Cincinnati-based Good Samaritan Hospital must pay $10 million after a jury on May 1 ruled against the hospital in the death of 69-year-old Terri Price. The jury found the hospital liable after Ms. Price was admitted to a psychiatric unit instead of a medical one, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported May 4.
Ms. Price died March 29, 2020, at the TriHealth-operated hospital in Cincinnati. The verdict followed a five-year malpractice court case, according to court records.
She had been transferred March 29, 2020, from University of Cincinnati Medical Center due to limited bed capacity, with records noting an infection and diagnoses of “neurocognitive disorder due to a medical condition,” according to the complaint.
Court records show Ms. Price tested positive for delirium upon arrival. Despite hospital policy barring medically ill patients from psychiatric admission, a physician transferred her without examining her or reviewing prior records, the complaint said.
While in the psychiatric unit, Ms. Price showed signs of worsening sepsis and did not receive IV antibiotics. Her condition deteriorated and she died of bowel impaction, the report said.
TriHealth said it is “deeply disappointed” with the verdict and is considering an appeal, the Enquirer reported.
The health system responded in a statement shared with Becker’s,“We are deeply disappointed with the jury’s verdict in the case and will be considering all options, including appeal, going forward. Good Samaritan Hospital prides itself in the exceptional care that its nurses and physicians provide to its patients. And, sadly, we believe the jury’s verdict is not consistent with the high quality of care provided at Good Samaritan Hospital to the thousands of patients we care for.”
At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4–5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now.
