Daniel E. Holloway
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NaphCare complaint alleges jail medical staff did not repeat abnormal lab tests before a detainee’s death

The complaint alleges that NaphCare, Inc. medical staff at the Fulton County Jail did not repeat a detainee’s abnormal lab tests. Dr. Pompey was told of the results and diagnosed cellulitis, but the repeat testing he ordered was never done. The patient later developed severe constipation and abdominal distension, and staff did not notify a physician. A nurse gave him Milk of Magnesia despite a NaphCare protocol against it for patients with abdominal distension. He became unconscious, was rushed to a hospital in cardiac arrest, and was pronounced dead.

System
NaphCare, Inc.
Facility
Fulton County Jail medical unit
Providers involved
NaphCare, Inc. / Michael Pompey, M.D. / Michael Agyei, PA-C / Rolinda Jaynes, LPN
Pattern
Alleged failure to repeat abnormal lab results and monitor a declining detainee at a jail medical unit
Harm
Alleged cardiac arrest and death from complications of ischemic bowel disease, sickle cell disease, and leg cellulitis

Overview

This page concerns a public complaint alleging that jail medical staff did not repeat abnormal lab tests before a detainee’s death in custody.

Chronology

The complaint alleges as follows:

  1. The patient, a 29-year-old with an undiagnosed sickle cell trait, was incarcerated at the Fulton County Jail.
  2. He suffered leg abrasions on November 19, 2022 and complained of persistent leg pain to jail medical staff for weeks.
  3. Lab work on December 2, 2022 showed markedly abnormal results. Dr. Pompey diagnosed cellulitis, ordered Augmentin, and ordered a repeat white blood cell count that was never performed.
  4. He was sent to Grady Memorial Hospital on December 5, 2022 for his leg pain and declining condition. No evidence shows NaphCare shared his abnormal lab results with Grady.
  5. On December 10, 2022, Nurse Jaynes assessed him for constipation and noted abdominal distension, but no physician was notified. The next morning, she gave him Milk of Magnesia despite a NaphCare protocol against it.
  6. Later on December 11, 2022, he became unconscious in the jail’s medical unit, and PA Agyei asked that 911 be called.
  7. He was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital in cardiac arrest and was later pronounced dead. Autopsies attributed his death to complications of ischemic bowel disease, sickle cell disease, and leg cellulitis.

Alleged failures

The complaint alleges the following failures:

  • NaphCare’s staff never repeated the white blood cell count Dr. Pompey ordered or the other abnormal labs.
  • No evidence shows NaphCare told Grady Memorial Hospital about the abnormal lab results when the patient was sent there for evaluation.
  • No physician was notified when staff noted the patient’s abdominal distension, and Nurse Jaynes gave him Milk of Magnesia against NaphCare protocol.
  • The complaint alleges that the defendants’ failure to give IV fluids and antibiotics was a proximate cause of the patient’s death.
  • The complaint pleads medical malpractice, wrongful death, and estate claims, and seeks punitive damages. It attaches an expert affidavit under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-9.1.

Entities and tags

NaphCare, Inc.Michael Pompey, M.D.Michael Agyei, PA-CRolinda Jaynes, LPNFulton County JailSickle cell diseaseIschemic bowel diseaseCellulitisFailure to monitorCommunication or follow-up failureCorrectional healthcareWrongful deathCorrectional medicineInternal medicineEmergency medicine