SENECA, S.C. - SCaroNews -- South Carolina — A patient recovering from kidney failure at Prisma Health's Oconee Memorial Hospital was discharged prematurely, despite physical therapy recommendations, nursing concerns, and unresolved symptoms. The hospital's progress board showed only 3/5 recovery goals met, with no discharge plan documented.

The physical therapist advised continued hospitalization. Nurses confirmed the patient hadn't met recovery benchmarks and stated beds were available. Despite this, physicians Dr. Nathaniel Richards and Dr. Stephanie Waldrop pushed for discharge.

Dr. Richards repeatedly suggested discharge while the patient remained symptomatic. Nursing notes recorded blood pressure spikes during his visits. When the patient expressed concern, Richards replied: "I've been here a long time." He offered no reassessment or meaningful response.

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Dr. Waldrop entered the room with a stethoscope but left abruptly after the patient voiced dissatisfaction. As the patient described: "Upon listening to my input, Dr. Stephanie Waldrop stormed out of my room with her stethoscope hanging from her hand. The examination never took place." She later documented a full head-to-toe exam that never occurred — listing findings across multiple systems, which may constitute medical fraud.

Kidney specialist Dr. Helen Johnson-Wall made light of the patient's condition and said he should be ready to go home the next day. Dr. Nathaniel Richards supported the recommendation without asking how the patient felt. The patient's main concerns about dismissiveness were directed at Richards and Waldrop.

Head RNs told the patient he had a right to remain hospitalized based on his condition. Waldrop contradicted this, insisting he had no such right — deepening confusion and eroding trust.

The patient was discharged against his will, despite unresolved symptoms and charted safety concerns.