The general manager of an Indiana hospital is facing adverse reactions to a statement regarding the death of black doctor Susan Moore, who died of COVID-19 at the unit after filming a viral video about her treatment, reports ABC News.
Moore shared a video a few weeks before her death, in which she claimed to be treated by hospital staff because of her skin color. She says she was forced to leave the hospital despite the symptoms.
“This is how black people are killed,” Moore said in the video. “When you send them home, they don’t know how to fight for themselves.”
“I proposed and I claim that if I were white, I should not go through this,” she added.
Indiana University Hospital President and CEO Dennis M. Murphy issued a press release on December 24 in response to Moore’s death, writing that he was “deeply saddened” by what had happened and “even more saddened by the experience. which he described in the video. “
Despite sympathies and a request for an external investigation, some activists accuse Murphy of “blaming the victims,” according to ABC News.
In the statement, Murphy wrote that staff are working hard to treat a “complex patient in the midst of a pandemic crisis” and that “they may have been intimidated by a knowledgeable patient who used social media to express their concerns and criticism care delivered “.
Dr. Theresa Chapple, a black doctor and public health advocate, took to Twitter to express her concern about the statement, writing that it left her feeling “weak.”
I didn’t send a tweet about Dr. Moore’s death, honestly, I’m still mourning Dr. Wallace’s death.
But after reading the hospital statement, I feel in a hurry.
Nurses “could have been intimidated by an informed patient who used social media to express their concerns and criticism– Dr. Theresa Chapple (@Theresa_Chapple) December 27, 2020
Christie VanHorne, a New York public health lawyer, echoed Chapple’s feelings.
“Honestly, it’s a shame for the medical profession to blame the victim and the team of nurses,” she told ABC News. “To say that the nurses were intimidated by the patient is absolutely ridiculous when she was just trying to plead for herself.”
Indiana University Hospital CEO Dennis Murphy said in a statement to The Hill that the comments in the press release “were intended to reassure our community of IU Health’s commitment to take their concerns seriously and investigate them.” fairly, consistent with our values of compassion, excellence, and purpose Since then, I have come to recognize that the words I have chosen have not reflected my intention, which is to prevent such a thing from happening again. “
Murphy said that in addition to an internal investigation, the hospital will also conduct a third-party review of its patient care protocols and procedures.
“Whatever the findings, we will have the results and take whatever action is necessary to support our commitment to equity and racial justice for our patients. And we will seriously and humbly seek ongoing feedback from patients, staff, partners and local communities on progress, ”Murphy said.