Loyola University Medical Center: Give Alex Spourdalakis the medical treatment he needs!

Loyola University Medical Center: Give Alex Spourdalakis the medical treatment he needs!

The Issue

On February 16th, Dorothy Spourdalakis took her 14 year old son Alex - who suffers from autism and is nonverbal - to Gottlieb Hospital for severe gastrointestinal distress. There, Alex was placed in locked restraints to all four limbs. He remained restrained for there for 13 days while he suffered bouts of severe vomiting and diarrhea, naked save only a hospital sheet to cover him. On February 28th, Alex was transferred to to Loyola University Medical Center because they could provide the services that the hospital determined he needed - pediatric gastroenterology, neurology and anesthesiology. However, when the gastroenterologist saw Alex on March 5th he did not see the need to perform a physical exam. On March 12th, Dorothy had a care plan meeting at the hospital. She was told that the staff is “unable” to determine if Alex is having pain, and only psychiatric treatment has been ordered. Dorothy was told that if she does not agree fully to the terms, Alex would be removed and placed in the care of DCFS. Alex has now been in the hospital for almost a month (20+ days of which were spent in restraints). None of the many standardized assessment tools for nonverbal patients have been utilized .His pain has not yet been assessed or treated. He has not been medicated for pain. He is being denied medical care and accommodations for his disability of autism. TELL LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER TO DO THE STANDARD GASTROINTESTINAL TESTING THAT WOULD BE DONE IF ALEX DID NOT HAVE AUTISM!!!!

Decision Makers: Office of Quality Monitoring +3
20 Updates
Confirmed victory
This petition made change with 512 supporters!
Decision Makers: Office of Quality Monitoring +3
20 Updates

The Issue

On February 16th, Dorothy Spourdalakis took her 14 year old son Alex - who suffers from autism and is nonverbal - to Gottlieb Hospital for severe gastrointestinal distress. There, Alex was placed in locked restraints to all four limbs. He remained restrained for there for 13 days while he suffered bouts of severe vomiting and diarrhea, naked save only a hospital sheet to cover him. On February 28th, Alex was transferred to to Loyola University Medical Center because they could provide the services that the hospital determined he needed - pediatric gastroenterology, neurology and anesthesiology. However, when the gastroenterologist saw Alex on March 5th he did not see the need to perform a physical exam. On March 12th, Dorothy had a care plan meeting at the hospital. She was told that the staff is “unable” to determine if Alex is having pain, and only psychiatric treatment has been ordered. Dorothy was told that if she does not agree fully to the terms, Alex would be removed and placed in the care of DCFS. Alex has now been in the hospital for almost a month (20+ days of which were spent in restraints). None of the many standardized assessment tools for nonverbal patients have been utilized .His pain has not yet been assessed or treated. He has not been medicated for pain. He is being denied medical care and accommodations for his disability of autism. TELL LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER TO DO THE STANDARD GASTROINTESTINAL TESTING THAT WOULD BE DONE IF ALEX DID NOT HAVE AUTISM!!!!

Confirmed victory

This petition made change with 512 supporters!

Share this petition

The Decision Makers

  • Office of Quality Monitoring

    The Joint Commission

    No response

  • Paula Hindle

    Vice President and CNE, Loyola University Medical Center

    No response

  • Office for Civil Rights

    Office for Civil Rights

    No response

The Supporters

Share this petition

Share this petition in person or use the QR code for your own material.Download QR Code
Petition created on March 15, 2013