August 7, 1993: Sloppy Care Leads to Death

A woman identified as "Patient A" was 21 years old when she went to Craig M. Linder at 930 Broadway, North Massapequa, NY on August 5 or 7, 1993, for an abortion. I will call her Aubrey.

This address was Linder's private office. I have been unable to determine if he advertised and named his office as if it was a licensed clinic. 

Linder did not document any physical examination or medical history on Aubrey's chart. He didn't even note the basic vital signs of blood pressure, respiration, and pulse.

Linder administered 30cc of Marcaine to Aubrey. This drug comes with a warning (all caps in original):

LOCAL ANESTHETICS SHOULD ONLY BE EMPLOYED BY CLINICIANS WHO ARE WELL VERSED IN DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF DOSE-RELATED TOXICITY AND OTHER ACUTE EMERGENCIES WHICH MIGHT ARISE FROM THE BLOCK TO BE EMPLOYED, AND THEN ONLY AFTER INSURING THE IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY OF OXYGEN, OTHER RESUSCITATIVE DRUGS, CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATIVE EQUIPMENT, AND THE PERSONNEL RESOURCES NEEDED FOR PROPER MANAGEMENT OF TOXIC REACTIONS AND RELATED EMERGENCIES. (See also ADVERSE REACTIONS, PRECAUTIONS, and OVERDOSAGE.) DELAY IN PROPER MANAGEMENT OF DOSE-RELATED TOXICITY, UNDERVENTILATION FROM ANY CAUSE, AND/OR ALTERED SENSITIVITY MAY LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACIDOSIS, CARDIAC ARREST AND, POSSIBLY, DEATH.

Aubrey immediately went into seizures and cardiac arrest.  In spite of the FDA warning, Linder did not have appropriate emergency care equipment, supplies, staff, or a plan. 

Linder also did not document anything that happened to Aubrey, nor what actions he took to revive her. Medical board disciplinary documents indicate that Aubrey died.

Watch Did Aubrey Survive Linder's Care? on YouTube.

Source: Consent Order and Statement of Charges, August 1996