She was seen, xrayed and labs were being done. Now the one thing I find confusing is according to the report, she was sent back to the lobby.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner report, which can be seen in full here, explains that doctors performed “multiple tests” which included an electrocardiogram and a chest x-ray. The results showed that Ward had an enlarged heart. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that, according to Ward’s family, she was told to go back to the lobby and wait for further treatment. Ward reportedly asked the hospital worker at the front desk multiple times when she would be called back again.
According to the medical examiner
Multiple tests were performed including an EKG (electrocardiogram) which was normal, and a chest x-ray which showed the decedent had cardiomegaly. Lab work was also performed which was all normal besides her bicarbonate level was 21. At 1927 hours, the decedent left the ER as she felt she was waiting too long and decided to go to an Urgent Care. At 2039 hours, Froedtert staff called the decedent's cell phone to check on her and her sister answered.So at least according to the ME, the patient left and the hospital called her an hour after she left Froedtert for an Urgent Care. Since she had not been admitted, and considering it appears that all of her lab work came back normal (and I am going to guess that a troponin test was performed and takes up to an hour to get results), the ED staff was probably keeping her under their eyes while handling other patients.
Two years ago, I was admitted to the ED with possible signs of a heart attack (severe sweating and chest pain). They did an EKG and lab work. They let me know that everything came back normal but they were going to keep me there for a couple hours in case. I think I was in the ED for about 4 hours, even though within an hour of arrival, they had pretty much ruled out a heart attack.
Thanks for the info.
What could Froedtert have done to prevent the end result, if anything?
What would 911 or Urgent Care have done?
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