Unvaccinated 55-year-old Minnesota man Scott Quiner succumbed to Covid-19 at a Texas hospital after an extended battle that raised questions about who has the authority to make life-or-death decisions for patients who cannot speak for themselves.
On Saturday morning, Minnesota man Scott Quiner passed away after his family took him to a Texas hospital as they attempted to keep him on a ventilator, according to Marjorie Holsten, his attorney. “We’re absolutely devastated,” Ms Holsten expressed to The AP and other media outlets.
Mr. Quiner became ill with Covid-19 in October. A transportation company operations manager, he had not received vaccinations. His condition became so serious that court records indicate he placed on a ventilator after admitted to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Minnesota (just north of Minneapolis) in November; there, he remained for weeks on the machine.
On January 11th, hospital officials informed Mr. Quiner’s wife Anne that they would be taking him off the ventilator within two days despite her objections. Mercy Hospital did not specify in court documents why it decided to take Mr. Quiner off the ventilator, and Ms. Quiner did not respond to messages seeking comment.
Scott Quiner Died During Treatment
On Saturday morning, Scott Quiner passed away at 55 in a Texas hospital, his family’s attorney confirmed to FOX 9. Two weeks earlier, his family went to court seeking a restraining order that would prevent Allina Health from turning off his ventilator in Minnesota.
“On behalf of the family, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks for all the love and support they have showered with from the community,” Marjorie Holsten, Quiner family attorney told FOX 9 on behalf of Annie and the children as they grieve the loss of Scott – a truly wonderful husband and father,” Marjorie Holsten noted. “Thanks again from all of us.”
Mr. Quiner became ill with Covid-19 in October. A transportation company operations manager, he had not received vaccinations. His condition became so serious that court records indicate he placed on a ventilator after admitted to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Minnesota (just north of Minneapolis) in November; there, he remained for weeks on the machine.
On January 11th, hospital officials informed Mr. Quiner’s wife Anne that they would be taking him off the ventilator within two days despite her objections. Mercy Hospital did not specify in court documents why it decided to take Mr. Quiner off the ventilator, and Ms. Quiner did not respond to messages seeking comment.
His oxygen levels quickly dropped below critical levels and necessitated deep sedation, a breathing tube, and ventilator for treatment.
Scott’s wife Anne Quiner claimed Allina threatened to disconnect the ventilator two weeks ago, which is when she decided to take legal action.
Anne had power of attorney over Scott’s healthcare decisions, so she retained lawyer Marjorie Holsten to prevent Allina from turning off the ventilator.
The Quiners had made it known in public and on social media that Allina would not attempt to treat Scott with certain drugs or take other extraordinary measures that might save his life.
When they informed by medical personnel that Scott only had a couple more days on the ventilator, Holsten took action by going straight to court and obtaining a restraining order; which eventually signed by the judge last Thursday.
Last weekend, Scott taken on a medical flight to an unknown hospital in Texas; unfortunately, he passed away the following weekend. Allina Health issued the following statement to FOX 9 regarding Scott Quiner’s passing.
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