Sometime last night while I was heading home from Austin from the last meeting with the lawyers and insurance carriers for Frontera (broker), Freshpack (shipper), King Soopers (retailer) and Primus (auditor), Herb Stevens took his last breath.

If I were a cynic, you could look at the justice delayed and see that the strategy of the corporations that sell you “fresh fruit” is to stretch the process out until all the victims are dead.

If I were a cynic.

His wife, Elaine and his four daughters will continue the fight to hold these companies responsible.

Herb Stevens was an 86 year old retired hydrologist, who worked for the U.S. Geological Survey.  He lived in Littleton, Colorado with his wife, Elaine, with whom he has 4 daughters.  Before Listeria, his hobbies included gardening and woodworking.

He and Elaine were looking forward to celebrating their 60^th wedding anniversary in September 2011.

Elaine Stevens purchased a half cantaloupe, cut up at the King Soopers located at 100 Littleton Blvd. (Store #70), on August 10 and 24, 2011.  Herb ate the melon that Elaine had purchased on August 10, but did not eat any of the melon purchased on August 24.

On August 24, 2011, Herb and Elaine were out of the house early in the day attending to some errands.  Later, while at home, Herb developed some tremors or chills and became increasingly tired and weak—so weak that he was unable to get up from the toilet.  Elaine summoned a neighbor to help and placed an urgent 911 call at about 7:45 PM.

The paramedics described Herb as awake, alert, oriented, moving all extremities and complaining of weakness and fever.  In fact, he had a temperature of 101.7º F, and his blood pressure was 140/72.  Heart rate was 110/min and irregular with a pattern consistent with atrial fibrillation, on the cardiac monitor tracing.  The pulmonary assessment revealed slightly rapid respirations (24/min), diminished lung sounds, and hypoxia with an abnormally low oxygen saturation level (SaO2) of 86%.  The portable serum lactate monitor showed a critically high level at 6 (NR:0.5-2.2). This finding, in conjunction with the fever, prompted a “septic alert.”

The paramedics administered oxygen via a non-rebreather mask and established an intravenous site for the administration of fluids (normal saline).  He was transported emergently and arrived at the Emergency Department at Littleton Adventist Hospital just after 8:00 PM.

Littleton Adventist Hospital – Emergency Department Admission

The triage nurse assessed Herb and was aware that he might be septic due to the initial findings of fever and high lactate level.  She elicited his medical history, routine medications, and obtained vital signs.  His heart rate was still irregular at 88 to 110/min.  His temperature had risen to 102.5º F and he remained hypoxic.

Within minutes, Emergency Physician, Phillip Mitchell, MD, arrived to evaluate Herb, who was able to converse without difficulty.  He denied any chest pain or cardiac-related symptoms.  Dr. Mitchell recorded that Herb was suffering from a persistent dry cough, fatigue, anorexia and generalized malaise.  Herb’s physical examination was negative except for irregular heart rhythm, fever and lower extremity edema.  A septic diagnostic work-up was ordered.

Over the next several hours, Herb received continuous intravenous fluid hydration with normal saline in accordance with the “sepsis resuscitation protocol.”  His hypoxia improved with oxygen and nebulized aerosol bronchodilator therapy (Atrovent and Albuterol).  His fever began to come down with Tylenol and IV fluid hydration.

Laboratory results revealed that Herb’s platelet count was low and his renal function studies showed chronic renal insufficiency with elevation of BUN and creatinine.  His urinalysis demonstrated trace protein and 1+ bacteria.  Herb’s serum lactate was improved to 2.6 (NR: 0.5-2.2).

Dr. Mitchell later returned to reassess Herb and review the lab results and imaging studies.  Herb’s oxygen saturation was improved at 94% on oxygen.  His temperature was 100.7º F.  In light of Herb’s general malaise, weakness, and evidence of hypoxia at rest, Dr. Mitchell felt it imperative to admit him to the hospital.  He called Herb’s primary care provider, PA Michael McCleery of Provident Healthcare, to report his findings and recommendations for further evaluation.  The PA concurred and requested admission coverage by Critical Care/Pulmonary Consultants (CCPC).

Littleton Adventist Hospital – Inpatient AdmissionContinue Reading Herb Stevens, Yet Another Listeria Cantaloupe Victim, Died Last Night

Before Charles died he wanted to resolve the claim against Frontera, Freshpack, Walmart and Primus.  He wanted to make sure the $250,000 in medical bills were repaid and that Tammie and the boys were fairly cared for.  He never got to see that happen.

We tried in countless meetings (including the last one that ended…

The CDC and MDOH reported recently a total of five persons infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from four states.  The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Minnesota (2), and Ohio (1).  All five ill persons were hospitalized. One death was…