Touchette Regional Hospital, doctor named in malpractice suit

Touchette Regional Hospital faces a lawsuit after an attending physician allegedly misdiagnosed a patient's serious condition as an allergic reaction.

Shannon Jones filed suit July 25 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Dr. Sana Ullah and the hospital.

According to the complaint, on July 24, 2012, Jones sought treatment at St. Elizabeth's Hospital for a swollen left eye and pressure on the left side of her head. She was diagnosed with angioedema, given a prescription of Decadron and sent home, the suit states. Two days later she sought further treatment at Touchette Regional Hospital under the care of Ullah, who noted the plaintiff's symptoms had become worse. Ullah, believing her symptoms to be an allergic reaction despite Jones claiming she had no allergies, prescribed Bendryl to Jones and discharged her, according to the filing.

On July 30, 2012, the plaintiff's family found her after she had fallen and was confused and could hardly speak. Jones was rushed to St. Louis University Hospital, where it was discovered she had a previously undiagnosed frontal sinusitis condition that had progressed to involve an intracranial space, necessitating extensive surgery and care to treat, the suit states.

The defendants are accused of negligence and medical malpractice.

Jones is seeking damages in an amount that exceeds the jurisdictional minimum. She is represented by Chicago attorney Douglas Hopson of the Hopson Firm PC.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 14-L-565.