A SLICE OF TEXAS
COFFEE & BULL
GOP FUTURES
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS | PG 9
SENIOR CHOICES | PG 10
POLITICS | PG 24
Bennett’s Bar-B-Que is smokin’
McDonald’s ‘klatch’ McDaily
Republican panel looks to 2018
VOLUME 35 • NUMBER 8 • JANUARY 12, 2017
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WESTERN SPIRIT Media pioneer John Malone is Stock Show’s ‘Citizen of the West’
John Malone, 2017 Citizen of the West, right, is joined by Larry Romrell and Carla Holst, chair of the National Western Stock Show’s arrangements committee. On Jan. 9, the 2017 Stock Show honored Malone, a Colorado media pioneer who was instrumental in laying the foundation for today’s digital age. Each year, a Citizen of the West is selected from among community leaders who exemplify the spirit and determination of a Western pioneer. See more on page 2. Photo by Stefan Krusze
Child’s death spurs lawsuit against Swedish Medical Center Parents allege hospital staff failed to provide proper treatment
The family of a 10-year-old Littleton boy who went into fatal respiratory arrest little more than a half hour after leaving an emergency room at Englewood’s Swedish Medical Center has sued the hospital, a doctor and a nurse. The wrongful-death lawsuit, filed in Arapahoe County District Court two years to the month after the alleged incidents occurred, contends that Isaiah Bird, who collapsed Dec. 23. 2014 at a nearby Walgreens store as his father was getting the boy’s prescription filled, was prematurely discharged from ER and that the doctor and nurse on duty failed to properly evaluate and treat Isaiah,
resulting in his death. “It’s an unspeakable tragedy that never should have happened,” the parents’ attorney David Woodruff said in a statement. “… Isaiah’s respiratory illness was very common in Colorado and was very treatable. Isaiah’s pediatrician sent him to the ER because he could not breathe and needed to be admitted to the hospital. Instead, the ER staff discharged him without any attempt at a proper diagnosis.” In a statement, the hospital expressed sympathy for the family. “Swedish Medical Center is aware of the lawsuit that was filed, though we are surprised by many of the accusations,” the hospital said. “Our hearts go out to the family. It is never easy to lose a loved one, and no doubt this is a particularly difficult time of year.” Earlier on the day of his death,
It’s an unspeakable tragedy that never should have happened. -David Woodruff, plaintiffs’ attorney
Isaiah tested positive for influenza at his pediatrician’s office and failed to respond to breathing treatments. The boy’s father had taken him to the pediatrician due to a breathing problem and a worsening cough. The pediatrician reportedly told the boy’s father to take Isaiah to an emergency room.
Isaiah stopped breathing a short time later at Walgreens, per the suit. He was revived and was returned to Swedish, but by then had suffered catastrophic and irreversible brain damage from a lack of oxygen. He was removed from life support on Christmas Eve, 2014 The lawsuit says a registered nurse at Swedish failed to recognize the seriousness of the boy’s condition and alleges the assigned physician never fully evaluated him and instead simply prescribed flu medication. Per the lawsuit, Isaiah’s autopsy found he suffered from pneumonia, influenza and a severe upper-airway infection. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for loss and suffering, including grief, loss of companionship and impairment of quality of life. The parents have since separated.