5. On 8/5 my mother had another fall. She was sent to St. Agnes. Five hours later a nurse called and said my mother ready to return home. She asked how long I would be. I told her within 15 minutes. She said to meet her at the ER entrance. When I arrived as scheduled, my mother was waiting unaccompanied by anyone. There was neither a doctor,a nurse, or even paperwork with her. She had been given a sling. My mother asked me to remove it, so she could sleep more comfortably. I asked if she had been given directions. She said she was just told to wear it going home. She never again wore this sling. She complained about severe pain. I gave her Advil, since she had not been given any prescription medications. She remained in severe pain.



6. On 8/21 my mother had another fall. However this time she was extremely disoriented. She insisted she call the police. I allowed her to do so. She told the police I had glued her to the bed leading to her fall. She was sent to St. Agnes. Five hours later, a Dr. Sandhu called me and told me to come get my mother. I reminded him that since she was unable to walk, and was delusional, how could I transport her home. I had to demand that she be admitted to St. Agnes. He asked me if we had seen the orthopaedic specialist. I asked him for what. He said, “you know, her broken shoulder.” I was livid. I told him we had no knowledge of a broken shoulder. Sandhu said “oh, I guess we will do more tests.”



7. A few hours later a nurse called me, and said my mother also had a urine tract infection, and it would be necessary to keep my mother as a patient, especially because of her age. The nurse said all I would have to do at present was to talk to her primary care doctor, and the St. Agnes social worker. I said I would call the doctor, and asked if I was to call the social worker. She said it was not necessary as she would call me.



8. On 8/23 I gave up waiting for the social worker. I called that department and was refused an appointment, or even a call to that person.



She said that was how her doctor at St. Agnes admitted her. At no time was I ever informed by anyone at St. Agnes that she was put in observation status, and apparently not admitted.



10. On 8/27 I drove to Summit Park and paid $2500. Thereafter, I called Josh Alperstein, their so-called patient advocate to make a complaint and grievance. He finally returned my call on 9/2, six days later. I complained about her billing and status. He informed me that he would talk to a doctor. I told him that I wanted to make a formal grievance. Four weeks later he finally got back to me only because Richard Pomerantz told him to call me. I finally received a written confirmation of my complaint on November 11. This complaint was conveniently dated October 28, some three weeks earlier.







12. In September, I again called Medicare. Now I am told they are obliged by the hospitals records how my mother was classified. They said if she was placed as admitted, all bills would have been covered.


13. St. Agnes is clearly guilty of malpractice and neglect. Their negligence in January has resulted in permanent disability to my mother. On August 5, we were never informed about her broken shoulder. They didn’t even give her pain pills. Only 16 days later did we learn of her condition.

This would be considered awful treatment even in a third world country. We were never informed at any time she was under “observation” by Rupinder Sandhu. I only learned this after she was sent to Summit Park. We were never informed until after my mother was sent to Summit Park, that we would be responsible for bills.



14. How could a 96 year old patient with an unreported broken shoulder, and a urine track infection be considered under observation? Most doctors would know that a UTI at that age is particularly dangerous, and can easily be considered life threatening. My mother had to endure at least 16 days of pain, without being prescribed any sort of medication.





16. Section 2 of the Medicare & You , page 28 states”A Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice…You must receive this notice if you”re getting observation services for more than 24 hours.” I received no such notice from Medicare or St. Agnes. As I mentioned I was only informed that my mother was under “observation” until after she was discharged from St. Agnes. Medicare tells me to complain to CareFirst. CareFirst tells me to complain to Medicare and St. Agnes. Medicare then tells me to complain to St. Agnes. I request that her status be reclassified, and that we be reimbursed for the $2500 we had to pay Summit Park, due to the outrageous treatment by St. Agnes.

Submitted Jan. 12, 2020