Summary: The surgical facility where Joan Rivers stopped breathing and suffered cardiac arrest is now being investigated by the State of New York to determine what went wrong.
The State of New York has launched an investigation into the facility where Joan Rivers underwent a minor procedure last week that eventually caused her death, CNN reports.
Last Thursday, Rivers, 81, was undergoing a minor elective procedure when she stopped breathing and suffered cardiac arrest. She was transported to a New York hospital shortly thereafter. After a week of being on life support, Rivers died. Her daughter, Melissa Rivers, stated, “She passed away peacefully at 1:17 p.m. surrounded by family and close friends.”
The New York medical examiner’s office “will be investigating the death of Joan Rivers,” according to spokesman James O’Hara. The length of the investigation will be determined by how complicated the case becomes, he added.
Rivers had the procedure performed at Yorkville Endoscopy. When the procedure went awry, she was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital a mile away. Upon arrival, she was listed in critical condition.
Yorkville Endoscopy’s website describes the clinic as an “ambulatory surgical center” and is “approved by the Department of Health.” CNN noted that the description of the facility’s accreditations was not listed.
“Yorkville Endoscopy is a state of the art facility, staffed by highly experienced endoscopists whose mission is to provide safe and compassionate care to patients and their families,” the site says.
The Chicago Tribune added that the facility was opened in 2013, and that to date there have been no complaints about the surgical center.
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