SANTA MARIA, Calif. - A hospital's focus on
accommodating a flu-stricken Michael Jackson contributed to the
death of an elderly heart patient, according to members of the
woman's family who on Friday threatened to sue the pop star and the
hospital.
The family of Manuela Gomez Ruiz, 74, told ABC's "Good Morning
America" that the grandmother was relocated from Marian Medical
Center's primary trauma room to a smaller room so that Jackson could
have the larger room. Ruiz was being treated Feb. 15 for a heart
attack, the family said, and died the same day after two more heart
attacks following her move.
Jackson's overnight hospitalization ended Feb. 16, forcing a
postponement of jury selection in his child molestation case. That
selection process concluded Thursday, setting up opening statements
Monday.
Members of Ruiz's family said they have hired an attorney and
plan to sue the hospital and Jackson.
Maria Elena Ortiz said she objected to her mother being moved
after Jackson was admitted.
"Why does she have to be moved if he's coming in for a stomach
flu?" Ortiz told ABC. "I said, 'My mother just had a heart attack
and I think it's more critical than a stomach flu.' They didn't say
anything."
The hospital offered condolences to Ruiz's family, but in a
statement said patient privacy laws and hospital rules prevented
more specific comment.
"We are confident, however, that our patients have and continue
to receive high-quality, compassionate and timely care," the
statement said.
Jackson publicist Raymone Bain blasted the "Good Morning America"
report.
"It is outrageous that Michael Jackson's name would be invoked
into a situation of which he had no authority or control," Bain
said. "He was a patient himself."
In the statement, the singer also offered condolences to Ruiz's
family.
