Daniel E. Holloway
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Pediatric Associates of Savannah complaint alleges respiratory-distress failures before infant death

The complaint alleges that a pediatrician and Pediatric Associates of Savannah failed to adequately assess and treat a premature infant’s persistent respiratory distress despite visible breathing retractions and urgent communications from outside therapists. The office failed to respond to therapist warnings about respiratory and feeding problems, the infant was later rushed to the emergency department in serious condition, and the child died after extensive treatment.

System
Pediatric Associates of Savannah
Facility
Pediatric Associates of Savannah
Providers involved
Pediatric Associates of Savannah, P.C. / Paul L. Nave, M.D. / John Steven Hobby, M.D.
Pattern
Alleged failure to monitor and treat persistent respiratory distress in a premature infant
Harm
Alleged respiratory decline, emergency hospitalization, and infant death

Overview

This page concerns a public complaint alleging that pediatric providers failed to adequately address a premature infant’s persistent respiratory distress before an emergency hospitalization and later death.

Chronology

The complaint alleges as follows:

  1. The infant was born in January 2021 at 37 weeks with respiratory distress syndrome and low birth weight.
  2. The infant was seen by Paul L. Nave, M.D. for multiple pediatric visits between February and October 2021, and the physician reassured the parents despite visible breathing retractions.
  3. A therapist faxed the office on September 27, 2021 to report significant respiratory and feeding issues.
  4. A second urgent fax was sent on October 26, 2021 stating that the infant was not making gains and had labored breathing.
  5. Tachypnea was documented during an October 27, 2021 visit and the infant was rushed to the emergency department in serious condition.
  6. The infant died on February 8, 2022 after extensive treatment.

Alleged failures

The complaint alleges the following failures:

  • Dr. Nave failed to adequately assess the infant’s condition or explore specialist consultations with pulmonology and cardiology.
  • The physician and office staff failed to respond to urgent therapist communications about the infant’s decline.
  • The providers failed to monitor and treat persistent respiratory distress.
  • The complaint alleges that Pediatric Associates of Savannah is vicariously liable for the acts and omissions of its physician and office staff.

Entities and tags

Pediatric Associates of Savannah, P.C.Paul L. Nave, M.D.Respiratory distress syndromeTachypneaPremature infantPulmonologyFeeding difficultyChatham CountySavannah, GeorgiaFailure to monitorDelayed treatmentDelayed or missed diagnosisWrongful deathPediatricsInfant careRespiratory care