Lawsuit alleges communication failures at PeaceHealth led to patient’s death

The spouse of a woman who died after being transferred between two PeaceHealth hospitals has filed a federal wrongful-death lawsuit alleging a series of communication breakdowns and treatment failures contributed to her death.

The lawsuit, filed June 19 in U.S. District Court, claims PeaceHealth, its hospitals in Bellingham, Washington, and Ketchikan, Alaska, along with several physicians and affiliated medical groups, were negligent in the care of 62-year-old Kathleen Zamudio.

Zamudio died on June 23, 2024, at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham after suffering cardiac arrest caused by an aortic dissection, a life-threatening tear in the body's main artery.

According to the complaint, she sought emergency medical care in Ketchikan on June 22 after experiencing severe chest pain. The lawsuit alleges that physicians at PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center failed to review EMS records, did not perform certain diagnostic evaluations and failed to adequately consider aortic dissection as a possible diagnosis.

In a report, the Bellingham Herald said that Zamudio was approved for transfer to St. Joseph Medical Center for additional treatment. However, her spouse alleges that no cardiothoracic surgeon had accepted the transfer before she was transported and that the receiving surgeon was never notified.

While waiting, Zamudio developed sudden back pain and imaging reportedly showed findings consistent with an aortic dissection. Her worsening condition was not communicated to providers in Bellingham, the lawsuit alleges

After arriving at St. Joseph Medical Center shortly after midnight on June 23, Zamudio still had not been accepted by a cardiothoracic surgeon and no surgeon was available to perform the procedure she required, according to the complaint.

An emergency physician attempted to locate an available surgeon at another hospital, the lawsuit states, but the patient's condition rapidly deteriorated. Hospital staff initiated CPR after her heart rate dropped. Resuscitation efforts were eventually stopped after physicians determined no additional treatment options were available.

"The cascade of failures, all occurring within a single hospital system, directly and proximately caused Mrs. Zamudio's death," the lawsuit states.

The complaint alleges that PeaceHealth's hospitals in Ketchikan and Bellingham violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act by failing to provide appropriate stabilizing treatment. The defendants are also accused of wrongful death, medical malpractice and negligence.

In addition, Zamudio's spouse is seeking damages for loss of consortium, alleging the loss of companionship, affection and support resulting from her death.

A PeaceHealth spokesperson told local media the health system is "deeply saddened" by Zamudio's death but declined to comment on the pending litigation.

"Out of respect for the family, the legal process and privacy laws we are unable to share details or comment on pending legal matters," the spokesperson said. "What we can say is that we remain committed every day to caring for our communities with compassion, respect and the highest standards of quality."

The lawsuit seeks damages to be determined at trial, including compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and the emotional distress experienced by Zamudio's family.

For more, read the full story from the Bellingham Herald at the link below.