Authorities on Monday released the cause of death for the patient who died hours after she was found on the roof of Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan.
An autopsy determined Tiffany Adolphus, 28, of Waukegan, died from hypothermia as a result of cold exposure, according to the Lake County Coroner’s Office. Adolphus was admitted to the hospital at around 4 a.m. Wednesday morning for unspecified medical issues. She was found unresponsive on the roof of the hospital at around 8:45 a.m. and subsequently taken to the hospital’s emergency department, the coroner stated.
Adolphus was pronounced dead roughly 14 hours later – at 11:03 p.m. According to the coroner’s office, she was determined to be missing from her room at around 2 a.m. on Thursday.
As a result of the “unusual circumstances” surrounding the incident, Waukegan police launched an investigation into what occurred. It remained unclear how Adolphus gained access to the rooftop as of Monday.
At a press conference, Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek explained she previously voiced concerns about what she calls a lack of care and safety measures at the facility.
In February of 2024, Vista Medical Center East had its designation as a trauma center revoked by state officials for not having appropriate blood supply and clinical staff available for patients, she stated.
Banek said, most recently, the hospital furloughed 69 employees, including sitters – staff members who sit and monitor patients when they are most vulnerable.
“Accidental loss of life because of lack of appropriate basic safety measures cannot happen again,” she stated. “More delays and excuses puts Vista patients at risk. It is past time for all stakeholders to step up and find solutions that ensure safe, quality health care at Vista Medical Center.”
NBC Chicago reached out to the parent company of Vista Health System, but had yet to hear back as of Monday afternoon.
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