In a situation that is distressing by any standard, Franciscan Health Crown Point has dismissed two of its staff members following an incident where a pregnant woman was discharged and subsequently delivered her baby on a highway. President and CEO Raymond Grady stated the healthcare providers, a doctor and a nurse associated with the case, were no longer employed after a "careful review" of the distressing event, as reported by FOX 32 Chicago.
According to the same report, the mother, Mercedes Wells, expressed that she was ignored despite her pain and belief that she was close to giving birth. Moments after being dismissed from the hospital and her water breaking, Wells experienced full labor and had to give birth to her daughter in a pickup truck, just eight minutes after leaving the hospital's premises.
In a statement obtained by ABC 7 Chicago, Grady extended his apologies to the Wells family and admitted that the institution failed to embody its Franciscan values. Further actions to prevent such incidents include mandatory cultural competence training for labor and delivery staff and a policy ensuring a physician examines every pregnant patient before they are discharged.
The situation grew more concerning when, during a news conference, the famil,y alongside their attorney, Cannon Lambert, indicated that racial mistreatment may have played a role in how the Wells were handled, with Ms. Wells stating, "I was stripped of my dignity. As a person, I was treated less than an animal," she told ABC 7 Chicago. Grady has indicated that Franciscan Health Crown Point remains committed to being held accountable and has reached out to meet with the Wells family.
Baby Alena is reported to be doing well following her unexpected delivery location. In light of the distressing events, this case highlights the critical need for healthcare establishments to listen actively to patients and thoroughly assess situations before making critical decisions about patient care.
