Memorial Hermann Health System

Simone and Marquis Jordan
[protected]@gmail.com
[protected]

Marley R. Jordan - Patient D.O.B. 11/01/2018
Simone & Marquis Jordan - Parents
[protected]-7503
04/17/19

We Visited Memorial Hermann's League City CCC Emergency Department on 4/17/19, with my daughter, 5 month old, Marley Jordan because she had a temperature. When taken to the back, we explained to the doctor and nurse, that Marley had a temperature. My husband and I were asked if she had any vaccinations in the past few days. I explained that Marley has not been vaccinated and immediately the doctor's (Wendy Brooks Alcanter) tone became angry, accusatory and condescending. She wanted to know why Marley had not been vaccinated. I told her that it was our (my husband and I's) choice, her exact words were (as she raised her voice), "don't you care about your daughter dying".
Dr. Alcanter went on to say that, she was going to give Marley a spinal tap, chest x-ray and blood draw, solely because she was unvaccinated. I told her I did not want her to do that, as Marley had no symptoms of difficulty breathing or upper respiratory issues. Dr. Alcanter then said that she gave all kids that are unvaccinated spinal taps when they had high fevers. I again said no. She then said that they were going to give Marley a catheter to get a urine sample to see if she had a urinary tract infection (UTI). After googling the symptoms of a UTI (high fever, loss of appetite, irritability, vomiting and odor) my husband and I said no we did not want that test either, however, the doctor continued to badger us and we finally relented. I voiced my concern that Marley's vaginal area was so small that they could hurt her. One nurse attempted to insert the catheter and failed twice, she then turned to another nurse and told her, "you try, I can't do it" the other nurse attempted and could not as well. Dr. Alcanter and the nursing staff continued to discount my concerns and desires for my baby. At that point, my husband got very upset, left the exam room and asked my mother-in- law to in. My mother-in-law came in the room and asked what was going on because she could hear Marley screaming while she was in the lobby. We found out later upon changing Marley's diaper that they had actually cut Marley with the plastic caterer tubing, however, they never mentioned that to us even though there was visible blood present. Dr. Alcanter kept insisting that she was going to do a spinal tap on Marley and both my Mother-in-law and I told her we refused to allow that. Dr. Alcanter then began saying that if she did not do the test she would in her words "die", at that moment my mother-in-law told me to call Marley's Pediatrician and take her to her. At that point, Dr. Alcanter told me that she was Marley's doctor and we could not take her. My mother-in-law told me to continue talking to the Pediatrician's office because we could and were going to take Marley to her Pediatrician. We explained to the doctor that we merely came to the ER because we wanted to give her Tylenol and were not sure how much to give since she was under the suggested 2 years of age. We further explained, since she was running a temperature, we decided to bring her to be checked, knowing they would give her the correct dosage of Tylenol. At that point, Tylenol was never mentioned as a treatment option, later a nurse came in and gave it to her. Meanwhile, Dr. Alcanter continued to tell us that she was Marley's doctor and we could not take her or she would die, asking me once again, did I want to kill my baby? On other instances, stating Marley would die if we left her without being treated. If I wanted my child to die or kill her, why would I bring her to a hospital? By this time, I had spoken to my baby's Pediatrician, explained Marley's entire situation, and was told to bring her over. My mother-in-law told the doctor that we were going to take Marley directly to her Pediatrician from the ER, however, Dr. Alcanter continued to say no and that if we left against her advice that Marley would die because she did not know why she had a fever of 103 degrees and that she could have a seizure and die. At no time while in the emergency room did Marley's temperature reach 102 degrees, much less, 103 degrees. I told her that when I had checked Marley's temperature at home in the early morning she registered 103 degrees. I was asked how I had taken her temperature and I said it was taken in her armpit. Dr. Alcanter said that the most accurate place to take a babies temperature was rectally and that orally or the armpit could cause the temperature to fluctuate 2 to 3 degrees. I repeated again that we wanted to take her to her Pediatrician and planned to take her directly there from the ER. My mother-in-law also told Dr. Alcanter that we were more comfortable taking Marley to her Pediatrician since she was familiar with Marley and knew her medical history and this was the first time in her 5 months that she had been sick. A Nurse Komeara came in, we explained our concerns about the medical staff and Dr. Alcanter not listening to our concerns and wishes for Marley and nurse Komeara stated that she understood. She also asked me to try to feed Marley again, so, my mother-in-law said she wanted to change her diaper and the nurse said for her to wait because she wanted to put a plastic pouch over her vaginal area so that she could collect some urine to test. Why was that not a valid suggestion when my husband and I requested that they not use a catheter? Dr. Alcanter then began to tell us that she needed the Pediatrician's number so that she could speak to her. We asked why and she said that she needed to talk to her about Marley's treatment and to let her know that she needed to stay at Memorial Hermann. I told her that I would sign something if I needed to that I wanted to take Marley to her Pediatrician. Dr. Alcanter continued to say that she was Marley's doctor and she did not want us to take her. My mother-in-law told Dr. Alcanter that I, as Marley's Parent, had a right to sign her daughter out against Medical Advice, so give her an AMA (Against Medical Advice) form. Dr. Alcanter seemed surprised that my mother-in-law knew that. Throughout this 2-hour ordeal, Dr. Alcanter continued to state that my daughter would die and she continued to ask for Marley's Pediatrician's phone number. My mother-in-law told her we did not want to give her the phone number because we believed that she would exaggerate the truth; as she was doing with us by telling Marley's Pediatrician that Marley had a 103-degree temperature and that her health was worse than it actually was. Never, during Marley's time at the ER did she ever have a temperature that reached 102 degrees. Additionally, Marley was alert, responsive, feeding, crying and drooling; which by the way, Nurse Komeara, RN pointed out when she commented that Marley was not dehydrated because she was crying and drooling.
