Patient alleges heparin caused low platelet count, resulted in bilateral amputations

A patient claims he suffered bilateral amputations after his platelet count was not monitored while on heparin.

Keith Grabowski filed the complaint in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Protestant Memorial Medical Center Inc., doing business as Memorial Hospital – Belleville, BJC Healthcare ACO LLC, Fairview Heights Medical Group, doing business as BJC Medical Group of Illinois, Dr. David Nyquist, Dr. Nishant Poddar, Dr. Dany Saturno, Dr. Rouba Goussoub, Dr. Matthew Bouland, Dr. Altressa Drummond, Dr. Stephanie Gabuthuler, Dr. Jared Winston and Vanessa Pratt, CNP.

According to the complaint, Grabowski saw the defendants on March 19, 2021, for medical care and treatment. He claims that during his care, he was prescribed heparin but was not properly monitored. Grabowski alleges the defendants failed to obtain a daily platelet count, failed to notify a healthcare provider that his platelet count was falling and failed to discontinue heparin administration until approximately 8 a.m. on March 23, 2021. As a result, Grabowski’s heparin induced thrombocytopenia went undiagnosed. He ultimately suffered bilateral amputations all the way to the bottom of his torso, the suit states.

Grabowski claims he suffered permanent pain, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, loss of a normal life and has been permanently prevented from attending to his usual affairs.

He seeks compensation in excess of $75,000, plus court costs.

This article was first published in Madison Record.

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