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California – General Surgery – Five Vulvar Surgeries And Breast Tattoo Removals Conducted For Cosmetic Alteration
In December 2008, a 30-year-old female presented to a general surgeon for removal of breast tattoos. A 12/1/2008 document entitled “comprehensive examination” does not include an adequate history of the present illness, obstetrical history, gynecological history, or past surgical history. The patient presented to the general surgeon for three tattoo removal visits. The last of those presentations was on 1/27/2009.
On 1/27/2009, at her visit with the general surgeon, the patient made complaints related to the fullness and asymmetry in the area above the pudendal cleft of her left vulva as well as a pudendal flap and excessive skin. At this time, the patient had a history of eight vaginal deliveries.
The patient returned one day later on 1/28/2009 to have the first of what would ultimately be five vulvar surgeries to remove the areas identified above. The surgery was documented with an operative note and included a surgical consent. The surgery did not include a complete history and physical. No record of the patient’s last menstrual cycle, method of contraception, or whether the general surgeon performed a pregnancy test preoperatively, was documented. There was no documentation of a discussion related to the known risks of scarring and dyspareunia.
Following the first surgery, the general surgery referred to the patient’s skin as “mucosal skin tags” and he believed them to be from trauma “from multiple deliveries.”
On 2/24/2009, a second surgery was performed. The surgery was documented with an operative note and included a surgical consent. The surgery did not include a complete history and physical. No record of the patient’s last menstrual cycle, method of contraception, or whether the general surgeon performed a pregnancy test preoperatively, was documented. There was no discussion related to the function of the vulva. The surgery appeared to be for cosmetic reasons alone. There was no documentation of a discussion related to the known risks of scarring and dyspareunia.
Three additional surgeries were performed on 4/2/2010, 5/6/2011, and 5/17/2011. Like the two before, each was documented with an operative note and included a surgical consent. The surgery did not include a complete history and physical. No record of the patient’s last menstrual cycle method of contraception, or whether the general surgeon performed a pregnancy test preoperatively was documented. There was no discussion related to the function of the vulva. The surgery appeared to be for cosmetic reasons alone. There was no documentation of a discussion related to the known risks of scarring and dyspareunia.
During each of the five surgeries, the general surgeon removed varying portions of the patient’s labia minora, labia majora, and clitoral hood. The end result was complete removal of the labia minora and almost complete removal of the clitoral hood.
As a result of the multiple procedures, the patient was left with excessive scar tissue and complete exposure of the clitoris. This led to vulvar pain, dryness, bleeding, inability to have sexual intercourse, difficulty urinating, and urine that did not flow in a continuous stream. The patient presented to a plastic surgeon and gynecologist for repair.
The Board judged the general surgeon’s conduct as having fallen below the standard of care given the performance of procedures with disregard of normal anatomy and physiology, disregard of the scar tissue that would form around the introitus and that would leave the clitoris exposed with complete removal of the clitoral hood, and failure to refer the patient to a specialist.
The Board issued a public reprimand with the stipulation to complete at least 20 hours of continuing medical education in correcting areas of deficiency.
State: California
Date: November 2016
Specialty: General Surgery, Gynecology, Plastic Surgery
Symptom: N/A
Diagnosis: N/A
Medical Error: Procedural error, Failure to examine or evaluate patient properly, Referral failure to hospital or specialist, Improper treatment
Significant Outcome: Permanent Loss Of Functional Status Or Organ
Case Rating: 4
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
California – Family Practice – Patient With Multiple Psychiatric Conditions And A Low Platelet Count Placed On Enbrel For Rheumatoid Arthritis
On 11/17/2008, a family practitioner first began treating the patient. The family practitioner treated the patient for anxiety, panic disorder, neuropathic pain from an old left thigh stab wound, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, chronic insomnia, obesity, and hypothyroidism.
