Illinois Hospital Staff Allege Surgeons Left Patients Unattended Under Anesthesia

Whistleblower Lawsuit Exposes Alleged Safety Violations at Rockford Hospital

Three former surgical services leaders at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, filed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging patient safety violations within the hospital’s neurosurgery service line. Sofia Gudino, Tina Peppers, and Cindamon Proffitt claim neurosurgeons endangered patients and hospital administrators retaliated against employees who reported the incidents. The 18-page lawsuit, filed in Winnebago County Circuit Court, accuses hospital leadership of ignoring repeated patient-safety complaints. The plaintiffs held leadership positions responsible for operating room safety, regulatory compliance and surgical operations.

The lawsuit centers on a pair of neurosurgeons and their actions between 2023 and 2025. The trio became aware of what they characterize as repeated and dangerous safety violations within the hospital’s neurosurgery service line. The former employees took their experiences public during a press conference at their attorney’s office in Oak Brook. Proffitt, who served as operating room manager at Saint Anthony from 2018 through 2025, described the emotional toll of coming forward. The plaintiffs filed under the Illinois Whistleblower Act, represented by Jeffrey Law Office.

Patients Allegedly Left Unattended During Surgery

Among the most serious allegations, the complaint claims that on February 3, 2025, two neurosurgeons left a patient under anesthesia on an operating room table for approximately one hour. Another incident allegedly occurred on April 17, 2025, when a neurosurgeon left a patient under anesthesia for approximately 37 minutes to attend a meeting while another neurosurgeon also participated. This left the patient under anesthesia with no surgeon present for a significant amount of time. Peppers explained the neurosurgery group struggled to follow established rules and protocols.

“The patient’s asleep. They can’t advocate for themselves,” said Proffitt.

Proffitt emphasized that the longer a patient stays under anesthesia, the higher the risk for postoperative complications. The plaintiffs allege these incidents resulted in prolonged anesthesia exposure and improper billing practices. According to the complaint, patients paid for this unattended time on their bills, possibly without knowing a surgeon wasn’t in the room for a period. The lawsuit states that patients were fraudulently and unethically overcharged for operating room time, as facilities charge by the minute during procedures.

Surgeon Allegedly Fell Asleep During Procedure

The lawsuit also alleges that on October 12, 2023, a neurosurgeon was observed falling asleep against the surgical microscope by operating room staff during a procedure. According to the complaint, Peppers warned the hospital’s chief medical officer before the operation that proceeding would be dangerous. She cited that the surgeon had worked late the previous night and had already completed a full day of surgeries. Nevertheless, the complaint alleges, the surgery was allowed to proceed despite the warning from experienced surgical leadership.

The plaintiffs reported their concerns through multiple channels. These included incident reports, the hospital’s Integrity Line and direct communications with hospital leaders. The lawsuit alleges that hospital leaders failed to investigate the reports or take corrective action. Despite repeated reports, no investigations were initiated, no corrective actions taken, and the unsafe behavior continued, according to the complaint. The former employees claim they sought to ensure patient outcomes remained the priority throughout their tenure.

Additional Safety Violations Alleged

Beyond the specific incidents involving unattended patients, the complaint outlines other alleged safety concerns within the neurosurgery service line. These reported concerns included breaches of sterile technique, incomplete surgical counts, use of unapproved medical equipment and intimidation of staff who questioned practices. The plaintiffs maintained that the hospital prioritized profit and efficiency over patients’ health and safety. Gudino, a former operating room manager, emphasized that every measure they took aimed to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

“It’s been really emotional. It still is,” described Proffitt. “It’s just hard. You want to do the right thing for the patients.”

The lawsuit details how the plaintiffs worked to address these safety violations through proper channels before ultimately deciding to file legal action. Peppers noted that efficiency remains important in surgical settings, but patient safety must always come first. The trio maintained that their professional responsibility required them to report dangerous conditions that could harm vulnerable patients.

Hospital Administrators Allegedly Retaliated Against Staff

The plaintiffs claim they faced retaliation after raising safety concerns with hospital leadership. The alleged retaliation included exclusion from meetings, punitive assignments and harassment. According to the lawsuit, the work environment became so hostile that the three women were effectively forced to resign in April and May 2025. The complaint characterizes this as constructive discharge resulting from systematic retaliation for protected whistleblower activity. The former employees maintain that their concerns centered on legitimate patient safety issues rather than personal grievances.

The plaintiffs seek back pay, lost wages, compensatory damages, attorney fees and other relief through their legal action. Their lawsuit aims to hold the hospital accountable for allegedly ignoring safety concerns and punishing employees who fulfilled their professional duty to report violations. The case highlights tensions between healthcare workers who identify safety issues and administrators who may face pressure to maintain operational efficiency. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center told Becker’s Healthcare the organization had “no comment to offer at this time” regarding the lawsuit.

Questions Raised About Healthcare Worker Protection

The allegations raise broader questions about hospital accountability and surgical oversight. They also spotlight the protection of healthcare workers who report safety concerns. The case demonstrates the potential consequences when surgical staff members believe their warnings go unheeded by hospital administrators. Whistleblower protections exist to encourage healthcare workers to report dangerous conditions without fear of losing their jobs. The three former leaders maintained they exhausted internal reporting mechanisms before pursuing legal action against their former employer.

The lawsuit emphasizes the vulnerability of patients under anesthesia who cannot monitor their own care or advocate for themselves during surgery. Medical billing practices that charge patients by the minute raise ethical questions when surgeons allegedly leave operating rooms for extended periods. The complaint suggests a pattern of behavior rather than isolated incidents, alleging that unsafe practices continued despite multiple reports from experienced surgical leadership. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center now faces legal scrutiny over its handling of these serious patient safety allegations and treatment of employees who reported concerns.