A failing health care system caused my husband’s death (19 September 2024)

Summary

In 2012, I could not have imagined that the greatest threat my husband faced in the hospital was not the brain bleed we came in to treat — but one of the most common post-surgical complications, venous thromboembolism (VTE). This deadly blood clot was growing in my husband, and no one on his care team knew it. In a few days, it would travel to his lungs and kill him. Simple steps, like a risk assessment and monitoring, could have been taken. However, these proven preventative measures were not taken.  Vonda Vaden Bates, a patient safety advocate, shares her story.