On 7/18/2013, the patient was seen in an emergency department. The laboratory results from that visit indicated that the patient had a very low platelet count of 63,000 versus a normal platelet count of 140,000 to 150,000. The laboratory results also stated that the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was found to be 106.6. The MCV is the average volume of red cells in a specimen.
On 7/19/2013, the patient was treated by the family practitioner. The medical notes for that visit state that the patient “returns for follow up on an ER visit yesterday for abdominal pain.” The notes also state, “Labs reveal macrocytic RBC indices.”
Red blood cell (RBC) indices are part of the complete blood count (CBC) test. The indices also include MCV, hemoglobin amount per red blood cell (MCH), and the amount of hemoglobin relative to the size of the cell (hemoglobin concentration) per red blood cell (MCHC).
The MCV, MCH, and MCHC were all recorded in the patient’s laboratory results from the 7/18/2013 emergency department visit.
On 8/9/2013, the patient commenced treatment for rheumatoid arthritis by using the drug Enbrel, which was prescribed by the family practitioner, even though Enbrel can cause a low platelet count and even though the family practitioner knew or should have known that as of 7/19/2013, the patient’s platelet count was low.
On 10/8/2013, the patient informed the family practitioner that another clinic treating the patient noted that the patient’s platelet count was dropping and advised the patient to go directly to the hospital for a blood draw. The family practitioner then discontinued the patient’s use of Enbrel, writing, “discussed fact that thrombocytopenia is a rare but recognized adverse side effect of Enbrel treatment.”
Additionally, any patient treated with Enbrel should have a Tuberculosis (TB) skin test prior to commencing therapy in order to confirm the absence of disease.
Contrary to standards, the family practitioner provided no documentation for the required pretreatment negative tuberculin skin test prior to the commencement of treatment with Enbrel. In fact, not until 9/17/2014, more than one month after treatment with Enbrel commenced, was a negative TB skin test noted in the patient’s medical record.
On 10/18/2011, the family practitioner noted in the patient’s medical records that the patient was positive for hepatitis C. Yet, the family practitioner never referred the patient to a liver specialist for hepatitis C.
The family practitioner allowed the patient to dictate the treatment by prescribing, on multiple occasions, medications that the patient had requested.
On 7/8/2009, the family practitioner prescribed clonidine for the patient for insomnia. Clonidine is a drug normally used to treat hypertension, but it has been effectively used in low doses to treat insomnia in children on ADHD medications. At that time, the patient’s blood pressure was charted as 110/60.
On 7/15/2009, the family practitioner discontinued the patient’s use of clonidine when the patient reported that the medicine was not effective for sleep and that it caused dizziness. On that same date, the patient’s blood pressure was charted as 80/60.
Between 7/8/2009 and 7/15/2009, the patient was using the following medications with the family practitioner’s knowledge: fluoxetine, diphenhydramine, clonidine, and olanzapine.
On 8/16/2011, the family practitioner prescribed Saphris for the patient for insomnia, even though insomnia is a known side effect of Saphris. By 9/9/2011, the patient stopped taking Saphris after claiming to have developed a tolerance for the medication.
The Board judged the family practitioner’s conduct as having fallen below the standard of care for multiple patients given failure to record a physical exam in the progress notes, failure to revise and update assessments or plans for those patients, and failure to include a problem list or medication list in his progress notes.
The family practitioner was placed on probation for 5 years with the stipulations of completing 40 hours annually of continuing medical education in the areas of deficient practice, a prescribing practices course at the Physician Assessment and Clinical Education Program, a medical record keeping course, an ethics course, a clinical training program equivalent to the Physician Assessment and Clinical Education Program, and undergo clinical practice monitoring.
State: California
Date: November 2016
Specialty: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry
Symptom: Psychiatric Symptoms, Dizziness
Diagnosis: Drug Overdose, Side Effects, or Withdrawal, Psychiatric Disorder
Medical Error: Improper medication management
Significant Outcome: N/A
Case Rating: 2
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
California – Family Practice – Elevated Glucose Levels In A Patient On Aripiprazole, Asenapine, Quetiapine, And Olanzapine
On 11/6/2007, a family practitioner first began treating a patient and continued treating the patient until at least 6/9/2014.
