Southlake, TX – A Southlake mother is speaking out after federal regulators confirmed that Methodist Southlake Medical Center violated multiple federal emergency care standards, contributing to her 11-year-old son, N.M., being hospitalized in septic shock shortly after being discharged—twice—from the hospital’s emergency room.
Reasa Selph says her family trusted Methodist Southlake in a moment of crisis, but critical missteps by doctors and nursing staff allowed a serious infection to go untreated.
An April 2024 investigation by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) found the hospital violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) by failing to conduct a proper Medical Screening Exam. The CMS report also detailed additional deficiencies in nursing assessments and noted that hospital staff failed to communicate important lab results to N.M.’s parents prior to discharge.
“CMS confirmed what I already suspected—my son’s condition was serious, and that information never made it to us,” Selph said. “We left the hospital thinking he was stable, when he wasn’t.”
N.M. had first visited the ER on December 14, 2023, with fever and flu-like symptoms. He was discharged after receiving IV fluids. On December 23, he returned with worsening symptoms, including vomiting, weakness, and dizziness. Despite abnormal lab values indicating potential organ stress, hospital staff did not order additional tests or admit him for observation.
By Christmas morning, N.M.’s condition had declined significantly. “We brought him to Cook Children’s, and they immediately admitted him to the ICU in septic shock,” Selph said.
He remained hospitalized for over a month and required multiple procedures during his recovery. He is now back home and continuing to recover, though he is being monitored for ongoing health issues.
“At one point, he looked at me and said, ‘Mom, if I die, it’s okay,’” Selph recalled. “That’s something no parent should ever hear.”
Selph is advocating for better emergency care standards and clearer communication between hospital staff and families. “This isn’t about blame—it’s about making sure this doesn’t happen to another child,” she said.
Media Contact:
Company Name: Selph family
Contact Person: Reasa Selph
Email: rdselph@gmail.com
Phone: 817-697-3270
City: Southlake
State: TX
Country: USA
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