Baby Ryan’s Parents Sue Hospital Lawsuit Claims Sacred Heart Wrong In Stopping Treatment
The parents of 6-month-old Ryan Nguyen filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Sacred Heart Medical Center on Friday afternoon.
The complaint alleges that Ryan, who was born at the South Hill hospital, and his mother suffered serious and lasting injuries, including emotional distress.
The lawsuit contends the hospital was negligent and careless in discontinuing treatment for the premature baby, who was on kidney dialysis.
Keeping him off dialysis against his parents’ wishes also violated a federal law requiring hospitals to provide stabilizing medical treatment to those who request such care of an emergency department, according to the complaint.
“We have a right to live in the United States,” said Ryan’s attorney, Russell Van Camp. “They (hospital officials) are going to have to answer publicly for the things they did.”
Sacred Heart officials weren’t aware the lawsuit was filed and had no comment, hospital spokeswoman Marilyn Thordarson said Friday.
Ryan, whose case drew national attention when a Portland hospital offered to try to save the baby, is now living with his family in Vancouver, Wash. His health has improved dramatically and he has begun eating on his own, Van Camp said.
Nghia and Darla Nguyen, the baby’s parents, have said the hospital wanted to let the baby die to cover a botched delivery.
Darla Nguyen was admitted to Sacred Heart about a week before Ryan was born six weeks premature on Oct. 27. He suffered a myriad of problems, including seizures, low blood volume, and a bowel obstruction.
Doctors placed him on kidney dialysis, but they stopped treatment Nov. 9 when his kidneys didn’t recover.
On. Nov. 22, Ryan’s parents obtained a temporary court order requiring Sacred Heart to resume dialysis until a judge could decide the course of treatment.
Other hospitals were contacted but agreed with Sacred Heart’s prognosis that prolonging Ryan’s life would only cause him pain and suffering.
A pediatric kidney specialist at Legacy Emanuel Children’s Hospital in Portland read about the case in a newspaper and offered to care for Ryan.
There, doctors performed surgery on the bowel obstruction and removed Ryan from dialysis.
Since doctors let him go home Feb. 27, his parents and home care nurses have provided 24-hour medical care.