On 12/21/2009, the family practitioner noted in the patient’s medical records that the patient was diabetic, writing “Lab-Spot glucose 242.” A level of 200 mg/dL or higher often means one has diabetes.
On 1/11/2010, the next exam noted in the patient’s records, the family practitioner noted a refill was needed for glipizide. However, there is no record that the patient was ever prescribed glipizide prior to this date.
During the course of treatment from the family practitioner, the patient was also prescribed aripiprazole, quetiapine, asenapine, and olanzapine for bipolar disorder. Aripiprazole, asenapine, and olanzapine can cause or worsen diabetes. According to medical notes, on 6/13/2011, the family practitioner was treating the patient with both aripiprazole and olanzapine as well as glipizide, which was to control diabetes.
On 7/11/2011, the patient’s blood sugars were noted to be in the 400 range, while 100 to 110 is considered to be the normal range for blood sugars in an individual. The family practitioner started the patient on insulin glargine to address diabetes on a daily basis.
In an interview that occurred on 10/1/2015, the family practitioner admitted that the family practitioner had no idea if the patient was taking the prescribed medications while under his care.
The Board judged the family practitioner’s conduct as having fallen below the standard of care for multiple patients given failure to record a physical exam in the progress notes, failure to revise and update assessments or plans for those patients, and failure to include a problem list or medication list in his progress notes. In addition, the family practitioner’s repeated, excessive and/or inappropriate prescribing of large doses of multiple strong antipsychotic medication and antidepressants to the patient with no regard or concern for drug interactions constituted a lack of knowledge and/or unprofessional conduct.
The family practitioner was placed on probation for 5 years with the stipulations of completing 40 hours annually of continuing medical education in the areas of deficient practice, a prescribing practices course at the Physician Assessment and Clinical Education Program, a medical record keeping course, an ethics course, a clinical training program equivalent to the Physician Assessment and Clinical Education Program, and undergo clinical practice monitoring.
State: California
Date: November 2016
Specialty: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry
Symptom: N/A
Diagnosis: Diabetes, Psychiatric Disorder
Medical Error: Improper medication management, Lack of proper documentation
Significant Outcome: N/A
Case Rating: 2
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
California – Family Medicine – Chest Pain, Elevated LDL, Elevated C-Reactive Protein, And Abnormal Electrocardiogram
On 9/17/2012, a 57-year-old male and long-time patient of a family practitioner presented to the family practitioner with complaints of chest pain and tightness and shortness of breath while exercising on a treadmill. The family practitioner ordered an electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, and laboratory studies. The patient’s blood pressure at this visit was 150/110. The patient’s laboratory tests indicated an LDL of 162 and significantly elevated cardio C-reactive protein. The patient’s electrocardiogram revealed wave changes consistent with an anterior infarct and as well as anterolateral ischemia. The family practitioner did not advise the patient to modify his lifestyle, did not initiate anti-hypertension medications or medications for elevated lipids, and did not order re-evaluation of the patient’s blood pressure or lipid levels. The family practitioner failed to properly address the patient’s complaints of chest pain and tightness, his multiple cardiac risk factors, and his abnormal electrocardiogram and laboratory test results. The family practitioner did not order the patient to the emergency department to urgently refer the patient for stress testing and cardiology consultation.
On 9/25/2012, the patient collapsed and died while working out at 24 Hour Fitness. The cause of death was atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. On 5/7/2015, the family practitioner was interviewed as part of the investigation of the care and treatment he provided the patient. The family practitioner admitted that the patient’s medical records spanning several years were lost or improperly destroyed.
