Discharged Without Ever Seeing the ER Doctor, South Carolina Grandmother Dies of Septic Shock after Discharge

This case involved a remarkable and very active African American woman, the elderly matriarch of a family of ten children and countless grandchildren. The woman appeared at the emergency room of a local hospital, where she was evaluated by a physician assistant (PA). The PA missed the signs and symptoms of sepsis, and despite never having consulted with the attending ER physician, discharged the woman and sent her home with a misdiagnosis of dehydration.

The woman’s condition worsened overnight, and she returned to the ER the following morning in acute renal failure. It was several hours before an IV was finally started, and her condition quickly deteriorated. Her primary physician was contacted, and he immediately asked that she be transferred to another facility. Sadly, it was too late.

After a grueling deposition of the PA, the hospital settled the case without a trial.