Wyoming hospitals are a critical component of our Wyoming communities, which provide critical care to community members. Unfortunately, at times, a community member believes a Wyoming hospitals has failed to provide him or her adequate care, and the community member files a medical malpractice claim against the hospital. That recently happened to a Wyoming hospital: Sheridan Memorial Hospital.
On July 30, 2015, a patient at Sheridan Memorial Hospital developed a post-operative ileus and was also suffering from opioid-induced constipation. The treating hospital ordered a Fleets Enema in an effort to treat the patient’s ailments. The patient alleged that he was injured during the administration of this enema, which led to a subsequent diagnosis of the patient with a rare, non-mechanical bowel obstruction known as Ogilvie’s Syndrome. The patient was also diagnosed with a rare, necrotizing fasciitis known as Fournier’s Gangrene.
These diagnoses were, according to the patient, due to the improper placement of the enema that was applied at the Wyoming hospital. For this, the patient filed a lawsuit against Sheridan Memorial Hospital seeking $1.5 million in damages.
In response to the patient’s allegations, the hospital provided evidence and expert testimony that denied any wrongdoing, misconduct, negligence or improper treatment of the patient. Throughout trial, WPDN Attorneys Scott Ortiz and Brian Marvel continued to present evidence that provided Sheridan Memorial Hospital had been thorough and safe in their treatment of the patient.
After 2 hours of deliberation, the jury returned with a verdict in favor of Sheridan Memorial Hospital, determining that the Wyoming hospital met the appropriate standard of care and was not negligent in its treatment of the patient.