26-year Old Man Dies During Sleep Study

[nobody]

I don't think I'm at risk for vomiting in my sleep and asphyxiating in my own vomit. Which is the ridiculous reason given for why we shouldn't do this.

Wouldn't the same thing apply with a full face mask? I know I've sneezed in mine before and that was quite unpleasant. I'm sure vomiting would be far worse. Ew

[Slinky]

Thanks for clarifying a few things I hadn't seen or read, Sleepy77. It is a sad situation all the way around: the young man (he was no kid), the family, the sleep tech and other personnel, Emory ... those who are now worried about ever having an in-lab sleep study ...

Its good that Emory let the uncle view the video and too darn bad the newspaper reporters didn't spend more time interviewing him than the poor distraught mother.

[socknitster]

ozij posts excerpts from a research study where tape was used to prevent mouth air leaks:
viewtopic.php?p=415838#p415838
Direct link to the study she mentions:
http://erj.ersjournals.com/cgi/content/ ... /14/6/1251

I want to reiterate that I don't want to turn this into a mouth taping discussion. But for the experienced polysomnogram technician, here are some links for you to peruse.

Jen

[nobody]

You can't control the direction in which these discussions go

ozij posts excerpts from a research study where tape was used to prevent mouth air leaks:
viewtopic.php?p=415838#p415838
Direct link to the study she mentions:
http://erj.ersjournals.com/cgi/content/ ... /14/6/1251

I want to reiterate that I don't want to turn this into a mouth taping discussion. But for the experienced polysomnogram technician, here are some links for you to peruse.

Jen

[LinkC]

You can't control the direction in which these discussions go

Or the velocity!!

[Sleeprider]

Another follow-up article published Tuesday indicates this is going nowhere. The Medical Examiner has found nothing suspicious. That is pretty much the end-game for any investigation:

February 9, 2010

AJC.com

By Craig Schneider

The DeKalb Medical Examiner’s Office said it will not pursue an investigation into the death of a 25-year-old man who died during a sleep study at EmoryHealthcare.

Family members of 25-year-old Brandon Harris have raised objections to his care during the sleep study, and are calling on the hospital to close the sleep clinic until a full review is performed.

But John Henson, deputy chief investigator at the county medical examiner’s office, said his review of the incident revealed no indication of any wrongdoing on the part of Emory. He said there is no suspicion of foul play or medical wrongdoing in the death of Harris, who was there for sleep apnea.

“In this case we declined jurisdiction,” he said.

Harris, a medical assistant, entered the Emory sleep center on Jan. 22, said his mother, Renee “Sunshine” Lewis. By the next morning he was dead.

Emory said in a statement that he died of sudden cardiac arrest, and that the hospital “appropriately attended to him.”

But family members, some of whom Emory allowed to view video footage from the test, say he was gesturing that he needed help and did not receive the attention he needed.

[kteague]

I'm hope the medical examiner has specifically addressed the family's allegations with facts and data even if the public isn't privy to it.

[roster]

The family of Brandon Harris filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Emory Healthcare on Friday 4/22/2011.
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/lo ... 0110421-tm

[OutaSync]

Thanks for the update.

[chunkyfrog]

During both of my sleep studies, my cell was on the nightstand right next to my glasses and hearing aid.
If I have to have another study, it will be there, too.

[jmcsmomma]

When Mark had his titration, he was having some chest discomfort. His tech checked on him repeatedly, and kept asking did he need to go to the ER. Both times I had studies done, they were excellent, only do 2 people a night, so Gina would tell me she would be busy for about an hour doing the other hookup, after that, she was all mine, lol.

[Breathe Jimbo]

The idea that he should never have been subjected to a sleep study in the first place sounds like malarkey. The real problem is the apparent failure to monitor him competently during the sleep study. Also, it may have been more appropriate to call a code and bring the emergency room to him.

The crucial factor in the lawsuit will be the data collected before the young man collapsed.

A sad case.

[roster]

During both of my sleep studies, my cell was on the nightstand right next to my glasses and hearing aid.
If I have to have another study, it will be there, too.

You didn't take your handgun!?

[chunkyfrog]

Rooster, you slay me!

[Slinky]

The thing that bothers me about this case is that he gestured wildly w/his arms w/no response for .... was it 7 minutes on the video??

One tech, two patients, the tech COULD have been busy w/another patient. How MANY patients per tech at the time of the incident? Some labs want to go to routinely 3 patients per tech.

One of my PSGs, I don't even remember evaluation or titration I had to "go"! and no response from the tech. It wasn't my first study because I knew how to just unplug the box and after waiting a while, seeming longer than it was I'm sure because I HAD to "GO", I just unplugged the box and was standing up when the tech came running into the room. She never offered why she was so slow responding and I didn't ask. I didn't think much of it at the time, just let me get to the bathroom before I leave a puddle on the floor!!!

I do know the techs are not staring at the monitor watching us every second. At least some labs they have to make notes every half hour. Just think how that must be .... most nights are pretty quiet, just you and two patients in other rooms sleeping .... hopefully another one or more techs in the control room w/you to ease the monotony ....