The Medical Board of California judged that the family practitioner’s conduct departed from the standard of care because he failed to properly evaluate and treat the patient’s exertional chest pain in the setting of multiple cardiac risk factors and abnormal electrocardiogram and laboratory findings.
The Medical Board of California issued a public reprimand and ordered the family practitioner to complete a clinical training program equivalent to the Physician Assessment and Clinical Education Program offered at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine.
State: California
Date: November 2016
Specialty: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine
Symptom: Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath
Diagnosis: Cardiovascular Disease
Medical Error: Failure to follow up, Diagnostic error
Significant Outcome: Death
Case Rating: 3
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
Florida – Internal Medicine – Undiagnosed Fever, Urinary Retention, And Hematuria Results In Death
On 12/23/2013, a 63-year-old male presented to a medical center with complaints of fever, insomnia, urinary retention, and hematuria, lasting the past six days.
Upon admission to the medical center, the patient was examined by an internist, and the internist diagnosed the patient with a urinary tract infection and urinary retention.
Based on this diagnosis, the internist ordered the administration of ceftriaxone, the placement of a Foley catheter, a urinalysis work-up, and a consultation with a urologist.
The patient’s urinalysis came back negative, and the Foley catheter enabled the patient’s bladder to void.
While a consultation with a urologist was ordered, it was never actually completed.
There was no documentation in the patient’s medical records that indicated the underlying causes of the patient’s urinary retention, hematuria, fever, and pain.
The internist failed to perform and failed to document performing an examination of the patient’s abdomen, lower back, kidneys, and genitourinary system that was sufficiently detailed enough to confirm or rule out the possible underlying causes of the patient’s urinary retention, hematuria, fever, and pain.
The internist failed to order and failed to document ordering additional laboratory and imaging testing of the patient’s abdomen, lower back, kidneys, and genitourinary system, after the patient’s urinalysis came back negative.
The internist failed to follow up on and failed to document following up on the urology consultation and the urology consultation results ordered for the patient.
The internist stated in his discharge summary that the patient “was seen by urology and workup was negative.”
On 12/25/2013, the patient was discharged from the hospital with instructions to follow up with his primary care physician and an outpatient urology practice.
On 12/28/2013, the patient’s condition deteriorated and he expired in his home as a result of undiagnosed peritonitis.
The Medical Board of Florida judged the internist’s conduct to be below the minimal standard of competence given that he failed to perform an examination of the patient’s abdomen, lower back, kidneys, and genitourinary system that was sufficiently detailed enough to confirm or rule out the possible underlying causes of the patient’s urinary retention, hematuria, fever, and pain. The internist also failed to follow up on additional laboratory and imaging testing of the patient’s abdomen, lower back, kidneys, and genitourinary system until the underlying causes of the patient’s urinary retention, hematuria, fever, and pain was determined. The internist failed to follow up on the urology consultation and/or results of the urology consultation that was ordered for the patient. Also, the internist failed to reevaluate and reassess the patient’s condition prior to his discharge from the hospital.
The Medical Board of Florida issued a letter of concern against the internist’s license. Also, the Medical Board of Florida ordered that the internist pay a fine of $8,000 against his license and pay reimbursement costs for the case at a minimum of 3,462.89 and not to exceed $5,462.89. The Medical Board of Florida ordered that the internist complete five hours of continuing medical education in the “diagnosis and treatment of urinary retention and hyponatremia” and complete five hours of continuing medical education in “risk management.”
State: Florida
Date: November 2016
Specialty: Internal Medicine, Urology
Symptom: Fever, Bleeding, Pain, Urinary Problems
Diagnosis: Infectious Disease, Urological Disease
Medical Error: Failure to examine or evaluate patient properly, Failure to order appropriate diagnostic test, Failure of communication with other providers, Failure to follow up, Lack of proper documentation
Significant Outcome: Death
Case Rating: 3
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
Florida – General Surgery – Lump And Pain After Procedure To Strip Greater Saphenous Vein And Ligate Saphenofemoral Junction
On 9/9/2011, a general surgeon performed a greater saphenous vein stripping, a ligation of the saphenofemoral junction, and phlebectomies on a patient’s right leg.
