Florida mother sues hospital after toddler son had massive heart attack over alleged prescription error

A Florida mother has filed a wrongful death lawsuit after her 2-year-old son died from a massive heart attack after an alleged potassium overdose at UF Health Shands.

Toddler Admitted With Low Potassium Leads To Death

De’Markus Page, who weighed just 21 pounds, entered AdventHealth Ocala on March 1, 2024, with a virus and dangerously low potassium. Doctors transferred him the next day to Shands Teaching Hospital in Gainesville for specialized care.

Decimal Point Error Allegedly Changed Dose

According to the lawsuit, Dr. Jiabi Chen deleted a decimal point in the child’s prescription. The error increased his potassium dosage from 1.5 mmol to 15 mmol twice daily.

Court papers allege staff ignored pharmacy system warnings and administered the excessive doses. De’Markus was already receiving potassium through IV fluids and Pedialyte.

Cardiac Arrest and Delayed Response

On March 3, at 8:28 p.m., staff gave the toddler the second overdose. By 9:02 p.m., he went into cardiac arrest.

The lawsuit alleges medical staff took 20 minutes and made several failed attempts to intubate him. During that time, he lacked oxygen, which caused catastrophic brain damage.

Two Weeks on Life Support

De’Markus’ heart restarted, but the damage was irreversible. He endured seizures and ICU complications while on a ventilator. On March 18, 2024, his mother made the painful decision to remove life support.

Family Seeks Accountability after Potassium Overdose Leads to Toddler’s Death

Dominique Page filed suit against UF Health Shands, University of Florida Health, and medical staff. She seeks damages for her son’s suffering and her loss of companionship.

“It’s been extremely difficult since the passing of my son because to this day, I still have not known what happened,” Dominique Page, De’markus’ mother, told WCJB. “I was never told. When I asked, it was always a vague, ‘I do not know. I do not know.’ I still have nightmares about what happened.”