Elmhurst Hospital Nursing Negligence Forces Patient to Have Hand Amputated
In 2016, a 41-year-old man named Jose Polanco was admitted to Elmhurst Hospital after suffering a heart attack. Unexpectedly, he began to develop pneumonia during his recovery and soon suffered from a serious infection that saw him become an inpatient for four months.
As his condition worsened, Joseβs infection began to affect his blood pressure, and doctors ordered that a line be inserted in his arm to provide ongoing monitoring. Unfortunately, Joseβs arm soon turned back after having the line inserted, and he was diagnosed with gangrene shortly after.
Apparently, Jose developed two wounds in the area of his bicep. It is believed that these areas did not receive enough oxygen after the line was inserted by a nurse, which caused a lack of blood flow to the area and the tissues to die. This necrotic tissue then caused gangrene.