On 9/12/2011, the third post-operative day, the patient reported pain and redness.
The next day, on 9/13/2011, the patient called the general surgeon’s office and complained of throbbing pain in her right leg and groin. The patient was instructed to use a heating pad, to elevate her leg as much as possible, and to call if symptoms escalate.
The next day, on 9/14/2011, at a follow-up appointment with the general surgeon, the patient reported increased pain secondary to a hematoma. The patient was instructed to follow up in one week.
Six days later, on 9/19/2011. The patient called the general surgeon’s and complained of increased pain in her right leg and a lump in her right groin area. The patient was instructed to go to a radiology center for a stat right leg ultrasound.
The patient presented for a venogram, which revealed total occlusion of the right common femoral vein with extravasation.
The patient was transferred to a medical center on 9/23/2011. A physician performed a right groin evacuation of the hematoma and exploration of the right common femoral vein. The physician found that during the original surgery, the general surgeon had ligated and transected the common femoral vein instead of the greater saphenous vein.
As a result of the injury, the patient continues to experience pain and swelling to her right leg.
The Medical Board of Florida judged the general surgeon’s conduct to be below the minimum standard of competence given that he failed to clearly identify the saphenofemoral junction and then ligate, transect, and strip the greater saphenous vein. The general surgeon also failed to further investigate the patient’s pain and hematoma at the time of her complaints, including ordering a venous ultrasound of the leg. The general surgeon did not correctly identify and ligate the greater saphenous vein. Instead, he ligated and transected the common femoral vein. The general surgeon did not adequately investigate and evaluate the patient’s post-operative pain and hematoma. Instead, he waited seven days before advising the patient to obtain a venous ultrasound.
The Medical Board of Florida issued a letter of concern against the general surgeon’s license. The Medical Board of Florida ordered that the general surgeon pay a fine of $10,000 against his license and pay reimbursement costs for the case at a minimum of $8,070.79 and not to exceed $10,070.79. The Medical Board of Florida also ordered that the general surgeon complete a medical records course, complete five hours of continuing medical education in vascular surgery, and complete five hours of continuing medical education in “risk management.”
State: Florida
Date: November 2016
Specialty: General Surgery
Symptom: Pelvic/Groin Pain, Mass (Breast Mass, Lump, etc.), Extremity Pain, Swelling
Diagnosis: Post-operative/Operative Complication, Cardiovascular Disease
Medical Error: Wrong site procedure, Delay in proper treatment, Failure to order appropriate diagnostic test
Significant Outcome: N/A
Case Rating: 4
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
Florida – Emergency Medicine – Pleuritic Shortness Of Breath, Dry Cough, Nausea, Abdominal Distention, Hypoactive Bowel Sounds, And Right-Sided Abdominal Tenderness
On 5/31/2012, a 76-year-old male presented to the emergency department with complaints of pleuritic shortness of breath, dry cough, and nausea.
The patient was admitted for acute hypoxic and hyperbaric respiratory failure as well as COPD exacerbation by an ED physician.
On 6/6/2012, the patient reported a new symptom of abdominal pain. The patient had abdominal distention, hypoactive bowel sounds, and right-sided abdominal tenderness.
On 6/6/2012, a nurse practitioner advised that an abdominal x-ray should be ordered.
The ED physician did not create an adequate history, perform a proper examination, or correctly document the ordering of an abdominal x-ray for the patient on 6/6/2012.
On 6/8/2012, a consultant physician for the patient raised a concern of possible ischemic bowel.
The ED physician did not order, or did not create or maintain adequate, legible documentation of ordering, a CT scan of the patient’s abdomen on 6/8/2012.
