Mather Hospital review: defamation

Although the actions, which initiated this consumer complaint was from 1/30/13 to 2/12/13, fairly recent revelations seem to substantiate my concerns and raise more questions. According to the most recent correspondences to date from Mather Hospital and the New York State Health Department my complaints investigation has been concluded and closed with no citations issued. The majority of documentation I am presenting were provided by Mather Hospital and New York State Health Department in response to my requests for the complete record.

With the reader's analysis of the release of documents I am presenting, I would appreciate any constructive feedback. Should Mather Hospital offer myself and family a formal apology or reparations? In an attempt to find closure and healing, I would like to hear from educators, lawmakers, patients, elder law professionals and medical professionals to determine if I was treated ethically in accordance with accepted Hospital protocol.

This is a transparent chronology of events presented for continual improvement in Health Care.

Chronology.

1/13/13 and 1/14/13 - Mather Hospital's recognition and documentation of me as my mother's Health Care Proxy Agent and their acquisition of the recognized document on 1/13/13. (Mather Hospital Nurses Notes, 1/13/13, print time 1/15/13, 14:18:28, page 1., Patient has a health care proxy., Mather Hospital Nurses Notes, 1/14/13, print time 1/16/13, 01:02:22, page 1.)

1/13/13 - Mather Hospital sought my signature in place of my mother's on discharge instructions. (John T. Mather Memorial Hospital Discharge Instructions, 1/13/13, Page 2 of 2.)

While in my care for the previous 3+ years leading up to 1/14/13- "This is a well developed, well nourished patient who is awake, alert, and in no acute distress", " (John T. Mather Hospital Physician Documentation, Constitution Con't., 1/14/13, page 2, Constitutional:)

Within 2 weeks my mother's behavioral and physical condition had rapidly deteriorated.

1/30/13 15:39 "abnormal EKG, acute myocardial infarction, acute pericarditis, anxiety, atypical chest pain, coronary artery disease chest wall pain. (John T. Mather Hospital Physician Documentation Con't., 1/30/13, page 2, Differential diagnosis:)

Upon the 1/30/13 admission Mather Hospital documented that my mother's cancer pain medication (Opioid / Vicodin) was abruptly discontinued while under the care of the individuals who in coordination with Mather Hospital exhibited the posters.

MEDICATIONS: "At home are vitamin D, Valium, Remeron, vitamin B12, Tylenol, and Keppra. The patient apparently was also on high dose of vicodin, which she has been abruptly discontinued for the last three days." ( John T. Mather Hospital Consultation Report, 1/30/13, MR # 79-41-38)

("The patient apparently was also on 2) high dose of Vicodin, which she has been 1) abruptly discontinued for the last three days." (Hospital, Consultation Report", dated 1/30/13, page 1, heading Medications.) 3) "Vicodin daily for 3 years", (John T. Mather Memorial Hospital Admission Profile, 1/30/13, page 4, Street Drug/Medication/Inhalent Use, Frequency of Street Drug/Medication/Inhalent.)

(Vicodin "Missed Dose: If you are taking this product on a regular schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember". (Mather Hospital Document, page 8.) "This Medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a (3) long time in (2) high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms may occur if you (1) suddenly stop using this medication." (Mather Hospital Discharge Document, page 7.)
" To prevent withdrawal your doctor may reduce your dose gradually." (Hospital Document, page 7.)

(According to A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health "Opiate withdrawal refers to the wide range of symptoms that occur after: 1. Stopping or dramatically reducing opiate drugs after 2. Heavy and 3) Prolonged use (several weeks or more)."

On or about 1/30/13 concerned family members notified me that my mother had been admitted into Mather Hospital. I was also informed that Mather Hospital had posted 3 signs within public view in bold and highlighted print instructing staff to keep my family and me from "contacting my mother" in Mather Hospital, "outside my sisters home." Family, friends, staff and onlookers noticed these limits on our "visits and calls".

A licensed Mather Hospital Health Care Professional came forward with the photos taken of the posters from outside the 3rd floor nursing station. The photos demonstrate exactly what the public had an opportunity to view. The posters were in 3 locations for 3 days ensuring that the public could read them from any vantage point in front of the nurse's station. The photos I have included were taken from public areas and verify this to be true.

The posters presented utilized specific names, room identification and bed designation and contained components necessary to conclude a negative connotation in connection with my family's relationship with my mother. This afforded the public who approached the nurses station the opportunity to scrutinize my family for 3 days.

At the same time on 1/30/13 Mather Hospital Staff asked my mother: "Does anyone try to keep you from having / contacting friends or doing things outside the home? "Yes" (John T. Mather Memorial Hospital Admission Profile, 1/30/13, page 6).

"Are you or have you been threatened or abused? "Yes".
(John T. Mather Hospital Admission Profile, 1/30/13, page 6 under Self-Perception.)

John T. Mather Memorial Hospital Admission Profile, 1/30/13 on page 4, states: Social Department Notified : "No"

On my mothers 2/9/13 admission she was post carbon monoxide exposure presenting as semi comatose and non-verbal.

On the 2/9/13 admission I was informed of the attempted coercion to gain control of my mother's David Lerner "Life" savings account exclusively by the individuals who in collaboration with Mather Hospital exhibited the posters. The savings in line with my mother's wishes were to go to her grandchildren.

