Marymount Medical Center officials released a statement Friday indicating snake bite patient Linda Faye Long, who died from her injuries last year, received appropriate treatment at the hospital. They have yet to be served with notice of a lawsuit claiming otherwise.

Long was brought to Marymount’s emergency room on Nov. 5, 2006 for treatment of a rattlesnake bite she reportedly received while participating in a snake-handling ceremony at East London Holiness Church.

“While Marymount Medical Center is precluded by law to disclose Ms. Long’s protected health information, in response to statements made by the media we can reveal that Ms. Long was triaged, placed in a room and attended to by a physician immediately upon her arrival,” Marymount’s statement said.

“In addition, initiation of the transfer request to a higher level of care to the University of Kentucky Medical Center was appropriate and done in a timely manner in accordance with the law and the hospital’s policies,” the statement said.

In the lawsuit, filed Nov. 1 in Laurel Circuit Court against Marymount, Dr. Edward Wilson and nurse Faith Howard, the plaintiffs, Gary Wayne Long, administrix Angela Shackleford and the estate of Linda Long are seeking unspecified damages for mental and physical pain Linda Long suffered, along with her loss of life, loss of enjoyment of the last days of her life and loss of income. Gary Long is asking for compensation for the loss of society, companionship and services of his wife.

The plaintiffs contend that when Linda Long was brought to the hospital’s emergency room, around 7:46 p.m., treatment that could have saved her life was delayed because Howard engaged Linda Long and her family in a lengthy and time-consuming series of questions that exceeded those necessary to treat her.

“After finally being transported into the hospital by Howard at 8:09 p.m., Linda Long continued to complain of her inability to breath and requested oxygen,” the suit stated. “A portable, oscillating, fan was given to her by Howard and other personnel of Marymount as they snickered and made derogatory comments to other hospital personnel and the Long family about the religious beliefs and circumstances under which Linda Long was bitten by the snake,” the suit stated.

The plaintiffs also claim they were initially told a helicopter was available to transport Long to the University of the Kentucky Medical Center. However, the plaintiffs contend PHI was not contacted until 8:28, almost 45 minutes after Linda Long arrived at Marymount.

The suit also alleges the helicopter crew requested Wilson intubate Linda Long prior to transporting her, but Wilson told them it was not necessary. Linda Long reportedly stop breathing en route to UK and efforts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful.

“Marymount failed to adhere to the minimum recognized standard of care for the hospital,” the suit stated. “Further, Marymount by and through its agents, representatives and employees, included but not limited to Wilson and Howard, tortuously discriminated against Linda Long based upon her religious beliefs, resulting in undue, intentional, reprehensible infliction of emotional pain and humiliation during the last hours of Linda Long’s life.”

Marymount officials stated they will provide updates as more information becomes available.

“Marymount Medical Center is a Catholic healthcare facility with core values based on reverence, integrity, compassion and excellence,” Marymount officials stated. “We strive to provide quality care to every patient regardless of the circumstances leading to the need for care.”