The Medical Board of Florida issued a reprimand against the ED physician’s license. The Medical Board of Florida issued a fine of $10,000 against the ED physician’s license and pay reimbursement costs for the case at a minimum of $4,269.46 and not to exceed $6,269.64. The Medical Board of Florida ordered that the ED physician complete five hours of continuing medical education in the area of “patient evaluation and monitoring in the hospital setting” and complete a records course. The Medical Board of Florida placed the ED physician’s license on probation for a period of one year and required the ED physician to be indirectly supervised by a monitor during this period.
State: Florida
Date: November 2016
Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine
Symptom: Shortness of Breath, Cough, Nausea Or Vomiting, Abdominal Pain
Diagnosis: Acute Abdomen
Medical Error: Failure to order appropriate diagnostic test, Failure to examine or evaluate patient properly, Lack of proper documentation
Significant Outcome: N/A
Case Rating: 3
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
Florida – Gynecology – Trichloroacetic Acid Administered Instead Of Acetic Acid During Routine Vaginal Procedure
On 9/29/2014, a patient presented to the health department to a gynecologist for a routine vaginal procedure.
The gynecologist asked the nurse assisting him to hand him acetic acid to prepare for the procedure. However, the nurse gave the gynecologist trichloroacetic acid by mistake.
The gynecologist used a cotton swab to apply the trichloroacetic acid to the patient’s vaginal area.
The patient began to experience extreme burning, and the gynecologist immediately washed the patient’s vaginal area. The patient sustained burns and sloughing of skin to the surface and inside her vagina. The gynecologist applied lidocaine gel to the area.
On 9/30/2014, the patient returned to the health department with complaints of pain and bleeding as a result of the burns. She was examined and given lidocaine for the pain.
The Medical Board of Florida judged the gynecologist’s conduct to be below the minimal standard of competence given that he applied the wrong medication, trichloroacetic acid, to her vagina and cervix instead of acetic acid.
The Medical Board of Florida issued a letter of concern against the gynecologist’s license. The Medical Board of Florida ordered that the gynecologist pay a fine of $2,500 for his license and pay reimbursement costs for the case at a minimum of $2,757.86 and not to exceed $4,757.86. The Medical Board of Florida also ordered that gynecologist complete five hours of continuing medical education in gynecology and complete five hours of continuing medical education in “risk management.”
State: Florida
Date: November 2016
Specialty: Gynecology
Diagnosis: N/A
Medical Error: Accidental Medication Error
Significant Outcome: N/A
Case Rating: 3
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
North Carolina – General Surgery – Unintentional Creation Of A Colovaginal Anastomosis
The Board was notified of a professional liability payment made on 12/15/2015.
In 2012, a 51-year-old female, presented to a general surgeon with recurrent diverticulitis and a history of multiple prior abdominal and gynecological surgeries. As a result of the patient’s history and symptoms, the general surgeon performed a partial sigmoid colectomy, or bowel resection. Two days postoperatively, the patient began to exhibit symptoms consistent with a colovaginal anastomosis, an erroneous connection of the patient’s colon to her vagina rather than her rectum as intended. When the error was discovered, the general surgeon immediately notified the patient and advised her of the need for corrective surgery. The patient returned to surgery where the general surgeon corrected the error.
The Board submitted the patient’s medical records to an independent expert for review. The expert noted the creation of a colovaginal anastomosis is an avoidable surgical error. Specifically, the expert stated that by visually and manually inspecting the proper placement of the stapler this error can be prevented. The expert remarked that the general surgeon’s care of Patient A after the error was discovered was “exemplary”. The expert also applauded the general surgeon for immediately notifying the patient of the mistake.
The Board issued a public letter of concern, which was reported to the Federation of State Medical Boards. It was not reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank.
