Tragic Death of 2-Year-Old Gainesville Special Needs Child at Shands Children’s Hospital, University of Florida, Raises Urgent Questions About Patient Care For the Most Vulnerable Children

Patient Safety Failures and Renewed Calls to Reform Florida’s Sovereign Immunity Laws

Gainesville, FL – [Date] – The family of two-year-old De’Markus Jeremiah Page is mourning the devastating loss of their son following a multitude of egregious preventable medical errors at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida.

On March 1, 2024, De’Markus, who had special needs, was admitted to AdventHealth Ocala Hospital for persistent vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased oral intake. He was diagnosed with a viral illness and critically low potassium levels, prompting immediate IV therapy and a transfer to Shands for higher-level care.

At Shands, De’Markus was admitted to a general pediatric unit rather than an intensive care setting, despite his dangerously low electrolyte levels and complex medical needs. Over the next 36 hours, critical care protocols—fluid & electrolyte monitoring with 24-hour Intake & Output measurements — were not ordered or implemented.

On March 3, 2024, multiple medication and medical errors led to De’Markus receiving a tenfold overdose of oral potassium phosphate in combination with other routes of unmonitored potassium administration. These egregious errors led to dangerously high blood potassium levels. Without appropriate lab surveillance and clinical monitoring, De’Markus’ potassium levels surged to fatal levels, causing a cardiac arrest. Because De’Markus was not on cardiac monitoring or receiving critical care supervision, medical personnel were not aware of the cardiac arrest and once alerted to the arrest there was an over 20-minute delay and multiple failed attempts due to inadequate training and equipment to intubate De’Markus to protect his airway to ensure he was properly oxygenated. Since his cardiac arrest was correctable once the potassium overdose was noted, he should have survived but the delay in intubation led to him suffering prolonged oxygen deprivation, resulting in a catastrophic brain injury. De’Markus ultimately was determined to be brain dead and passed away in his mother’s arms.

This tragic case highlights serious concerns about patient safety, pediatric care protocols, and the oversight of the most vulnerable children with special needs in hospital settings like Shands Children Hospital. There was a total lack of hospital accountability for its clinical and resuscitation measures which failed to comply with CMS and JCAHO-required Code/CPR Documentation Record Requirements. De’Markus’ family hopes that sharing his story will raise awareness about the critical importance of proper monitoring, timely interventions, and hospital accountability in preventing similar tragedies.

Jordan Dulcie, Shareholder, at Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart and Shipley is representing De’Markus’ family. Please contact us if you would like comment from the attorney or a family member.