Dr. Alcanter finally relented and agreed to bring an AMA form however, each time before and after she agreed to do so, she continued to come into the room and ask for Marley's Pediatrician's phone number, and we refused to give it to her. Finally, just before the nurse brought the form Dr. Alcanter told my mother-in-law and me that should Marley become worse bring her back to Memorial Hermann because she was her doctor and Memorial Hermann was better equipped to treat Marley. She went on to say that I should not take her to Texas Children's Hospital because "those doctors were not trained as Pediatric doctors and were only trained to treat pediatric patients once they get to Texas Children's, whereas Memorial Hermann's ER doctors are all pediatric doctors". My mother-in-law stated that it is called "Texas Children's" why would the doctors not be trained in pediatrics, that did not make sense. Dr. Alcanter continued to berate Texas Children's and its facility as incompetent.
As we were leaving through the lobby area the Desk clerk called out to us and said that we needed to register, however, we registered when we got to the hospital and the desk clerk was the very person to register us. After a minute or two, she stated that we had registered and were free to go.
I would like to say that was the end of our ordeal with Memorial Hermann, but unfortunately, it was not. As we stated to Dr. Alcanter we took Marley directly to her Pediatrician. The Pediatrician was able to perform all of the necessary tests without hurting Marley or upsetting her and as a result, Marley was feeling much better when we left and her temperature had decreased. The Pediatrician prescribed antibiotics and told me to continue to give her Infant Tylenol.
My husband and I dropped Marley off home with my Mother-in-law so that she could rest while we went to the drug store to pick up the Infant Tylenol prescribed by Dr. Alcanter, which, we were told by the Pharmacist could be purchased over the counter, which we did. Shortly after arriving at the Drug Store, I received a call from Child Protective Services (CPS), the Worker stated that Dr. Alcanter called CPS and told them that it was an Emergency Situation and that Marley was in immediate danger because we took her against medical advice and she would need to see Marley right away. I told her that we had just left her Pediatrician's office and that my husband and I were out picking up Marley's prescription, but, Marley was at home with my mother-in-law and I needed to call her and let her know that she was coming over.
The Social Worker arrived and told my mother-in-law that Dr. Alcanter called and reported an Emergency Case to CPS that Marley was in danger. My mother-in-law explained all that transpired with Dr. Alcanter to include her numerous statements that Marley was going to die and that I was going to kill my baby if I left the medical facility. The Social Worker looked Marley over and my mother-in-law removed Marley's diaper and showed her where the nurses had cut Marley's vaginal area. She stated that she had spoken with Dr. Alcanter and with Marley's Pediatrician and she would be closing the case because there is no abuse.
This entire ordeal was a result of Dr. Alcanter judging myself and my husband for our legal right and personal choice not vaccinate our baby. Had Dr. Alcanter given us the opportunity to explain our reasoning before judging and dismissing us as neglectful parents; we would have told her that we intend to vaccinate her once she had gotten a few months older. I believe another contributing factor was our refusal to give her the Pediatrician's phone number, which again is our right and choice, especially because of her response and treatment of us. Every indication told me that she would exaggerate Marley's condition to her Pediatrician in an attempt to keep my baby in her care. Everything about her demeanor once told Marley was unvaccinated was beyond unprofessional and unbiased. I have never witnessed a medical profession berate another Medical Facility and Professionals in such a manner. My concern is for all those other parents who are not aware of their rights and encountered this doctor. How many other babies has she traumatized, performed unnecessary spinal taps, and chest x-rays on simply because she does not agree with the parents' choice? How many other families and young mothers has she judged and bullied because of her personal opinion and beliefs? How many other families and young mothers has she falsely reported to CPS? Even though I told Dr. Alcanter and Nurse Komeara I was taking Marley to her Pediatrician directly from the hospital the discharge notes stated that "Follow up with a Physician. Note, an appointment was not made. You will need to call the doctor's office. Call today or as soon as possible for an appointment.", which was a blatant lie since both Dr. Alcanter and the discharge nurse, Komeara, were in the room during the time I was on the phone with the Pediatrician's office. Also, in the Comments section below that, emphasized with a star, are "Keep your appointment with your pediatrician today." I believe that Dr. Alcanter should not be practicing medicine. Her intimidation tactics, biases and vindictiveness are subjecting vulnerable parents to undo hardships and grief and defenseless babies to undue trauma simply because she has a personal issue with the parents' choice to not vaccinate their child. This doctor has to be stopped immediately before she inflicts any more damage, pain and suffering.