Ray H. was 67 years old when he presented to the emergency department at a hospital near his home. He had complaints of chest pain and was diagnosed with an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). He was given a powerful drug to dissolve clots in his coronary arteries. Ray's condition deteriorated over the next day or so. By the time his caregivers realized that the clot-busters had failed and Ray needed surgery, it was too late. Had hospital personnel paid appropriate attention to Ray's deteriorating condition, they could have prevented Ray's death. A confidential settlement was reached with a physician and the hospital.











