by Gainesville, FL – A 2-year-old boy tragically died in a Florida hospital after a doctor’s prescription error resulted in him receiving ten times the intended dosage of medication, according to a lawsuit filed last week. The case has raised serious concerns over hospital safety protocols and the administration of high-risk medications to vulnerable patients.
Medical Error Leads to Fatal Overdose
De’Markus Page, who suffered from low potassium levels and was described in court documents as a picky eater with suspected autism, was admitted to AdventHealth Ocala Hospital on March 1, 2024 with a viral infection and dangerously low electrolyte levels.
After initial treatment with intravenous fluids, De’Markus was transferred to Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics in Gainesville, Florida for higher-level care. At the time, he weighed just 21 pounds, placing him in the 30th percentile for his age, according to the lawsuit filed by his mother, Dominique Page.
Catastrophic Prescription Mistake
The suit alleges that on March 3, 2024, Dr. Jiabi Chen erroneously deleted a decimal point in De’Markus’ potassium prescription, instructing staff to administer 15 mmol twice daily instead of the intended 1.5 mmol, a tenfold increase. This dosage was compounded by two other forms of potassium the toddler was already receiving, including IV fluids and Pedialyte.
Despite a Red Flag warning in the hospital’s pharmacy system, the error went unnoticed by the medical team and pharmacists. The toddler received two excessive doses, with the final dose administered at 8:28 p.m. that day. By 9:02 p.m., he suffered a hyperkalemic cardiac arrest.
Delayed and Mismanaged Response
Court documents describe “2 to 3 botched attempts” to intubate De’Markus, during which at least twenty minutes passed with inadequate oxygen supply, resulting in catastrophic brain and organ damage. Though his heart briefly restarted, the toddler remained in critical condition in the ICU, experiencing seizures and multiple complications, before life support was withdrawn on March 18, 2024.
Legal Action and Claims
Dominique Page, from Marion County, Florida, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against University of Florida Health, Shands Teaching Hospital, and associated medical staff, seeking damages of at least $50,000. The lawsuit alleges gross negligence, highlighting the preventable nature of the tragedy and the hospital’s failure to meet basic medical standards of care.
Family attorney Jordan Dulcie stated, “No parent should have to lose a child like this. The family’s suffering was entirely preventable. We hope to bring this case to trial to prevent another family from enduring this nightmare.”
The hospital declined to comment on the specifics of the case, citing patient privacy and HIPAA regulations, but emphasized its commitment to protecting patient confidentiality.
Community and Medical Implications
This case has reignited debates over hospital oversight, pharmacy alert systems, and pediatric patient safety, particularly regarding the administration of high-risk medications. Advocates stress that proper safeguards, training, and double-check procedures are essential to prevent such devastating errors.
