Tulane Medical Center sterilization failure yields another case

A New Orleans woman is suing a local hospital after finding out a medical instrument used on her late husband was not properly sterilized.

Diane Stewart filed suit in Orleans Parish Civil District Court against Tulane Medical Center on Dec. 19.

Stewart claims Tulane Medical Center sent her a letter stating a medical instrument that had been used on her husband, Norman Stewart, during a hospital stay may have exposed him to infectious diseases because it was not properly disinfected.

Norman Stewart was admitted to the hospital in early October of 2010 for a possible stroke and other medical conditions and underwent a procedure later in the month that utilized the allegedly faulty equipment, the suit says.

Injuries claimed in the lawsuit include wrongful death, medical bodily harm, reasonable fear and fright associated with contracting infectious diseases, loss of enjoyment of life and emotional distress.

The defendant is accused of negligence the led to the Stewart family injuries.

New Orleans-based attorney Kevin P. Riche is representing Stewart.

The case has been assigned to Division G Judge Robin M. Giarusso.

Case number 2011-13013