Montefiore Medical Center problems - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Montefiore Medical Center problems

In just nine months, Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx has experienced two major problems.

One patient never left the hospital. She died May 23 during surgery trying to donate a kidney to her ailing brother.

The other suffered severe brain damage after a routine hernia procedure last August. Patricia Imperati is living in a nursing home, unable to communicate. Her family says Montefiore is directly responsible.

Montefiore rebutted the family's accusations: "While we empathize with the patient and family, we strongly dispute their version of the events in this case."

But, in another case, where Yolanda Medina died after her aorta was perforated trying to donate her kidney to her brother, the family says Montefiore took immediate action.

Roberto Medina never got his sister's kidney. He says he was pushed back down the donor list despite promises from Montefiore that it would expedite his process.

In a statement, the hospital said: "This is heartbreaking situation in so many ways, and our hearts are with the patient's family during this difficult time… our transplantation department is among the very best in the country and in 40 years we have never experienced a loss such as this."