Man dies during Emory sleep test

By Craig Schneider and Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Controversy in the death of a 25-year-old man has pitted a family active in the metro Atlanta church community against one of the area's major medical facilities over a procedure generally regarded to pose little threat.

Family members have hurled accusations of medical negligence after Brandon Harris of Stone Mountain died in late January during a sleep study at Emory Healthcare.

Renee "Sunshine" Lewis, Harris' mother,  said staff did not properly watch over her son, and he repeatedly gestured for help that did not come.

Harris' family members are calling for  the hospital to close the sleep clinic until a full review is performed.

"We never knew he'd be dead," Lewis said. "Brandon did not receive the appropriate care from (the sleep center). Actually, in my opinion, he received no care at all."

Emory, in a statement, said that Harris died of sudden cardiac arrest and the hospital attended to him appropriately.

The DeKalb Medical Examiner's Office conducted its own inquiry into Harris' death and concluded there was no reason for its office to pursue further investigation. The office does not examine issues related to medical standard of care.

"He had significant medical problems ... He had a medical history that could explain a sudden death," said Paul Kelhofer, DeKalb County medical examiner's office director.

Harris, a medical assistant, entered the Emory sleep center on Jan. 22 and was dead by the next morning. Family members held a press conference and a protest. On Monday, they delivered a letter to Emory officials demanding the clinic close until they receive answers.

Lewis acknowledged her son had medical conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, but said he was using medication to treat the conditions. He also was overweight. A family friend, Michael Langford, said Harris had "heart challenges in the past."

Harris was brought to Emory for sleep apnea, which is a pause in breathing or shallow breathes during sleep. The disorder has been linked to hypertension, diabetes, heart failure and obesity, according to the Georgia Association of Sleep Professionals.

Emory said Harris was an outpatient in a sleep study performed on "medically stable patients who are observed sleeping by trained providers." The tests are considered safe. No drugs are administered to the patient. Sensors typically are applied to the person to monitor heart rhythms, brain waves and eye movements, hospital officials said.

Harris died of "sudden cardiac death, meaning that his heart stopped suddenly and without warning," the Emory statement said.

However, John Lewis, Harris' uncle, said the hospital allowed him to watch video footage of his nephew at the sleep center and he said there was negligence in monitoring Harris. The tape showed Harris waving seven times over 40 minutes apparently to draw someone's attention but no one responded, Lewis said.

A nurse responded when Harris removed sensors from his body. Harris walked to a nearby restroom and the nurse left, and he returned to the room and to bed.

Three nurses later entered the room and Harris appeared to be in discomfort. He tried to get up, lost his balance and fell, bringing emergency personnel, the uncle said.

"There is no reason he should have been neglected like that," John Lewis said.