Terri Schiavo Hospitalized; Follow Up.

Husband of disabled Pinellas County woman withholding information, Hospital caught in the middle

Clearwater, FL -- August, 2003 -- On Wednesday, August 13th, Terri Schiavo was moved from a Hospice facility in Pinellas County to Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida and admitted through the hospitals Emergency Room. Ms. Schiavo was admitted due to an emergency medical crisis.

A 1996 court order requires Ms. Schiavos husband, Michael, to notify her parents upon any change in her medical condition. So far, Mr. Schiavo is not complying. He has instructed the hospital not to discuss Terris condition with her parents. He also attempted to bar Ms. Schiavos brother and sister from seeing her. As of Saturday evening, all of Ms. Schiavos family members have been able to see her.

Attorney George Felos, who represents Michael Schiavo, told local media that he had informed Terris family of her condition. However, Mr Felos neglected to state that it was only after attorney Pat Anderson, who represents Bob and Mary Schindler, telephoned him nearly 24 hours after Terri had been moved.

A spokesperson at Morton Plants risk management department stated that she was aware of the court order but that the hospital had no authority to enforce it. With the new HIPPA laws, which greatly restrict the release of patient information, the hospital is caught in the middle.

As of Sunday, August 17, 2003, Terri Schiavos immediate family still had no word of their daughters diagnosis.

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