LIFE MATTERS!!! DID YOU HAVE A LOVED ONE DIE AT LBJ IN 2022?  – BRING JUSTICE FOR THE COVER-UP OF 5 PREVENTABLE DEATHS at LBJ AMERICAN SAMOA.

LIFE MATTERS!  You cannot put a price tag on a life, but some of the Board members were more interested in the lost revenue for the hospital from not reading CT images.  The hospital has an obligation to those that died, and their family members so this will never happen again.     

In a January 2023 meeting at LBJ Tropical Medical Center in American Samoa, an Interventional Radiologist reported there were 5-preventable deaths due to unread CT images he assessed since October 2022.  On the spot, a resolution by the Board was passed to investigate this matter.  The meeting was attended by the LBJ Board of Directors, CEO, LDS volunteer physicians, and management.  It has been almost 11-months and nothing has been done.  

An incident report letter requesting an investigation into the 5 preventable deaths cover-up was given to the CEO on November 1, 2023.  The Board Chairman sent a response on November 6, 2023 they will do an investigation, but then flew off-island that same night with the CEO, CFO, Jean Anderson and a new Chief of Business Affairs and Audit; who is doing the 5-preventable deaths investigation? Is the life of 1 person not important, let alone 5 people?   The Department of Interior has representatives from Washington DC on island, and scheduled to visit LBJ who receives millions in Federal funding for hospital operations.  It’s a shame DOI will not be met with decision-makers of the hospital when they visit. 

This petition is important so it will bring positive change for the healthcare system of American Samoa and hold the LBJ Board, CEO and management accountable for neglect and the cover-up of those 5 preventable deaths.   I want to encourage safe and quality practices for our people.  Those who hurt our people should be made responsible and relieved of their duties.    There is a need for incidents reports or complaints to be properly reported and investigated with corrective actions.  The Board and CEO do not care! 

This petition calls ASG, the American Samoa Health Regulatory Board, and LBJTMC to: 
1.    Conduct a thorough investigation at LBJ for the 5 preventable deaths as reported by Dr. Harold Walker by an external 3rd party, and for the Fono Health Committee to also investigate this issue.

2.    Request the Governor to dismantle this Board immediately, and replace it with compassionate and professional members of the community who understand the role, duties, and responsibilities of being a member of the hospital Board.

3.    Provide a review of practice and procedures to address the failings identified in the investigation report, and produce an action plan to achieve improvement for patient safety and quality care.

4.    Make sure the Board ensures policies are in place to engage in proper clinical risk management, and complaint management for preventable deaths instead of interfering in hospital operations.