Sent Home After Heart Stress Test, Man Dies, Family Says
4-21-2016 23:14:00


     ROCKVILLE, Md. (CN) – A father of two died from a heart attack because Kaiser doctors did not do enough tests, his family claims in Montgomery County Circuit Court.

       Daughter Maria, wife Martha, and son Juan Urbina sued Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group April 5 on behalf of Manuel Urbina, who was 63 when he died. 
       In late April 2015, Manuel went to the Kaiser facility in Gaithersburg with chest pain, but the staff told him to come back in two days, according to the complaint.
       When he returned, he had left knee pain in addition to his chest pain. His primary care doctor, Mina Son, ordered an electrocardiogram (ECG), but it came back normal and he was sent home with no further instructions, the complaint states.
       Two months later, the family says, Manuel again saw his doctor for chest pain as well as shortness of breath and radiating neck pain. Though these are all classic symptoms of heart attack in men, according to WebMD, Dr. Son again sent him home again when another ECG also came back normal.
       After a nuclear stress test, which evaluates blood flow to the heart, turned out abnormal, Kaiser scheduled an appointment with a cardiologist for six days later, according to the complaint.
       But Manuel died before he could make it, his family says. 
       Hours after his stress test, he was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with sudden reduction or blockage of blood to the heart, a small heart attack, shock, respiratory failure, and unstable heartbeat. Though doctors tried to save him, he died an hour after being admitted, the complaint states. 
       His family claims that the doctors treating his chest pain should have recognized the symptoms, ordered more thorough tests, and treated him immediately.
       Had they not shirked the standards of care, Manuel would still be alive, his family says.
       They seek over $30,000 in damages for wrongful death and medical malpractice.
       They are represented by Christopher Casciano of Baltimore.
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