The Medical Records
On June 25, 2025, I requested a complete copy of my medical records from SSM Health for the May 16, 2025 procedure. SSM Health, through their records vendor MRO, sent me 51 pages. Below are the relevant excerpts, redacted for privacy. The clinical complication that SSM Health is now refusing to credit me for is documented in writing — by the treating gastroenterologist, by the responding pulmonologist, by the radiologist, and by the attending nurse — in SSM Health's own electronic medical record.
Pre-procedure assessment
Before the procedure, I was assessed as a normal, healthy patient with no significant comorbidities.
"ASA Grade Assessment: I — A normal, healthy patient."
History & Physical, electronically signed by Richard M. Rosenberg, MD (Gastroenterology), 5/16/2025 7:51 AM.
Chest X-ray ordered after the aspiration
When something went wrong, a portable chest X-ray was ordered. The radiologist saw the device on the scan.
"Small electronic device superimposed over the distal aspect of the left main bronchus."
XR Chest 1VW Portable, signed by Joseph Introcaso, MD (Radiology), 5/16/2025 8:45 AM.
Pulmonologist's emergency operative report
A pulmonologist was called in. His preoperative diagnosis was "Aspiration of foreign object." He documented the size and location of the device.
"Large metallic and plastic foreign object in the left mainstem bronchus at the entrance of the left lower lobe bronchus."
Operative Report, electronically signed by Yasir Hatahet, MD (Pulmonary Disease), 5/16/2025 10:07 AM.
Size of the object
The object was too large to remove through the bronchoscope's working channel. The instrument itself had to be removed as a unit, with the capsule clamped in forceps.
"The object was larger than the suction channel in the bronchoscope, so the whole instrument was removed en toto."
Operative Report, Yasir Hatahet, MD (Pulmonary Disease), 5/16/2025.
Vital event during the rescue
My blood pressure dropped during the rescue procedure. The attending nurse documented this in real time.
"BP low, anesthesia aware, Dr. Mei was in the room with the patient. Will continue to observe."
OR Nursing note, signed by Rachel Tisdale, RN, 5/16/2025 9:39 AM.
The treating gastroenterologist's own admission
Dr. Rosenberg himself documented the complication in his own procedure note, under "Complications."
"Failed deployment of first capsule with subsequent aspiration during attempt to retrieve from the hypopharynx, retrieved by bronchoscope with forceps during a separately documented procedure."
EGD Procedure Report, electronically signed by Richard M. Rosenberg, MD (Gastroenterology).
I obtained these records from SSM Health under federal and Wisconsin patient access law. They are mine to read, mine to share, and the foundation of every factual claim on this site. SSM Health's own clinicians documented exactly what happened. SSM Health's billing department has had this same record available to them since the day of the procedure. They have, to date, adjusted my bill by $50.