High-Risk Patient Dies Following Mismanaged Care

Case Overview

This case involves a middle-aged female patient in Rhode Island with a history of coronary artery disease. On the date of the incident in question, the patient presented to the hospital complaining of diarrhea with bright red blood. Upon admission, the patient was noted to have high blood pressure as well as a low pulse rate. An abdominal CT revealed severe diverticulosis and thickening of the colon. The next day, the patient continued to have bloody stools, along with a significant decrease in blood pressure, however care continued to be conservative. Her red blood cell count continued to drop over this period, which indicated continued internal bleeding. Eventually, the patient was prepped and scheduled for a colonoscopy, but was found dead in her room hours before the procedure was due to take place.