The family of a Nanakuli man who died at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center will get a multi-million dollar settlement.
According to the family’s attorney, Antonio Marrero went there three years ago due to a sore throat. He was put under sedation and complications from that led to his death.
The federal suit was resolved for $4.2 million.
The center’s chief medical officer Dr. Steven Bradley said the center is making sure nothing like that happens again. “We are still and remain saddened and concerned about what occurred,” he said, “but we have implemented significant changes to our systems to prevent any recurrence of that.”
Those changes include:
- A new, highly-qualified ER director that was brought on to study the systems, make necessary corrections, and oversee operations.
- A Chief Quality Officer that was hired and given full staff and authority.
- A Chief Compliance Officer, who is an attorney, was brought on board full-time.
- Policies and Procedures were reviewed, updated, and staff educated on such revisions.
- From its present temporary location, WCCHC is constructing a new, state-of-the-art ER facility which will be completed within a year.
The settlement is being paid by the federal government because the center is insured through a congressional act. It has certain stipulations for community-owned health centers, with the goal of eliminating barriers to healthcare.
