The Minnesota man whose wife sued to keep him on a ventilator died on Saturday. Scott Quiner, 55, succumbed to COVID-19 after being transferred to a Houston hospital where his condition was reportedly improving.
The case spurred headlines for two weeks as Quiner’s wife, Anne, grappled with Allina Health, which runs Mercy Hospital in Minnesota. On January 11, Allina Health made the decision to remove Scott’s ventilator, which Anne sued to prevent.
Court Order
Anne sought and received a last minute Minnesota Court order to halt the removal of life-support and she hurried to find him accommodations at a new hospital. According to KSTP News the Quiner family dropped its litigation against Mercy Hospital once Scott was settled in Houston.
On January 20, reports suggested that Scott was making “baby steps” toward recovery, in Houston. Doctors were slowly weaning him off sedation and were able to communicate with Scott through blinking, nodding, and squeezing hands. Over the weekend, however, his condition deteriorated.
In a January 22 interview, Marjorie Holsten, the Quiner family’s attorney told FOX 9:
“On behalf of the family, I would like to extend their thanksgivings for the love and support they have received from the community, and request privacy for Annie and the children as they grieve the loss of Scott — a wonderful husband and father.”
Care question
Last week, Holsten suggested that Mercy Hospital had not provided the necessary care for Scott. Citing malnutrition, she commented:
“Scott has been receiving much-needed nourishment and hydration and medications that were not given by Mercy.”
It is unclear if this lack of nourishment contributed to Scott’s exacerbated illness. The family has made no indication that they will pursue further legal proceedings against Allina Health.
Allina Health
For their part, Allina Health released a statement on Scott’s death. According to ABC news, a representative of Allina Health said:
“We are saddened to hear about the passing of Scott Quiner and our deepest condolences go out to family, friends and loved ones. His passing marks yet another very sad moment as collectively we continue to face the devastating effects of the pandemic.”
And today we celebrate...