That said, the threat of lawsuit may motivate the hopital.
Have them call a lawyer. If they have a family friend who practices, have them call them. They can sue but not for money, just to change procedures. I wouldn’t buy anyone’s promise at that hospital at this point. This is probably not the first time they have handled this situation like that but should be the last.
I am so sorry for your friends.
This is a horrific event, my deepest sympathies to this family.
I hope that this is publicized because it shows the beast that we are dealing with in this country - A CALLOUSNESS TOWARDS THE GIFT OF LIFE, A GIFT FROM GOD.
Lost a baby at 16 weeks. I finally pushed the baby out (yes, it was like real labor, although obviously not as big-but contractions) and the nurse swept it away and kept calling it “tissue.”
Until the baby is 20 weeks, that’s exactly how miscarried fetuses are treated, as if they were skin or a blood clot. Just “human tissue.”
Unfortunately, when it comes to a hospital's administration staff, a lawsuit is what gets their attention. Tell them to retain a shark attorney and file or forget the whole thing.
It’s a sad catch 22, but the hospital is afraid to speak with them exactly because they fear a lawsuit, but if the family retains a lawyer they will pay attention. However, at that point they will still stomewall teh lawyer because, they will fear a lawsuit.
I think they should speak with their clergy for advice, perhaps also a counselor of some sort to deal with the grief and loss. They should then talk with a lawyer to help them sort out what is possible.
From the description you gave, it did sound like an accident? I’m sure the first nurse wanted to preserve the fetus for medical as well as ethical reasons. It sounded like the second nurse screwed up. They can improve their procedures, seems someone needed to seal off that room until it was dealt with properly.
AFTER speaking with the lawyer, if they don’t want to sue, I’m sure state and local agencies would be interested in investigating. Also, even if the hospital won’t admit it, once they get a detailed letter explaining what happened, they probably will improve their procedures.
I was horrified, as others were, by this. The advice I’d give would be similar to others: legal counsel, and continuing, in writing, to request where the investigation is. Also, consider contacting local or national right to life groups, which may or may not be something to mention in correspondence with the hospital. You and they would know that situation better than I, but keep on them. This is no minor thing; this is how they have treated human life, and as I’m writing this there is surely other vulnerable human life in their care, for whatever that’s worth.
Here’s my advice. Post the name of the hospital and the name of the victim and the date of the incident. That’s about all you can do.
She needs grief counseling first, I’m sure there are internet forums but I think you might also ask your local Pregnancy Care Center as they already do post abortion grief counseling so surely they will have a few names of counselors specializing in that area.
Also another avenue for damages to pursue is whether the woman has also been deprived of medical information by the wanton discarding of the fetus. Did it have genetic anomalies, were toxins present, etc that might have bearing on a future pregnancy.
The hospital staffer should be fired for both stupidity and insensitivity.
I would give the hospital some time, is sounds like it was not done intentionally as they initially offered to help the mother. More then likely it a hard subject for the Hospital staff to have to deal with also. Real hard to offer help as I can't see anything the hospital can do to make up for what happened, other then documented policy that prevents this from happening again. like securing room until the baby is properly secure.
Definitely consult with an attorney.
I’m so sorry for this loss. The loss of a child of any age is terribly painful. Regardless of what they decide to do related to the hospital and staff, please encourage them to make contact with Compassionate Friends http://www.compassionatefriends.org/about_us/our_mission.aspx
These are families who have lost children. People who have lost a child can help in grieving and living with loss. Prayers for all involved.
I have read all of the posts on this thread and can only tell you what I would do.
I would pray for the soul of the little child, forgive the hospital staff, pray for my own healing, praise God, and try to move on.
My brother and his wife had a funeral for a 13 week old miscarried baby. It gave them closure. I hate to recommend this route, but they only seem to pay attention when lawyers are involved.
Call a lawyer then the state hospital licensing board , HHS, and JCAHO also known as Joint Commission and file a formal complaint. the can lose their hospital licensing and JCAHO accreditation
I doubt they would have let her take the baby and bury it. They normally do NOT let you take a miscarried baby out of a hospital. They consider it just as Obama does — hazardous waste.
Prayers up for your friend. Saddest thing I have ever experienced in my life, twice. May she mourn and be comforted.
There is a very valid medical reason why it is so important that the fetus is examined by pathology. I understand your friend’s and her daughters heartache. But to get anywhere with the hospital you have to first approach this as a breach of medical ethics and procedures. Those things can and should be brought to the attention of the authorities regulating the conduct of hospitals and their staff. Trust me this is not a minor concern and your friend should demand that an investigation by an agency other than the hospital be conducted.
As to the very real pain and suffering caused by this action I would tell your friend to speak to her minister about holding a service for the child. The mom may also want to speak to a lawyer about how to make sure the hospital does all it can to remedy and prevent such situations.
OMgosh. How very sad. It is horrible to M/C, but then to have the incident afterwards would make it even more devastating. ITA with posts 10 and l4.. maybe contacting an attorney from RTL or another pro-life group who would work pro-bono.
So sad.
If your friend is up to it, go to the local paper and TV news people. The only thing that will get the admin’s attention is bad press or a law suit.
Prayers for all involved.
I sent your link to La Shawn Labarber and Jill Stanek
Pro Life Crusaders, Maybe they will contact you.