Clark v. Wexford Health Sources

District Court, S.D. Illinois·Decided November 18, 2024·No. 3:21-cv-01695·Unknown

Opinion

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

RAMON CLARK, ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) vs. ) Case No. 21-cv-1695-RJD ) WEXFORD HEALTH SOURCES, INC. ) and DAVID POOR, M.D., ) ) Defendants. )

ORDER

DALY, Magistrate Judge:

Plaintiff, formerly incarcerated within the Illinois Department of Corrections (“IDOC”), filed this lawsuit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1983 pro se and in forma pauperis. He alleges that from August 2020-December 2021 at Robinson Correctional Center, Dr. David Poor was deliberately indifferent to his chronic cough. Doc. 1. Plaintiff further alleges that Wexford Health Sources, Inc. (“Wexford,” a private company that contracts with IDOC to provide medical care to inmates within the IDOC) delayed off-site treatment for his cough. Plaintiff’s Complaint contains Eighth Amendment claims against Dr. Poor and Wexford for their alleged deliberate indifference to Plaintiff’s serious medical needs. Id. This matter comes before the Court on Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment. Docs. 30-32. Plaintiff did not file a Response. As explained further, Defendants’ Motion is GRANTED. Material Facts Plaintiff received treatment for his “dry” cough from nurses and Dr. Vipin Shah at Robinson Correctional Center from April 2020-August 2020. Doc. 31-3, ¶¶5-22. During that

Page 1 of 14 to treat symptoms of the common cold; (2) Claritin; (3) Guaifenesin; (4) chlorpheniramine maleate (an antihistamine); (5) Augmentin (antibiotic); (6) and Nasocort (nasal spray). Id., ¶¶5, 6, 7, 10,

13, and 14. On June 16, 2020, Plaintiff underwent a chest x-ray; the radiologist reported an “indeterminate 5 mm pulmonary nodule within the left lung.” Doc. 31-4, p. 150. On July 23, 2020, Plaintiff underwent a chest CT scan. Id., pp. 106-07. The report from the radiologist stated that Plaintiff had a “history of pulmonary nodules; chronic dry cough for fourth months” and “no acute CT abnormality of the chest. Previous granulomatous process with calcified granulomata in the left lower lobe and left upper back.” Id., p. 106. Plaintiff also underwent a CT scan of his sinus area; the radiologist noted that he had a “solitary mucous retention cyst or polyp associated with the right posteromedial maxillary sinus.” Id., p. 114-15. Dr. Poor saw Plaintiff on August 11, 2020. Doc. 31-4, p. 38. Dr. Poor noted that Plaintiff was “waiting for his ENT appointment”1 and that his chest CT and x-ray imaging reports were

normal. Doc. 31-3, ¶23. Dr. Poor stated in his declaration that “Plaintiff self-reported that he had an asthma-type inhaler in the past and that he could not remember if it helped, but the cough went away.” Id. Dr. Poor conducted a physical exam and noted that Plaintiff’s lungs were clear. Id. In his Declaration, Dr. Poor provided the following explanation for his plan for Plaintiff’s care: My plan was to hold his ENT referral for now for a trial of albuterol inhaler. If the inhaler was helpful, I noted to consider spirometry. I prescribed Xopenex for six months and to follow-up in two weeks to see if it was helpful and if not then discontinue and pursue ENT referral. As Plaintiff self-reported that his cough went away in the past with an asthma-type inhaler, I wanted to start with a trial of an inhaler prior to the ENT referral. In my experience, the ENT would request a similar medication trial of the asthma inhaler, so I wanted

1 Defendants’ motion does not explain whether Plaintiff was referred for an ENT appointment prior to his first visit with Dr. Poor.

Page 2 of 14 ENT.

