Overview

This page concerns a pediatric emergency case at CHOA in which a physician recognized a substantial stool obstruction, unsuccessful bedside treatment did not relieve it, the child nevertheless was discharged despite worsening signs, and she returned in critical condition before dying after emergency surgery.

System Children’s Hospital of Atlanta
Fact pattern Substantial bowel obstruction followed by discharge home despite worsening symptoms and failed bedside treatment
Alleged harm Wrongful death

Chronology

  1. Fifteen-year-old Maya Collins went to the ER with severe constipation and a three-week history of no bowel movements.
  2. Dr. Michael Greenwald recognized a "substantial obstruction from stool" and attempted an enema and digital disimpaction, but both efforts were unsuccessful.
  3. Despite increasing pain, tachycardia, and inability to walk, Maya was discharged home with a high-dose laxative regimen and a recommendation to follow up with a gastroenterologist within two weeks; the nurses, including Nurse Gabriel Ribeiro, allegedly failed to advocate for her to remain in the hospital.
  4. Over the next 46 hours Maya worsened at home, returned to the CHOA emergency department vomiting blood and in critical condition, underwent emergency surgery, suffered cardiac arrest and multiple organ failure, and was declared dead on June 23.

Alleged failures

Dr. Michael Greenwald allegedly discharged Maya Collins despite recognizing a substantial obstruction and despite failed efforts to clear it.

The discharge allegedly ignored worsening signs including increasing pain, tachycardia, and inability to walk.

Nurse Gabriel Ribeiro and other nurses allegedly failed to advocate for Maya to remain in the hospital for further treatment.

Entities

Children’s Hospital of AtlantaCHOA emergency departmentDr. Michael GreenwaldNurse Gabriel RibeiroGastroenterologistEmergency surgery
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