Woman asking for $6 million in medical malpractice claim against UIHC

A Lisbon woman has filed a malpractice claim against the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics because she says she suffered brain damage after surgery.

Ardeth Wray, 74, is asking the hospital to pay her $6 million. Dr. Jeremy Greenlee diagnosed Wray with a non-cancerous tumor in the lining of her brain in May of 2015. These tumors grow slowly and doctors can just monitor them.

The claim says Dr. Greenlee thought it was best that Wray have surgery in June of 2015 to remove the tumor and part of her skull. He put screws and titanium mesh in place of the removed skull.

Less than a month later, according to her lawyer, there was drainage from her incision and an infection. Wray and UIHC's Infectious Disease Department say Dr. Greenlee should have replaced her titanium mesh with a new one to clear the infection. The Infectious Disease Department says because he didn't replace the mesh, Wray will need a prolonged course of IV antibiotics.

In January of 2016, the claim says Wray contacted UIHC saying the incision felt painful and she was having daily headaches. Dr. Greenlee admitted her to the hospital three days later. She underwent surgery to remove her titanium mesh and screws. But that mesh was stuck to part of the membrane of her brain and when removed caused severe blood loss. This caused her to suffer a stroke.

When she woke up from surgery she suffered a communication disorder that caused her not to be able to talk or follow commands. She had to go to a nursing facility in February 2016 for IV treatment as well as physical, occupational and speech therapy.

The claim says Wray continues to have headaches, memory and vision loss and struggles with most cognitive functions.