Oregon Public Broadcasting

A federal review has found Portland Adventist Medical Center followed legal requirements in its response to a man who died in February after a crash in the hospital parking lot.

Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer called for an independent investigation into the hospital’s response. 

Willie Smith is the congressman’s district director.  He says the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services contracted with the Oregon Department of Health to conduct the investigation. 

In a written statement, Blumenauer said the investigation “found that Adventist was in full compliance with federal laws and regulations.”

Thomas Russell is the hospital’s president and chief executive officer.  In a statement, he said the findings show that the hospital responded quote “immediately” to try to save the victim once the accident was reported.

Birgilio Marin-Fuentes died after the car he was driving hit a post in the Adventist parking lot. About 20 minutes later, someone noticed his haphazardly-parked car and called police.

An officer who ran into the hospital ER for medical help said he was told to call an ambulance.

Attorney Greg Kafoury is representing the Marin-Fuentes family .

He says no lawsuit has been filed. But he said, “The officer told the hospital the man wasn’t breathing. It took them six minutes to respond. That’s a long time when a man’s not breathing. As to this report: once again, the establishment takes care of its own.”