In a lawsuit filed by HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, the organization claims a Rasmussen University student who moved an 82-year-old patient into a bed did so without assistance and direction, causing the woman to fall and suffer severe head injuries that led to her death.
Marion Community Hospital, Inc. (MCH) filed the lawsuit against Rasmussen College, LLC., which does business as Rasmussen University, in the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Marion County on September 11.
According to the complaint, Steven Knowles, who is now a registered nurse, was a nursing student taking part in the nursing program at HCA Florida West Marion Hospital in 2023.
At the time, MCH, which does business as HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, had a partnership with Rasmussen wherein the hospital made its facilities available for the college to use in various nursing programs.
The lawsuit alleges that on April 22, 2023, at around 1:35 p.m., Knowles allegedly attempted to assist a patient into a bed at the hospital (4600 SW 46th Ct, Ocala).
“Knowles was not assigned to the patient’s floor, nor did he make any attempts to apprise himself of the patient’s weight-bearing status prior to rendering aid,” reads the complaint.
The document further alleges that Knowles did not “notify the patient’s primary nurse” before he attempted to assist the patient.
During his attempt to move the patient into the bed “without a second provider present,” the patient fell to the ground and “screamed in pain.” The patient’s scream alerted hospital staff, who immediately responded to the woman’s room.
Upon arrival, staff found the patient “bleeding on the floor,” while Knowles stood “to the right of the” woman.
“As a result of Knowles improper care, the patient sustained subdural hematoma that caused a midline shift which ultimately resulted in death,” reads the lawsuit. A subdural hematoma is a type of bleeding that occurs in between the brain and the skull after a head injury.
The complaint alleges that Knowles failed to follow hospital policy and procedures and failed to “appreciate that the patient was a high fall-risk.”
“As a result, he failed to use the proper fall precautions prior to moving a high fall risk patient,” reads the lawsuit.
The hospital accuses the school of failing to ensure Knowles conducted himself “in accordance with” the hospital’s policies and procedures. It further accuses the school of failing to ensure that Knowles “adhered to his training and orientation as a program participant.”
Furthermore, the hospital claims its agreement with Rasmussen included an indemnification provision that provided it would not be held liable for “all third-party liabilities, claims, damages, and expenses,” according to the complaint.
MCH claims that after the incident, the organization was sued for medical malpractice. It allegedly settled that lawsuit with an undisclosed amount on March 18.
On May 6, the hospital allegedly sent correspondence to Rasmussen demanding that the school pay the cost of the settlement.
On July 10, the hospital sent additional correspondence once again demanding that the settlement be paid by Rasmussen.
As of the filing of the complaint, the hospital claims it has not yet received any proceeds towards the settlement. It is seeking an undisclosed amount in damages. It is represented by the law firm of Ferrentino & Brotz in Tampa.