Report Faults Tampa Hospital For Marine's Death
TAMPA, Fla. -- An investigation by the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department has concluded that a Marine who died while being treated at a Tampa V.A. hospital did not receive adequate care.
A report released Thursday says hospital staff failed to recognize the severity of his condition.
Lance Corp. Jonathan Gadsden arrived at the James A. Haley V.A. Medical Center in late September. He was wounded in August during fighting in Iraq's Al Anbar province.
The 21-year-old from Charleston, S.C., died Oct. 22 of bacterial meningitis.
The V.A. report says a more thorough review by the infectious diseases staff might have led to the discovery of a bacteria found in the soil in Iraq that can enter the body through dirty battlefield wounds.
Haley's director says physicians involved in Gadsden's care have undergone peer review and "appropriate action" has been taken.