Family sues US hospital over man's death while in care of 'teledoctor'

A family sued a hospital in Connecticut over the death of a dental student in a telehealth intensive care unit, where he was monitored and allegedly later declared dead on video.

CNN reported that the family of Conor Hylton, 26, recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Yale New Haven Health-Bridgeport Hospital, arguing that the medical facility was “inattentive” and “provided substandard care” that led to the passing of their loved one.

The University of Connecticut student was brought to the Bridgeport Hospital Milford Campus at 11:08 a.m. on Aug. 14, 2024 due to abdominal pain and vomiting. He was diagnosed with pancreatitis, dehydration, metabolic acidosis, and alcohol withdrawal, and got worse over the evening.

Per the media outlet, citing the lawsuit it obtained, the hospital offered a tele-ICU service, "meaning there was no ICU intensivist—a board-certified physician with specialized training in critical care medicine—on-site, according to an analysis included with the lawsuit from a medical expert who reviewed Hylton’s records."

“You wouldn’t for a minute expect that you would have a telehealth physician in the intensive care unit,” the family's lawyer said. “You can’t provide the care through a video system. You know, it doesn’t have arms that reach out and do things to you. And nobody knew this.”

CNN reported that by 4:30 a.m., "Mr. Hylton slid down in bed, his eyes rolled back, and he became unresponsive and exhibited seizure-like activity." 

He was intubated by an on-site doctor who allegedly didn't know the ICU location, resulting in delays. However, he could no longer be resuscitated, and he died soon after.

The lawsuit also claimed that Hylton's death was pronounced by a "tele-health provider on a video screen." 

His family is now seeking justice “and to dismantle the culture of substandard care and inattention that caused Conor to die so young.”

In a statement sent to CNN via email, a representative of the medical group said, "Yale New Haven Health is aware of this lawsuit and is committed to providing the safest and highest quality of care possible, however, we are unable to comment on pending litigation."