Southwest Florida’s Golisano Children’s Hospital has agreed to pay $2.3 million to settle a lawsuit involving newborn child, News Press reports.
The malpractice suit centered on a premature baby who suffered brain damage and amputation after being treated at the hospital in 2013.
Joshua Jackson was born 12 weeks prematurely in his home in Lee County. He was taken to Golisano Children’s Hospital and nurses, according to the lawsuit, improperly inserted a peripherally inserted central catheter, or PICC.
The lawsuit says the line remained improperly placed for a week, and the boy’s arm showed signs of blocked blood flow after six days.
“Baby Jackson’s left hand was already found by nurses to be shriveled and with black fingertips,” said the lawsuit.
The family says Jackson was transferred to Miami Children’s Hospital where his arm was amputated. A CT scan was also performed which showed signs of poor blood flow to the brain, something that had not been present prior to the PICC insertion.
Brain injuries can impact a person’s cognitive abilities and senses. Due to his young age, it is still unclear how the brain damage will impact the child.
Mary Briggs, spokeswoman for Golisano, says the hospital has not fired any of the staff involved in Jackson’s treatment and would not comment on the specifics of the lawsuit. She says the hospital is confident in its staff.
“We support our doctors and nurses for the valuable service they provide daily to our community. We completely believe in our expertise and professionalism,” Briggs said.
Golisano Children’s Hospital is operated by the public system Lee Health, one of the largest employers in Southwest Florida.
Lee Health recently announced that it plans to boost salaries by 3% next year for an increase of $16.8 million in compensation. The increase includes bonuses for top performers and nurses who are seeking additional training.
Employees will see an increase in their premiums and out-of-pocket costs associated with their health insurance plans.
Donna Clarke is the only board member who will vote against the plan and argues that increases to health insurance costs to employees sets a bad example.
“With what’s going on, and the instability out there, I think it makes us look like a better employer and a safer place to be if we don’t raise our health insurance premiums,” said Clarke.
Lee Health last week announced that it may spend up to $1.34 billion over ten years on buildings and equipment.
