to her dwelling Dec. 18, the place she was positioned on antibiotics, Weisbrod mentioned.

Christmas was the final likelihood Kirk Johnson bought to talk together with his mom, he mentioned. She was conscious of her worsening situation.

“She thought that she wouldn’t reside three weeks,” he mentioned.

Weisbrod performed a voicemail he mentioned a Baylor caseworker left Kirk Johnson after the incident, apologizing for what occurred. She mentioned the tech assigned to his mom was attending to a different affected person.

Weisbrod mentioned lab wound tradition outcomes from the rehabilitation hospital and Medical Metropolis Coronary heart and Backbone confirmed organisms associated to feces. He mentioned the experiences “go away little question” the an infection led to her demise.

“Congresswoman and Kirk and the household, they don’t need this to occur to anyone else,” he mentioned. “So, by placing this story out, if this prevents this from occurring to at least one different individual, then that may be what she would have wished. And that’s what the household needs.”

As required by Texas regulation, a pre-suit discover letter offers events 60 days to attempt to resolve a declare earlier than a lawsuit may be filed. Weisbrod referred to as the state’s $250,000 restrict on noneconomic damages for medical negligence lawsuits “a horrible regulation.”

Baylor Scott & White Well being launched an up to date assertion following the press convention.

“Congresswoman Johnson was a longtime good friend and champion within the communities we serve — she is an inspiration to all,” the assertion reads. “We’re dedicated to working straight with the Congresswoman’s relations and their counsel. Out of respect for affected person privateness, we should restrict our feedback.”

Eddie Bernice Johnson’s funeral will happen Tuesday at Harmony Church in Dallas.