Iowa Woman’s Routine Hernia Repair Ends in Death After Alleged Nurse Neglect

A 46-year-old Iowa woman, Laura Belt, died from complications after a routine hernia repair—bowel perforation leading to sepsis. Her family accuses surgeon Dr. Edwin Wehling and two nurses of medical malpractice for allegedly dismissing Belt’s painful symptoms and failing to manage the infection; the Iowa Board of Medicine has charged Wehling with professional incompetency. A lawsuit against Decatur County Hospital and the staff is underway, with a trial set for Aug. 23.