MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee woman has died after leaving the emergency room because she said they were taking "too long."
Tashonna Ward, 25, died on her way to Urgent Care on Jan. 2. According to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's report, Ward went to the Froedtert Hospital emergency room because she had been experiencing chest pains.
After arriving at the hospital, staff performed several tests to determine the cause of Ward's pain. An x-ray showed that Ward had cardiomegaly, also known as an enlarged heart.
According to the report, Ward left the ER several hours later with her sister because she felt she was waiting too long. Instead, she decided to go to Urgent Care.
After she left, Froedtert staff called Ward's cell phone to check on her. Her sister answered and told the staff that Ward had collapsed by their vehicle after arriving to Urgent Care. At the time of the call, Ward was in an ambulance on her way back to the emergency room.
When Ward arrived back at the ER, she was unresponsive. Staff couldn't perform any more tests and she was later pronounced dead.
Ward's mother requested an autopsy with the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner. They are still waiting on results.
"I'll miss who she was, who Tashonna was her heart," said Andrea Ward, Tashonna's cousin. "She was a beautiful person."
Froedtert Hospital wrote the following in a statement:
"The family is in our thoughts and has our deepest sympathy. We cannot comment further at this time."
