RELATED: Documents: $6 million to Armstrong family in wrongful death
One expert retained by the hospital found serious problems with his treatment, according to the New York Times, which received dozens of documents related to the case anonymously.
“Armstrong had undergone bypass surgery in early August 2012, and his wife told The Associated Press afterward that he was ‘amazingly resilient’ and was walking in the corridor,” according to the New York Times report. “But when nurses removed the wires for a temporary pacemaker, he began to bleed into the membrane surrounding the heart, leading to a cascade of problems that resulted in his death on Aug. 25.”
A motion to seal was filed in Hamilton County Probate Court on Sept. 23, 2014, and court documents indicated if word leaked, the beneficiaries had to return all of the money. The probate judge denied the motion in November 2014.
Mercy Health-Fairfield opened in 1978, first as a satellite hospitals to Mercy Hospital in Hamilton — which closed in 2001 — and has grown to become one of the largest hospitals serving Butler County. The hospital has an estimated 1,400 employees.
Mercy Health-Fairfield has long been recognized as one of the nation's top 50 heart hospitals.
Mercy Health-Fairfield Hospital issued the following statement to the Journal-News on Wednesday.
“Our commitment to patient privacy and dignity is a responsibility we take very seriously, and we are unable to discuss any individual or his or her care,” the statement reads. “The public nature of these details is very disappointing – both for our ministry and the patient’s family who had wished to keep this legal matter private.
“Our focus on advanced, high-quality, patient-centric care is a cornerstone of our ministry, and our commitment to our Mission is unwavering - we extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of our communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. This is our promise to every patient who comes through our doors.”
Documents filed in Probate Court indicate 10 family members were to receive allocations from the settlement, including Armstrong’s two sons, who each received almost $2.6 million, his brother and sister, who received $250,000, and six grandchildren, who received $24,000 each. His widow Carol received nothing.
The 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon was celebrated Saturday.