CROWN POINT, Ind. (WGN) — Just a week after a Chicago mother gave birth along the roadside following a premature discharge from the hospital, the facility where she sought help has fired the medical personnel responsible for the decision.
Mercedes Wells, who was pregnant with her fourth child, says she went into labor around midnight on Saturday as she was traveling home with her husband.
The couple traveled to the nearest hospital, which was Franciscan Health Crown Point, located in Crown Point, Indiana.
According to Wells, at the time she arrived to the hospital, her contractions were 10 minutes apart, and by the time she got a room, they were eight minutes apart.
But six hours after Wells was admitted, she was informed by a nurse that she was being discharged as a result of the doctor’s orders.
Wells said at the time she was discharged, her contractions were one minute apart.
About eight minutes later, as the couple traveled towards another hospital, Mercedes gave birth to baby Alena along the roadway.
On Friday morning, Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO Raymond Grady announced that the physician and the nurse involved with Wells’ care are no longer employed by Franciscan.
Additionally, Grady said the hospital would be changing its policies regarding pregnant patients by mandating cultural competency training for all labor and delivery staff and physician examinations for all pregnant patients leaving the Labor and Delivery unit.
The recent video shared on social media does not reflect the values of Franciscan Health Crown Point, which include respect for life and compassionate concern.
Respect for life can be compromised when a mother and baby are prematurely discharged. Thankfully, both mother and baby are reportedly doing well and everyone should celebrate the new addition to this family.
Compassionate concern is absent when a caregiver fails to listen to a patient who is clearly in pain and vulnerable. The video was difficult to watch.
We failed to listen to Mrs. Wells’ concerns. As an experienced mother who publicly acknowledged having previously given birth at our hospital with a positive experience, she knew something was not right.
We must fix what failed in our hospital so that no one experiences what happened to Mercedes Wells. After careful review of the care provided to Mrs. Wells, I have taken the following actions.
First, the physician and the nurse directly involved with Mrs. Wells’ care are no longer employed by Franciscan. Secondly, I have mandated cultural competency training for all labor and delivery staff. Lastly, all pregnant patients leaving the Labor and Delivery unit will be examined by a physician before they leave the hospital.
On behalf of Franciscan Alliance and Franciscan Health Crown Point, I apologize to Mrs. Wells and her family for failing to live up to our Franciscan values. We are committed to holding ourselves accountable through our actions so that every patient is heard and receives compassionate, equitable care. Any evidence of actions to the contrary will not be tolerated.
We’ve reached out to the family and it is my hope to meet in person with them very soon.
Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO Raymond Grady.
WGN-TV has reached out to the attorneys representing the Wells family, but has yet to hear back.