A Wife’s Quest for Answers: How EvaluCare Uncovers the Truth Behind a Preventable Tragedy

Losing a loved one to a poor medical care is devastating. When you need answers, EvaluCare can help.

When my husband, Michael, began clutching his chest our living room, I never imagined this would be the day I’d lose him. He was just 58, still active, still working, still planning our retirement.

The ambulance ride to the Hospital felt surreal; one moment we were laughing about weekend plans, the next he was pale and sweating, pain radiating down his arm.

What happened at the hospital is a blur with snapshots Michael's fear still etched in my mind, and me powerless to do anything about it. In the emergency department, the nurse who checked us in noted his chest pain and told us the CT scanner was “in use” and that they’d get to him as soon as they could.

They ordered an EKG and had us wait in the waiting room for over a half an hour until they freed someone up to do it. My heart raced went back up to check in a couple of times .

When he got the EKG, there was no one to read it so we waited for someone who could. Not sure why the guy doing the EKG couldn't read it. The EKG ended up showing what was likely a total blockage, They said there was an "ST elevations," That meant his heart was dying.

When they got him into the cath lab Michael suffered a massive heart attack. He never came out of the procedure.

In the days and weeks that followed, I was consumed by sorrow. How could so many people in a modern hospital not help my husband help more quickly? No one explained the delays that seemed like an eternity. I came to the crushing realization that those lost minutes might have made the difference between life and death. I felt guilty I didn't do more. I was screaming on the inside but maybe I should have been on the outside.

Discovering EvaluCare: A Beacon in the Darkness

It took me months of grief and confusion to turn to anger. But it did. Every moment lost, our futures together. Each thought increased my determination to do something about it.

Friends suggested I talk to an attorney. The thought of a lawsuit wasn't really on my mind. I didn't know what happened.

Another friend suggested I reach out to EvaluCare to have his care reviewed. I just wanted answers at this point. At first, I wasn’t sure I could relive it again, but I needed answers.

During our first call, the EvaluCare rep listened to me. He promised a transparent, step‑by‑step review of Michael’s entire medical care. He said they can look at notes, orders, and other things to see if the care was acceptable. I knew in my heart it wasn't good care.

They helped me get the records and I dropped them a folder for the review.

What the Medical Care Review Revealed

A little less than a month later, EvaluCare’s provided a detailed report and reviewed it with me to confirm my suspicions. The delays led to his death.

This is some of what they found:

1. Triage Delay– Michael arrived at 2:11 p.m. with classic heart attack symptoms. His triage EKG was ordered immediately, but it was not done until 2:57. The ED physician did not see it until 3:40 p.m., far beyond the 10‑minute standard for chest‑pain evaluation.

2. Imaging Order Error– At 2:15 p.m., an ED nurse entered “CT chest” without specifying “with cardiac protocol.” Radiology staff had to clarify the order, delaying scheduling Michael’s CT angiogram in the queue. He never got it anyway,

3. Cardiology Consultation Gap– Although the EKG showed ST‑segment elevations, the cardiology consult was not requested until 3:42 p.m. EvaluCare's review showed that established protocols require immediate cardiology notification for any STEMI finding and a "door to balloon" of less than 90 minutes There are standards for coming in the door the procedure in less than 90 minutes.

4. Cath Lab Readiness– The team received the activation page at 3:44 p.m. but did not have the interventional cardiologist ready to perform the procedure until 4:21 p.m., when Michael had his heart attack.

   
   

EvaluCare’s report concluded that “each delay, triage, imaging order, consult activation, and cath lab readiness, departed substantially from accepted standards of care. Had timely processes been followed, reperfusion likely would have prevented the fatal myocardial injury and death.”

From Grief to Justice: A Direct Settlement

Armed with EvaluCare’s meticulous report and expert opinions. I met with an attorney whom EvaluCare referred me to. Within a couple of months, the hospital’s legal department offered a settlement, no protracted court battle, no draining legal fees.

Believe me when I say that no amount of money can ever replace Michael. But looking back on it, it is one of the best things I could have done for him in holding the hospital accountable.

They acknowledged the cascading delays and provided a settlement. No amount of money covers my emotional suffering.

EvaluCare gave me some protocols and standards that they should have followed. I asked the hospital to adopt the protocols and standards as part of my settlemetn and they committed to me they would.

Recommendations EvaluCare made were: "Streamlined EKG, administration and review protocols, standardized CT orders for chest‑pain pathways, and on‑call cath lab staffing enhancements."

Knowing that Michael’s death spurred these changes gave me some solace; his legacy would be a safer system for others.

Healing Through Answers

EvaluCare did more than uncover medical missteps, they gave me back my voice. I wasn’t a forgotten widow struggling; I was a partner in ensuring care improvements. Their compassion and clear explanations helped me navigate my grief with purpose.

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Your Next Step: Seek the Truth

Patient stories help illustrate, EvaluCare's services better than a service description. To learn more visit EvaluCare.net

Each year hundreds of thousands of patients in the US are harmed by medical errors. Many never know if the harm was a result of negligence. EvaluCare helps you find answers.

If you or someone you love has experienced an adverse event, delayed diagnosis, surgical complications, medication errors, or any other medical error or injury, in the past two years, contact us to learn how our medical care review services can help find answers. There is no injury too small. We support patients with direct settlements with healthcare providers.

The EvaluCare team is made up of former and current hospital quality and medical leaders with decades of experience implementing clinical best practices to make care safer. We have a shared committment to help patients, families and attorneys find answers.

EvaluCare offers:

• A free discovery call to discuss your experience.

• Hands‑on assistance obtaining your full medical record.

• A thorough, time‑sensitive quality and clinical review by experts.

• A clear, jargon‑free report linking care issues to outcomes.

• Guidance on direct settlement negotiations or referrals to trusted attorneys.

  
  

You shouldn’t navigate this alone. Let EvaluCare help you find answers, hold the healthcare system accountable, and begin the healing process.

Email EvaluCare today at info@EvaluCare.net or visit us at EvaluCare.net For more information about our services evalucare.net/medical-care-review-services or call 1‑872-222-5480.

Your story matters, and your quest for justice starts with understanding what really happened.