KISSIMMEE, Fla.,None — The state of Florida is stepping in to investigate the case of a teen accused of impersonating a physician assistant at Osceola Regional Medical Center, after sources told WFTV that the teen performed CPR on a 51-year-old woman who later died.
Matthew Scheidt, 17, was arrested for allegedly impersonating a physician assistant at Osceola Regional Medical Center, and now the hospital is under fire. Police said Scheidt spent nearly two weeks in the hospital, impersonating a physician assistant and treating patients.
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This case isn't the first time the state has investigated the hospital. There have been more than a dozen complaints filed against the hospital, but only two of those had enough for the state to require changes be made.
One of those cases involved nurses not checking in often enough on a bleeding patient. The other involved a patient who was self-administering his own medication.
The hospital is now being investigated by State Agency for Healthcare Administration over the allegations against Scheidt. But the state said there was nothing out of the ordinary with the number of complaints that have been filed against Osceola Regional.
Investigators said depending on what they find inside the hospital, the medical center could be in serious trouble. Possible action could range from fines to a forced shutdown.
Alma Amely died at the hospital on August 26 and sources confirmed to WFTV that she was treated by Scheidt. Now, her family said they are disgusted and want answers.
"That's a different story, it's very disturbing," said Amely's husband, Rafael Amely.
Sources said that Scheidt was trying to save her life inside one of the hospital's rooms. Scheidt had access to patient records, hospital rooms and treated patients at the hospital, investigators said.
Alma was rushed to the emergency room after her husband found her unresponsive after police said she overdosed on prescription pain pills.
However, according to the medical examiner, she did not die until a day later, and in between, sources said Scheidt treated her.
"Makes you mad knowing you trust a hospital 100 percent with your family and that something like this has to happen," Rafael Amely said. "When you have a person working on your loved ones, they got to know what they're doing."
But Kissimmee police said Scheidt will not face any negligent homicide charges because there's no indication that anything he did directly contributed to her death.
As for the hospital, the family said, they've been kept in the dark and not contacted at all.
"They [are] not doing anything so far," Rafael Amely said.
This isn't the first time Scheidt has been in trouble. He was kicked out of an Osceola County Sheriff's program more than a year ago for trying to break the rules, according to the Sheriff's Office. WFTV found out he even tried to reapply, but they would not take him back.
He was written up four times by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office when he was a member of the explorer's program from 2007 to 2010, according to officials. While in an explorer's uniform, officials said, Scheidt carried Mace, wore a bullet proof vest, carried a badge and missed an honor guard detail.
"Carrying those things is a violation of the policy for the explorer's program and that was the reason why he was removed," said Twis Lizasuain, of the Osceola County Sheriff's Office.
Police said they are still looking into the case, and more charges could be filed against Scheidt.
Osceola Regional has had all matters resolved with the state except for the Scheidt case. But the state said Scheidt is the exception and not the standard of care at the hospital.
There are two pending lawsuits involving hospital staff. One involves a 450-pound man who said hospital staff forced him to lie down on a bed which then broke and he claims he fractured his back in the fall.
Another involves the case of an Ohio man who choked to death on his own vomit during anesthesia.
If you have experienced problems at Osceola Regional Medical Center please email WFTV at News@wftv.com
Previous Stories: September 7, 2011: WFTV Investigates Teen Accused Of Posing As Doctor's Assistant September 6, 2011: Osceola Teen Accused Of Posing As Physician Assistant Makes Court Appearance September 6, 2011: Family Says Teen Accused Of Posing As Hospital Worker Needs Help September 3, 2011: Osceola Teen Accused Of Posing As Hospital Worker
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