Families sue, wrong patient taken off life support

Several families are suing PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, a hospital in Vancouver, Wash., after wrongful patient David Wellslife support was reportedly taken off.

Here's what may have happened to David Wells

According to New York PostWells was rushed to the medical center on August 8, 2021 after choking on a piece of steak. Wells was reportedly unconscious, not breathing and was subsequently put on life support.

“Somewhere along the line, Mr. Wells was misidentified as his roommate, plaintiff Michael Buehler,” the lawsuit states. Miami Herald.

Hospital officials reportedly “believed Wells was Beeler” and called Beeler's sister, Debbie Danielson, to make a “life or death” decision.

“They said, 'He's basically brain dead.' Do you want us to keep him on life support or do you want to pull the plug?” Danielson told reporters.

Ultimately, Danielson made the decision to take her brother off life support. Then about a week later, Debbie Danielson received a phone call from her “dead” brother. New York Post.

“I said, 'You can't be alive.' You're dead!” Danielson reportedly recalled of her reaction to her brother's phone call.

According to Miami HeraldDavid Wells' body was removed from the funeral home and properly identified. At that moment, Danielson and her family realized what they had done wrong.

“We made life-ending decisions for someone we don't even know,” Danielson's husband told reporters.

Details of family suing PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center for wrongly withdrawing life support from patient

According to New York PostThe Clark County Medical Examiner's Office called the Wells family to inform them of the tragic mix-up. However, David Wells' son Shaun reportedly only learned two years later that “strangers had decided his father's fate”.

“I'm at a loss for words how badly they handled it,” Sean Wells told the press. “…It's worrying. I don't know if I'll get over it. They dropped the ball so ruthlessly.”

Sean Wells, Michael Buehler and Debbie Danielson are now reportedly suing PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. Additionally, the lawsuit reportedly accuses the facility of negligence and serious emotional distress.

PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center issues statement in response to lawsuit

According to Miami HeraldPeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center issued a statement on Jan. 10 in response to the lawsuit.

“PeaceHealth has worked diligently to strengthen our patient identification processes, which has included ongoing collaboration with multiple community agencies involved in healthcare, including EMS. Given that PeaceHealth is involved in litigation, we are unfortunately unable to share more facts about this situation . Our unwavering commitment to caring for our community remains stronger than ever,” the statement said.

In addition, according to the outlet, Wells, Beehler and Danielson are seeking an undisclosed amount from the medical center.

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