Id. Dr. Poor saw Plaintiff again on August 27, 2020 for a keloid on his face, chronic cough, and a pre-operation history for a testicular procedure. Id., ¶24. Plaintiff reported that the albuterol inhaler “helped [his cough] some.” Id. Because the inhaler was “somewhat effective,” Dr. Poor “placed a referral” to Wexford for Plaintiff to undergo a spirometry test. Id. Dr. Poor reviewed Plaintiff’s chart on September 11, 2020 after Plaintiff reported to a nurse that he had not “heard what my head and chest CT showed.” Doc. 31-4, p. 40. Dr. Poor noted that spirometry was previously ordered and “please re-order after COVID lockdown is over, if not already done.”2 Id. He further noted that if the spirometry test indicated that Plaintiff has asthma, the healthcare unit at the prison could treat his asthma. Doc. 31-3, ¶25. However, if the spirometry test was negative for asthma, Dr. Poor “would consider restarting the ENT referral.” Id. Dr. Poor saw Plaintiff on October 5, 2020 for the chronic cough. Doc. 31-4, p. 40. Plaintiff reported that he was not better with the “trial of Xopenex” and that heartburn medications, Nasacort, and antibiotics were not helpful. Doc. 31-3, ¶28. Dr. Poor discontinued the Xopenex and “placed referrals” for Wexford to approve Plaintiff to see an ENT and undergo spirometry. Id. Wexford approved the spirometry and ENT referrals on October 12, 2020. Doc. 31-4, p. 117-18. On or around that date, Plaintiff tested positive for COVID. Doc. 31-4, p. 48. On November 23, 2020, a staff member in the health care unit scheduled Plaintiff for an offsite ENT consultation. Id., p. 58; Doc. 31-3, ¶34. Plaintiff saw Dr. Charly Nguyen (ENT) on December

2 It is not clear from Defendants’ Motion when the COVID lockdown started or ended, or if there were multiple COVID lockdowns during the relevant time period.

Page 3 of 14 evaluation due to abnormal CT scan with granuloma” and noted that Plaintiff had a “benign skin lesion” on his right cheek. Doc. 31-5, p. 21. Dr. Nguyen noted that he “explained to patient if

this lesion [is] getting larger or causing discomfort or if he has any question concern then he needs to talk to his prisoner doctor about coming back to see me.” Id. Plaintiff saw Dr. Poor on December 21, 2020. Doc. 31-3, ¶38. Dr. Poor referred Plaintiff for consultations with a pulmonologist and dermatologist. Id. Wexford approved those referrals two days later. Doc. 31-5, pp. 190-91. On February 23, 2021, a staff member scheduled Plaintiff’s pulmonology consultation and offsite spirometry/pulmonary function test[s]. Doc. 31-4, p. 64. Dr. Poor explained in his affidavit that “[d]uring this time, there were many delays both inside and outside the prison for scheduling offsite appointments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many private doctors’ offices refused to see patients residing in group-living situations such as prisons or nursing homes.” Doc.

31-3, ¶40. Plaintiff saw Dr. Vishesh Paul (pulmonologist) on February 25, 2021. Doc. 31-5, p. 25. Dr. Paul noted that Plaintiff “[h]ad CT chest-as per the note from the physician at the correctional facility there were no acute findings.” Id. Dr. Paul noted “no clear etiology of chronic cough established…will get PFTs pre and post bronchodilator spirometry…recommend CBC with differential to look at eosinophil counts…will also get IgE levels…Flonase for 2 more months….low dose PPI for 2 months trial.” Id., p. 26. On that same date, and after reviewing Dr. Paul’s note, Dr. Poor prescribed Flonase and Prilosec (a “PPI”) for two months. Doc. 31-3, ¶42. He also ordered the recommended blood tests and noted that Plaintiff’s spirometry testing was already scheduled. Id.

Page 4 of 14 within normal limits. Doc. 31-5, p. 203. Dr. Poor saw Plaintiff on March 10, 2021 and noted that the pulmonary functioning test results were normal and that Plaintiff was still taking Prilosec

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