Massachusetts
Taylor McCormack
Pembroke, MA
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13-month-old Taylor
McCormack's parents brought her to the ER because a device in her brain
that had been implanted at birth was malfunctioning. The device’s
purpose was to drain excess fluid from her brain. They were told that
Taylor required immediate surgery due to the serious possibility of
brain damage from a pressure build-up. Despite this risk, physicians
delayed the surgery until the next day, saying that the operating room
was too busy. While Taylor waited for surgery, fluid built up in her
brain. Taylor was not put in the intensive care unit or properly monitored
while she waited for surgery. |
Taylor’s brain swelled during the night and she died as a result. Three
years later, Taylor's parents learned that the operating room was, in fact,
available that night. It turns out that the attending neurosurgeon failed
to answer any pages because he had muted his pager to go grocery shopping
and sleep. This neurosurgeon did so even though he had been made aware of
Taylor’s delicate condition earlier in the evening. Residents in the
ER did not try to contact an alternative surgeon. They had not even placed
Taylor’s name on the operating room schedule, though they said that they
had.
The operating room nurse
stated in her deposition that she told the resident about the available
operating room. She also stated that if a surgeon had been available, the
operation would have relieved the swelling in Taylor’s brain. The case
is currently pending in Massachusetts.
Watch/listen
to Taylor's father testify before Congress.
Updated March 2005
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