On 2/12/13 three days later my mother passed away. The medical records I received from Mather Hospital did not contain evidence that she was provided hydration. Additionally a Mather Hospital Licensed Health Care Professional confirmed that there was concern among the staff that this was in fact the case.

The documented sudden change in residence and a Health Care Proxy with clear irregularities could not enable the transfer of my mother's "Life's" savings to the individuals who were listed on the questionable new Health Care Proxy Document and who with Mather Hospitals collaboration exhibited the posters.

Receiving an apologetic gesture equal to my loss and humiliation, will determine if I will include the hastily manufactured "New" Health Care Proxy Document that was provided to me by Mather Hospital. The reader will have the opportunity to study for themselves the obvious disqualifying elements.

The Health Care Proxy recognized, utilized and documented by Mather Hospital was presented on 1/30/13 and provided on 2/9/13, giving them more than ample time to look at and copy the document.

"Your mother was admitted in the telemetry unit just before midnight on 1/30/13, and the hospital was presented with the HCP form…" (Letter November 28, 2017, NYDOH Regional Program Director Bureau of Hospitals and Diagnostic & Treatment Centers).

The Health Care Proxy Document presented on 1/30/13 is now also stated to have been provided 2/9/13.

"Your sister advised staff upon your mother's final admission (2/9/13-2/12/13) that she was your mother's Health Care Proxy and provided a copy of the proxy document, which revoked and superseded her prior proxy. Further she advised your mother resided with her, which you do not dispute". (Letter, 7/17/13, response to complaint 2, page 1, John T. Mather Memorial Hospital Administrative Director Professional & Regulatory Services.)

Now note below that which was confirmed by a Mather Hospital Social Worker, Mather Hospital admittedly had exclusively "authorized" the new Health Care Proxy Document and Agent while recognizing the documents additional authority to revoke my mother's original notarized Health Care Proxy Document.

"provided a copy of the proxy document, which revoked and superseded her prior proxy. Therefore, we can only conclude that at some point, your mother revoked her prior proxy document and executed a new one, which authorized your sister to act as her proxy agent. This information was confirmed by our social worker". (Letter, 7/17/13, response to complaint 2, page 1, John T. Mather Memorial Hospital Administrative Director Professional & Regulatory Services.)

Additionally the Health Care Proxy Document and Agent, which was Mather Hospital authorized and recognized with the power to revoke, was utilized to "limit visits and calls", deny diagnostics, treatment as well as obtaining a DNR order.

("we were entitled to accept in good faith the request by the Proxy Agent".) (Letter, 7/17/13, response to complaint 2, page 1, John T. Mather Memorial Hospital Administrative Director Professional & Regulatory Services.)

("When your mother's condition deteriorated and warranted a DNR order, consent was properly obtained from the Proxy Agent. A DNR order was than properly issued by a physician and implemented by our staff". Letter, 7/17/13, page 1, John T. Mather Memorial Hospital Administrative Director Professional & Regulatory Services.)

2/9/13 "Pt's Family/ HCPXY- refusing labs", (Medical Decision Making Information: John T. Mather Memorial Hospital ER Enc, 2/9/13, page 3 of 3).

2/9/13 "HCP states she does not want anything one to patient no labs, work up or anything that will "disturb her". (Nurses Notes, 2/9/13, 20:10, page 1 and 2 under Assessment).

2/9/13 "Resistant to obtaining vital signs, I explained need for assessing vital signs and rationale for same", (Nursing Progress Note, 2/10/13, 12:33, page 1.)

2/9/13 "Declined a full body assessment", (Nurses Notes, 2/9/13, page 2).

2/9/13 "She is the Health Care Proxy and wants comfort care. The patient is DNR and DNI." ( John T. Mather Memorial Hospital Discharge Summary, 2/9/13, page 1.)

The exclusive utilization and authorization of the Health Care Proxy Document and the Agent in that capacity would disqualify any suggestion that instead a surrogate was consulted, as defined by the Family Health Care Decisions Act of 2010 (Article 29-C). (Applicability Applies to decisions for incapable patients in general hospitals and residential health care facilities (nursing homes).2 The term "hospital" is used to apply to both those settings.3 • Does not apply to decisions for incapable patients: - who have a health care agent;4, The Family Health Care Decisions Act: A Summary of Key Provisions By Robert N. Swidler, NYSBA Health Law Journal | Spring 2010 | Vol. 15 | No. 1)

Was there a pattern for which a reputable Hospital System should be aware of?

Within a 3 week period as documented by Mather Hospital, my mother's residence and her Health Care Proxy had suddenly changed, she was under medicated, denied cancer pain medication, denied visits or calls of the original HCP Agent within and by Mather Hospital and experienced a rapid decline in physical and behavioral condition. This while concurrently an attempt to control her retirement savings was aggressively being pursued.

I invite any constructive information. Should I release and post a copy of the actual Health Care Proxy Document I obtained from Mather Hospital after 4 years, and 4 attempts? As we discussed the evidence reveal that this was the Health Care Proxy Document which was confirmed by a Mather Hospital social worker that authorized the "limits on visits and calls", revoked my mother's original HCP, initiated a DNR, denied diagnostics, treatments, nutrition and hydration.

A picture is worth a thousand words so let me know what you think.

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