Emergency Medicine Doctors - Puyallup, WA

"My daughter Jesseca was 21 years old. On Nov 17 2006 she was taken by ambulance to Good Sams Hospital Er. She was seen by Dr. Larry Woodard. Her symptoms included a first time seizure, numbness in arms and legs, fever, headache, vomiting, confusion, and lower level of couisness. DR . Woodard did blood work, a ct-scan and a x-ray. He diagnosed her with seizure disorder. He told us he was sure it was not meningitis because he had been doing this for 25 years. He told us there was no reason to keep her for further observation or do a lumbar puncture or to call in a specialist. Just to follow up with a neurologist within a few months for a eeg and released her. The next day she was still very ill. Since it was the weekend I took her to Spanaway General Medical Clinic. She was seen by DR. Laszlo Stone. Dr. Laszlo did some blood work said her white count was still high. He reviewed her hospital record that was faxed from Good Sam Hospital. He told us he was sure it was not meningitis but just flu and nothing to worry about. He gave her a shot for her headache and vomiting and released her. That night she was taken by ambulance to another Er. They did a lumbar puncture right away and it was positive foe viral meningitis as well as herpes simplex encephalitis. My daughter responded well at first and the doctors were hopeful, as this disease requires prompt diagnosis and treatment for recovery. My daughter went into cardiac arrest on the 22 and life support was withdrawn the next day it was Thanksgiving After educating myself on this disease and talking to other Doctors I found that a patient that presents to a Er with unexplained neurological symptoms as my daughter had should of had a lumbar puncture right away. To rule out the possibility of this disease especially in a patient of her age as they are vulnerable for contacting it. This case was reviewed by The Dept. Of Health. They concluded that no actions would be taken against the Er doctor Larry Woodard I appealed but was denied. They concluded that the clinic Dr.Laszlo Stone Did Not provide my daughter proper health care. Because he agreed to the stipulations he only had to pay a 1000 fine, take a class on the symptoms of this disease and write a assay on what he learned. Good Sam Hospital concluded that this Dr. was a independent employee and would not take action but they would heighten their awareness on this disease to the Er doctors. When I told them that this Dr. was a licensee and they gave them privilege to practice at their hospital that they should do something to insure patient safety And as far as heightening the awareness of this disease I applaud their efforts but this doctor should of already been educated in this before being able to practice at a ER with patients. There web site clearly indicates that they are equipped with Doctors that can diagnose meningitis. I was told that they would no longer have contact with me in resolving this matter. That Doctors are human and make mistakes and until Dr. Woodard is negligent in the death of another patient they would take no action towards him. Spanaway General told be if Dr. Laszlo was found to be at fault they would pay for my daughters funeral expense. However they have failed to do this or contact me. Dr. Laszlo has moved to Florida so his patients there will have no way of knowing about his practice here unless they check Wash. State Dept. Of Health. How sad that my daughter died due to their negligence and they are still able to practice without proper punishment. Until we change the way these Doctors are reviewed and hold them more accountable for their actions we are all at risk and will continue to suffer devastating results. I will never be able to hold or kiss her again, There will be no more birthdays or holidays, no wedding or babies.... I have never had to be separated from her, I never thought the first time she would be leaving me she would be moving to HEAVEN..... MISSING MY DAUGHTER cherimorey Tacoma Washington"