Coney Island Hospital Misdiagnosed Grandmother Who Died Of Meningitis, Autopsy Reveals

The Medical Examiner’s office determined Coney Island Hospital botched the diagnosis of a Brooklyn grandmother who died in their care earlier this year, the Daily News reports.

An autopsy concluded 47-year-old Grisel Soto, of Sea Gate, died of Meningitis — something the family long suspected – when she was brought to the emergency room on January 31. Soto reportedly had a temperature of 101 degrees and was acting irrationally and unable to speak. Staff at the hospital believed Soto was having a psychotic episode related to synthetic marijuana, despite protests from Soto’s husband.

Hospital staff reportedly restrained Soto and injected her with tranquilizers. She died after suffering five heart attacks during her last 10 hours at the hospital, according to the Daily News.

The family’s lawyer, Sanford Rubenstein, said hospital staff ignored by staff after she was restrained and he intends to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the hospital.

“Had she been seen by a physician without extensive delay, who could have ordered the appropriate diagnostic testing needed, she would be alive today,” he told the Daily News.

Soto’s death has brought considerable scrutiny from the media and state investigators. In April, the Health Department hit Coney Island Hospital with six violations for their treatment of Soto. The incident was also followed by a shakeup among the hospital’s senior officials.

NYC Health + Hospitals, he organization that runs the embattled facility, insists the leadership changes are related to a system-wide restructuring and have nothing to do with Soto’s death.

In a statement responding to an inquiry about the Medial Examiner’s autopsy, NYC Health + Hospitals said: “It’s a new day with new leadership at Coney Island Hospital. We are committed to patient safety and providing the best possible care and experience for every patient and their family.”