COVID-19 patient whose family sued to keep him on ventilator dies after transfer from Mercy Hospital

Scott Quiner, a COVID-19 patient from Buffalo, Minnesota, whose wife sued Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids to keep him on a ventilator, died Saturday morning at a Texas hospital, the family’s attorney confirmed.

The 55-year-old was diagnosed with COVID-19 last fall and was first hospitalized in Waconia in October. His wife, Anne, told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS he was then transferred to Mercy Hospital in November and was put on a ventilator.

Anne Quiner filed a lawsuit earlier this month claiming Mercy Hospital staff said they planned to take her husband off the ventilator, a decision she did not agree with. A judge granted a restraining order telling the hospital it must keep him on the ventilator.

Shortly after that ruling, Scott Quiner was transferred to a hospital in Houston, where he later died. Marjorie Holsten, the family’s attorney, said Scott Quiner was on a ventilator at the time.

"On behalf of the family of Scott Quiner, I would like to thank the public for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time," Holsten said in a statement. "The family now requests privacy while they grieve the loss of their beloved husband and father."

The family dropped litigation against Mercy Hospital last week after Scott Quiner’s transfer, court records show.

Allina Health, which operates Mercy Hospital, issued the following statement:

"We are saddened to hear about the passing of Scott Quiner and our deepest condolences go out to family, friends and loved ones. His passing marks yet another very sad moment as collectively we continue to face the devastating effects of the pandemic."