The 30-year old actress from “Meet the Parents” died of pneumonia after three hospitals missed the diagnosis
“Nicole DeHuff, who played Teri Polo’s sister in the hilarious 2000 movie, checked into three Los Angeles hospitals, but only when her problems became inoperable did doctors realize what was wrong with her. The actress’ mother Patsie says, ‘By the time she reached the third hospital, it was too late. She was unconscious.’ The grieving mother reveals her daughter was rushed to hospital on February 12 but was sent home by medics and told to take painkiller Tylenol. Patsie DeHuff recalls, ‘The next day my daughter was worse.’ Again, the actress went to hospital, but this time medics prescribed antibiotics for bronchitis. Two days later, paramedics rushed to her home after she collapsed, gasping for breath. The tragic actress died on February 16.”

Again the reporting is scarce and sketchy. “When her problems became inoperable did doctors realize what was wrong with her.” Not sure what that means, since pnuemonia isn’t normally treated by surgery.

From what I gather, she was rushed to the hospital on February 12th, and sent home – probably with a diagnosis of bronchitis to be treated conservatively.

The next day, she was worse. This time, she was given antibiotics and sent home. Two days later, she was again rushed to the hospital and tragically died the next day on February 16th.

Possibilities include inappropriately-treated bacterial pneumonia, a pulmonary embolus that was missed, or reactive-airways disease (i.e. asthma) that was exacerbated.