Holly Patterson Received Proper Care Before Abortion Death, Hospital Says
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 2, 2003
Pleasanton, CA (LifeNews.com) — Hospital officials at the medical center where Holly Patterson was treated following complications from a botched RU 486 abortion said they did everything possible in an attempt to save her life
Speaking for the first time since Patterson’s death, officials at Valley Care Medical Center in Pleasanton, California called on the FDA to examine the abortion drug and Holly’s death.
"At this point, we have seen no issue with the care and treatment she received here. We have not finished our investigation. We are still looking at it extensively," said hospital CEO Marcy Feit at a Wednesday press conference.
Feit said the hospital is investigating Patterson’s care and added that Valley Care officials are demanding an immediate investigation into the safety of the abortion pill.
"We’re going to be asking the FDA to give us some answers about the safety of this drug," she said. The abortion drugs "have had a controversial history since they were first approved in 2000."
Patterson went to Valley Care complaining of severe bleeding and excessive pain after taking the second part of the two-drug abortion process.
She obtained the dangerous abortion drug combo at a Planned Parenthood in Hayward, California days earlier. Despite Patterson’s death, Planned Parenthood is still giving the abortion drug to women.
Patterson went to Valley Care twice. The first time she went, doctors gave her painkillers and sent her home.
The second time Holly went to the hospital, she was in bad condition. Doctors at ValleyCare say she died from septic shock and a massive systemic infection as a result of a botched abortion that left part of the developing baby inside her.
Feit said the hospital has treated women for abortion complications in the past but did not know whether any of the women had taken the aborrtion drug.
Monty Patterson, Holly’s father, is also demanding an investigation into RU 486.
"I’d like to see it investigated to see if it works as well as it’s advertised," he said.
Pro-life groups say the media is to blame for keeping details of RU 486’s risks and dangers from the public.
"Sadly, media bias has kept the deadly nature of this drug under wrap," Brian Johnston, executive director of the California Pro-Life Council, told LifeNews.com.
"Studies in France had already revealed the dangerous nature of this powerful, artificial steroid. It’s only purpose is to kill. It’s time that those who pretend to be ‘informing the public’ stop functionaing as cheerleaders of abortion and start presenting the facts," Johnston added.
The California state health department has announced it is launching an investigation into ValleyCare that could take as long as a month.
The Alameda County Coroner’s Office is continuing its examination of Patterson to determine the cause of death. Officials say a result isn’t expected for another three weeks.
The Food and Drug Administration is conducting its own investigation into Patterson’s death.
