The family of Conor Hylton, a 26-year-old student, filed a wrongful death lawsuit last month against Bridgeport Hospital Milford Campus. The lawsuit claims the hospital lacked an on-site physician when Conor was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) on 14/8/2024.
Conor, a student at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, was admitted at 11:00 on 14/8 for pancreatitis and other symptoms. His condition worsened after admission. However, upon transfer to the ICU, Conor was never directly examined by a physician for 4 hours, despite his deteriorating health. Instead, he was "infrequently monitored remotely via video screen".
"They violated hospital policy by not having any physician directly examine Conor from the time he was admitted to the ICU until he exhibited seizure-like symptoms at 4:30 on 15/8", the lawsuit states. The hospital allegedly relied on remote intensive care providers for patient care.
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26-year-old dental student Conor Hylton. Photo: Faxon Law Group |
In the early morning of 15/8/2024, Conor "slid off the bed, his eyes rolled back, he convulsed, vomited, his heart rate slowed, and a hospital emergency alert was activated". Medical staff intubated him, but he was pronounced dead less than two hours later. The lawsuit notes that "the death notification was made by a 'remote examination' provider via video screen".
Conor's family asserts the hospital failed to inform them that Conor had been transferred to the ICU. The lawsuit alleges that Conor's death was "the most direct consequence of negligence" by the hospital and its staff.
According to the family's lawyer, an investigation by the state Department of Public Health "found an inexplicable level of incompetence" within Bridgeport Hospital's intensive care unit.
The hospital has acknowledged the lawsuit, stating its commitment to providing the safest and highest quality care. The hospital confirmed its use of remote examination specialists, explaining that this approach enhances treatment for critically ill patients through a dedicated virtual team that collaborates with bedside specialists to ensure continuous monitoring and timely decision-making throughout the ICU stay.
