In a heart-wrenching turn of events, disturbing bodycam footage has emerged, shedding light on the tragic final moments of Jean DesCamps, a 26-year-old Oregonian who fell victim to a drug overdose. This shocking incident, which unfolded at Providence Milwaukie Hospital, has raised serious questions about the handling of patients in dire need of care.
On a fateful day in December, Jean DesCamps was found in a deplorable state, covered in filth and moving lethargically aboard Portland’s TriMet MAX train. His cries for help led him to the doors of Providence Milwaukie Hospital, where he hoped to find solace from his pain and despair. Little did he know that his journey would take an unimaginable turn.
Upon arrival at the hospital, DesCamps received a cursory shower and antibiotics to combat infections that had plagued him. He was also administered a modest dose of Narcan to counteract the effects of mild opioid intoxication. However, what’s alarming is that the hospital failed to order a toxicology report or drug screening for DesCamps, despite staff labeling him a “chronic problem.”
Tragedy struck when a hospital security guard, finding DesCamps “difficult” and unwilling to leave, summoned the police to remove him from the emergency department. Responding officers were greeted by a heartbreaking sight – DesCamps, slumped in a chair, with scabs and sores marring his legs, a stark reminder of his torment.
One can only shudder at the words of an emergency department physician who, rather than providing the care that DesCamps so desperately needed, deemed him to be “playing possum.” Shockingly, the physician suggested that the officers should abandon him at a bus stop, an action that would haunt the conscience of anyone witnessing this tragic episode.
As DesCamps’ condition worsened, an officer voiced concerns about the potential consequences, only to be met with disbelief from the physician, who insisted that DesCamps was faking his symptoms. Even though DesCamps had outstanding warrants for his arrest, the Clackamas County Jail refused to accept him due to his inability to walk or care for himself.
Heartbreaking bodycam footage shows the officers gently placing DesCamps in a wheelchair, questioning his well-being as they loaded him into a patrol car. Their anguish is palpable, as they grapple with the realization that his life hangs in the balance.
Desperate to save him, the officers decided to transport DesCamps to another facility, Unity Behavioral Medical Center in Portland, emphasizing the urgency of his condition. But as they awaited the facility’s staff to retrieve him, a chilling moment unfolded – an officer questioned whether DesCamps was still breathing. When they couldn’t confirm a pulse, they immediately initiated CPR, a desperate bid to rescue a life teetering on the brink.
The State Medical Examiner’s Office ultimately concluded that DesCamps had succumbed to a drug overdose, compounded by underlying health issues. The police officers were cleared of any wrongdoing in his tragic demise, as it became evident that Providence Hospital had effectively washed their hands of his care.
The heart-wrenching question lingers: Could more have been done to save Jean DesCamps? Was his life reduced to that of just another statistic? These haunting questions serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform in our healthcare system.
Providence Milwaukie Hospital now finds itself in a precarious position, with federal funding hanging in the balance. The Oregon Health Authority has issued an “immediate jeopardy notice,” prompting the hospital to reevaluate its procedures for caring for and discharging patients.
As the investigation unfolds and Jean DesCamps’ family seeks answers, one thing is abundantly clear – this tragic incident serves as a somber wake-up call, underscoring the vital importance of compassionate care and responsible decision-making in the face of human suffering.
The Post has reached out to DesCamps’ family attorney, Amity Girt, for comment. Providence Hospital, too, has acknowledged the gravity of the situation, pledging to strengthen its relationship with first responders and vowing to make amends for their shortcomings.
In this solemn chapter of Oregon’s healthcare history, the hope is that lessons will be learned, and change will be instigated, ensuring that no one else faces a fate as cruel and senseless as Jean DesCamps.
