St. Mary's Hospital settles lawsuit related to endoscopy death; investigation of gastroenterologist closed: 6 things to know

St. Mary's Hospital in Madison, Wis., settled a lawsuit following the death of an endoscopy patient in 2013, according to a Wisconsin State Journal report.

Here are six things to know:

1. The hospital settled for an undisclosed amount, but the total is anticipated to be around $3.75 million.

2. The patient was undergoing a routine endoscopy and was under conscious sedation. He suffered irreversible brain damage from a lack of oxygen after the endoscopy.

3. The lawsuit alleged the physician gave the patient more than double the amount of sedation drugs than was ordered. It also claimed the physician did not properly monitor the patient.

4. The autopsy noted brain damage as the cause of death. Additionally, altered heart cells suggest his death could have occurred due to an unexpected cardiac event.

5. A Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services investigation into Jason Gonzaga, MD, the gastroenterologist who performed the endoscopy, was closed "for insufficient evidence of any unprofessional conduct," according to the report.

6. However, state investigations into the professional conduct of two nurses named in the suit are pending.

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