Medication Nation

By Ken Paglia | Democrat staff writer
September 14, 2008 14:30

Even though former El Dorado County assistant Agricultural Commissioner Steven Burton died almost a year ago in a Sacramento psychiatric facility, there is still debate over whom to blame. And despite a recent autopsy stating Burton’s death was “natural,” an attorney for the Burton family is preparing a wrongful death suit aimed at the hospital.

Burton, 55, who was being treated at Sierra Vista Hospital in Sacramento for alcoholism, reportedly collapsed in his hospital room on Feb. 16 after asking for a respirator.

Sierra Vista was fined $25,000 by the California Department of Public Health for its role in his death.

Department of Public Health information officer Ralph Montano explained the fine.

“The administrative penalty issued to Sierra Vista Hospital on Feb. 29, 2008, was levied because the hospital failed to ensure the safe delivery of patient care services, and failed to implement policies and procedures to provide for appropriate and prompt interventions and monitoring,” said Montano.

“Note that in this case, as with all cases of administrative penalties, there was an opportunity to appeal. In this particular case, there was not an appeal requested after the penalty was issued. The fine has already been paid,” he said.

The Sacramento County Coroner’s autopsy released last week shows Burton died as a result of liver damage that led to the buildup of medication in his body.

Sierra Vista CEO Nancy Purtell told the Mountain Democrat on Friday that blame for Burton’s death has been wrongly placed on the hospital.

“The autopsy speaks for itself, and it does identify that he died of natural causes. In our care for Mr. Burton we did all we can, and we acted appropriately,” said Purtell.

But attorney Daniel Wilcoxen, who represents Burton’s family, is in the process of filing a wrongful death lawsuit.

“We know that Mr. Burton complained and needed help. The records indicate that the facility was calling their own physician, who was allegedly on call, for four hours before his death, and nobody responded. They finally did take him to Kaiser (hospital), and pronounced him dead when he arrived. He was treated inappropriately. You don’t wait for him to die,” said Wilcoxen.

The Sacramento County coroner familiar with Burton’s case was out of town at press time. The Mountain Democrat will contact him for comment on the autopsy this week.

Ken Paglia can be reached at kpaglia@mtdemocrat.net or at (530) 344-5071. Share your opinion.