NOVI, Mich. (WXYZ) — Novi police say they are investigating a death and multiple medical illnesses following recent dialysis treatments.
According to Novi police, they were responding to a report of a possible missing 72-year-old woman last Friday when they found the woman deceased inside her vehicle. She had not come home following her appointment at the DaVita Dialysis Center at 27150 Providence Parkway in Novi, police say.
Watch Ruta Ulcinaite's video report below:
Watch Kiara Hay's video report below:
Her cause of death still being investigated, but no foul play is suspected.
Police say that during the investigation, they discovered that Henry Ford Providence Novi Hospital was treating several patients who had also recently received treatment at the Novi DaVita Dialysis Center.
Four patients are being treated at the hospital, with one in the intensive care unit. According to police, a fifth patient who was treated at a DaVita Southfield location was also hospitalized.
7 News Detroit reached out to police after a viewer called the newsroom asking us to get answers. Shortly after, the police department issued a press release regarding the investigation.
Ruta Ulcinaite talks with a patient who was hospitalized after treatment below:
Investigators say they have not yet established a connection between the cases and treatment received at DaVita Dialysis.
As a precaution, police say the Novi DaVita Dialysis Center is currently closed. The Oakland County Health Division says the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is investigating.
Officials with LARA, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, are also investigating, releasing the following statement: "LARA, MDHHS, and local health officials are working collaboratively to help ensure the health and safety of patients at this facility."
State vehicles were in the parking lot of the dialysis center Wednesday.
Megan Lee speaks with another patient who was impacted below:
'It scared me': Man fears hospitalization could delay his kidney transplant
7 News Detroit spoke with Smiley Rammaha, one of the people hospitalized. The frightening experience could also jeopardize his kidney transplant eligibility.
Rammaha goes to treatment at the DaVita Dialysis Center multiple times a week. He was there on Friday just like any other day, when after treatment, he says he immediately felt like something was wrong.
“But when I left there, I got in the car, I start feeling lightheaded. I said ‘you know what, it’ll go away,’” Rammaha said.
Rammaha’s lightheadedness didn’t go away last week after his dialysis treatment. In fact, he says it progressively got worse as he returned to his food truck for another day of work after his appointment.
He says he was confused and not himself, so he went home for the day. And then it hit him.
“I tried to stand up. I couldn’t, so I crawled up half a flight of stairs to the foyer and I called my wife to please ask her to call 911,” Rammaha said.
He was hospitalized for several days and that’s when police arrived to question him. He was then notified about the multiple other hospitalizations and that one woman died the same day he was hospitalized after receiving treatment.
“With everything I’m going through, it scared me,” Rammaha said.
Rammaha says he was doing so well before his hospitalization and now, the trip to the emergency room could delay him getting the kidney transplant he desperately needs to finally get off of dialysis.
“Probably take me off the list for a while. The kidney transplant, I’ve been waiting for a transplant for 20 years,” he said. “I’m OK on the outside — not on the inside.”
Patient feels left in the dark, thankful she missed her appointment
Lalita Toliver-Clegg, another patient at the facility, missed her Friday appointment.
“I missed Friday and Friday, all of this occurred. By the grace of God, I missed my appointment Friday,” she said.
Toliver-Clegg has been receiving her life-saving treatments at the facility three days a week.
“This is a life and death thing for me. This is not something simple. I rely on dialysis to continue to be here,” Toliver-Clegg said. “It’s scary. It’s scary. I’m concerned.”
Toliver-Clegg feels she was not properly informed about the issue.
“I feel like I have been in the dark because I asked why I was going to another facility Tuesday and they told me because of the water issue,” Toliver-Clegg said. “To be closed mouth about something this big, it’s scary and it doesn’t make me feel safe coming here.”
Toliver-Clegg says she will not be going back to the facility.
Ask Dr. Nandi: What to know about dialysis amid the ongoing investigation
Brianna Gonzalez works at a dental office next door and was surprised to see the dialysis center not busy.
“I was watching people come in and out. And then earlier this week, I noticed there wasn’t as many cars and I was like it’s kind of weird that they’re not busy. So yeah, it’s a total shock,” Gonzalez said.
DaVita issued the following statement to 7 News Detroit on Wednesday afternoon:
“We are aware of the incident and out of respect for patient privacy, we are unable to comment on its specifics. Our unwavering focus remains on delivering exceptional care for our patients, many of which are medically vulnerable with complex care needs. We are proud to be part of the Novi community and care for our patients with the same intensity and commitment we bring to our teams.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Novi Police Department at 248-348-7100.
