Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against University of Florida Health Shands Over Decimal Error in Medication Order Leading to Death of Two-Year-Old De'Markus Page

A tragic incident involving a critical dosing error has sparked a wrongful death lawsuit against University of Florida Health Shands in Gainesville, Florida. The legal complaint, filed by the family of two-year-old De'Markus Page, alleges that a decimal point error in a medication order led to his death. The boy, described by his parents as active and picky eater, arrived at AdventHealth Ocala Hospital in March 2024 with persistent crying, diarrhea, and a complete loss of appetite. Doctors initially diagnosed him with a common cold virus and dangerously low potassium levels, a condition known as hypokalemia that can cause severe muscle weakness and, in extreme cases, fatal heart rhythm issues.

The lawsuit claims that De'Markus was transferred to UF Health Shands for more advanced care due to the instability of his electrolyte levels. However, the complaint alleges that hospital staff failed to recognize the critical nature of his condition and overlooked essential protocols, such as constant vital sign monitoring. His treatment plan included a prescribed dosage of 1.5 millimoles (mmol) of potassium phosphate twice daily to restore his potassium levels to a healthy range. According to the legal filing, a doctor on his second day in the hospital mistakenly entered an order for 15 mmol instead of 1.5 mmol, a tenfold increase in the prescribed dose.

This error, which the lawsuit describes as unconscionable, triggered a catastrophic chain of events. Excessive potassium levels can disrupt the heart's electrical signals, leading to sudden cardiac arrest. The complaint states that the overdose caused De'Markus to suffer a hyperkalemic cardiac arrest, followed by a prolonged resuscitation effort that left his brain deprived of oxygen. Medical staff allegedly took over 20 minutes to successfully intubate him, resulting in irreversible brain damage. Despite resuscitation, he showed no neurological improvement after two weeks on life support and was later removed from the ventilator. He was pronounced dead on March 18, 2024, with the official cause of death attributed to hyperkalemic cardiac arrest and subsequent anoxic brain injury.

The lawsuit further alleges that the hospital's pharmacy system issued a 'Red Flag' warning about the excessive dose but failed to address it. The error was not detected by supervising physicians, and the boy received the erroneous dose twice in one day. His family is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 to cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and other losses. UF Health Shands has not commented on the legal complaint, citing its policy of not responding to ongoing litigation. The boy's mother, Dominique Page, has spoken publicly about the emotional toll of the incident, expressing frustration over the lack of transparency and information provided by hospital staff during the ordeal.

De'Markus had been described as a healthy and active child prior to his hospitalization, though he faced challenges with nutrition and was underweight for his age. His parents noted that his picky eating habits made him more vulnerable to fluid and electrolyte imbalances during illness. The lawsuit emphasizes that his condition required admission to an intensive care unit (ICU), where he would have received continuous monitoring and critical-care oversight. Instead, he was initially placed on a general pediatric floor, a decision the family claims was inadequate given the severity of his electrolyte instability. The incident has raised questions about hospital protocols, medication safety, and the importance of vigilant oversight in pediatric care.

The legal complaint does not specify how the family learned the details of De'Markus's death, though it may have been through a combination of their own observations, information from hospital staff, and a formal investigation required by Florida law. The case underscores the potential consequences of even minor errors in medical dosing and the systemic failures that can occur when protocols are not followed. As the lawsuit progresses, it will likely bring renewed attention to the need for improved safeguards in medication administration and the critical role of communication between medical staff and patients' families during times of crisis.