COVID-19 patient given meds without consent at Woodmont Hospital

On January 10, 76-year-old Ina was rushed to HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital accompanied by her daughter Leba. Ina had chronic lymphocytic leukemia and, when her hemoglobin levels had dropped, she had become extremely weak, prompting her visit to the hospital.  

When they arrived at the hospital, Leba informed the medical staff that she had power of attorney (POA) and could make medical decisions on her mother’s behalf. One of the requests Leba made to the staff was that Leba be consulted prior to any drug being administered to her mother. 

Leba, who has a background in healthcare, also requested that one particular drug, Remdesivir, not be administered to her mother under any circumstances. 

Remdesivir is a COVID-19 drug recommended by the FDA and the CDC despite warnings by many doctors. While other drugs such as hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin have been verified to cure early COVID-19, they have been largely shunned by the medical establishment and mainstream media, who continue to favor Remdesivir. 

“Hospital administrators know that they will be extra for doing the PCR tests and positive test results,” said Dr. Lee Vliet, president and chief executive officer for the physician-founded Truth for Health. “A COVID diagnosis means admission to the hospital. On admission, there is an incentive payment. Use of Remdesivir provides a 20 percent bonus payment from our government to the hospital on the entire hospital bill for that COVID patient.” 

Leba’s request to not administer her mother Remdesivir was noted in writing by the medical staff. 

At intake, the nurse performed a rapid antigen COVID-19 test, and shortly after Leba was informed that her mother had tested positive and was placed in a COVID stepdown ward. 

That’s when Leba started noticing something wasn’t right. 

For one, no one else who was living with Ina had COVID – not Leba or Leba’s father or the aides that were always around providing home care to Ina. 

Second, Leba noticed that the physicians had placed two orders for Remdesivir, despite Leba’s request.  

Third, Leba came across a Physician Attestation by Snigdha Kurimilla, which read: “Patient daughter has too many requests for physicians and too many conditions to treat the patient,” despite the fact that Leba had full POA. 

Leba began to worry that Remdesivir had indeed been administered to her mother. She requested the full medical records but was told that they would only be released upon her mother being discharged. 

After investigating further, Leba came across a protocol that showed that her mother was given Baricitinib. She began to worry, because she had never heard of this drug, let alone been notified that it was being administered to her mother. She checked with her patient advocate, who advised that this drug is often given in combination with Remdesivir. 

“So they probably gave her the remdesivir,” said the advocate. 

It was also revealed that Ina was administered Haldol without Leba’s knowledge. 

“Giving someone any drug without their knowledge and consent is not only massively unethical, it's also illegal,” commented renowned physician Dr. Daniel Stock. “If I had a patient in respiratory distress, I wouldn't use that agent to calm them in any case, as other agents are equally safe but less mentation-deranging than haldol."

According to attorney Jay Sanchez, “They gave her Haldol so she wouldn’t complain. But it is a powerful antipsychotic. It can make your heart stop.” 

Ina’s respiratory therapist also weighed in. “Well it’s only for like people are [sic] with sun-downers or psychotic breaks,” she said. 

Leba also found the physician’s assessment, which said that Ina had been vaccinated, which she had not. 

“She wrote my mom was fully vaccinated,” said Leba. “I don’t know where she gets that or why.” 

Ina’s condition steadily worsened and ultimately had to return to the ICU due to respiratory failure. She was put on a ventilator and developed a fever. 

Leba wanted to visit her mother to comfort her and to confirm that her mother was receiving the proper care. But patients at Woodmont Hospital are not allowed visitors due to COVID-19, a policy that many on the medical staff are against.  

“Please don’t be angry with us,” Leba recalls being told by the nurses. “It’s not our policy to keep families out. We don’t agree...We think you should see your loved ones, especially when they’re dying.” 

The ER doctor took pity on Leba and allowed her to see her mother for a few minutes. He told Leba that he could get in big trouble, and also confirmed that he is against giving patients Remdesivir for COVID-19. 

On January 25, Leba received a call from the hospital that her mother had death rattle and to come to the hospital. 

“My mom was an amazing, loving, fun person,” Leba said. “Everyone loved her. She has the most beautiful blue eyes that everyone commented on. She was my protector, my confidant, my best friend, and they decided they could do things without consent.” 

Ina passed away on February 1, 2022. 

“They took advantage of a senior with many co-morbidities,” Leba added. “This didn’t have to happen.” 

AFLDS Frontline News reached out to Woodmont Hospital for a statement but did not hear back.