State: North Carolina
Date: November 2016
Specialty: General Surgery
Symptom: N/A
Diagnosis: Post-operative/Operative Complication
Medical Error: Procedural error
Significant Outcome: N/A
Case Rating: 2
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
California – General Surgery – Abdominal Pain And Tachycardia Following A Laparoscopic-Assisted Ileocolectomy With A Stapled Anastomosis For Tumor Removal
On the morning of 6/17/2013, a 79-year-old male underwent a scheduled colonoscopy by his gastroenterologist due to symptoms of chronic abdominal pain, weight loss, and anemia. The colonoscopy revealed a tumor in the ascending colon. A general surgeon was called in for a surgery consultation. The general surgeon met with the patient and his family and obtained an informed consent from the patient to perform surgery later that same day. The general surgeon failed to document this consultation with a written or dictated note in the patient’s medical record. Later that same day, on the evening of 6/17/2013, the general surgeon performed a laparoscopic-assisted ileocolectomy with a stapled anastomosis on the patient and removed the tumor.
During the first 2 days following the operation, the patient began to show signs of complications. He had mild leukocytosis and bandemia as well as no obvious gastrointestinal function. Late in the day of 6/19/2013 and into 6/20/2013, the patient began having increased abdominal pain and increased abdominal distention. On 6/20/2013, the general surgeon ordered an increase in the patient’s IV fluids. The general surgeon reported that she made a focused exam of the patient, but she failed to note any details describing the quality of the patient’s abdominal tenderness in the medical record. Later that same day, the patient experienced greater abdominal pain and became tachycardic with an elevated heart rate. The patient’s family became increasingly concerned and repeatedly asked for something to be done to help the patient. At 12:40 a.m. on 6/21/2013, the nurse called the general surgeon. The general surgeon’s only intervention at that time was to give verbal orders to the nurse to increase the patient’s pain medication, place a catheter, and order partial blood work. The general surgeon did not come to the hospital and did not examine the patient. Yet, when the general surgeon was interviewed by the Medical Board, she stated that at this point “it was clear that something wasn’t as it should have been.”
The standard of care requires that at this point, if not sooner, a work up for Systemic Inflammatory Response System (SIRS) or Sepsis should have been ordered, including possibly starting IV antibiotics, ordering specific lab tests and diagnostic imaging, and doing a focused physical exam.
Over the next 4 to 5 hours on 6/21/2013, the patient complained of severe abdominal pain, had increased tachycardia, and a worsening appearance. At 5:03 a.m., the nurse again called the general surgeon. The general surgeon again gave verbal orders only for fluids, increased pain medications, and an x-ray. At 6:15 a.m., it was first documented that the patient had a fever of 100.2 F, which increased to 103.1 F by 7:55 a.m. The patient had also become hypotensive with low blood pressure. At this point, it should have been clear to the general surgeon that the patient was in septic shock.
At 8 a.m., the general surgeon, who was still not in the hospital, gave the nurse the order over the phone to transfer the patient to the critical care unit. The first documentation that the general surgeon was present in the hospital was a nurse’s note at 8:30 a.m. Upon examination, the general surgeon suspected the patient was suffering from peritonitis in addition to septic shock. The patient was taken to the critical care unit between 8:45 a.m. and 9 a.m. and emergently to the operating room at around 9:30 a.m.
The general surgeon performed an exploratory laparotomy on the patient, where feculent fluid was found coming from a small disruption of the ileocolic anastomosis. The fluid was suctioned, the abdomen irrigated, the ileocolic anastomosis resected, and another anastomosis was created. The patient remained hemodynamically unstable throughout the procedure and was transferred to the critical care unit still intubated on multiple pressors for blood pressure support. The patient’s primary care was transferred to the critical care unit doctors. The patient likely aspirated during intubation. For the next several days, the patient remained in septic shock and dependent on a ventilator. He suffered progressive multi-organ failure, which led to his death on 6/28/2013.
The Medical Board of California judged that the general surgeon’s conduct departed from the standard of care because she failed to conduct an adequate work-up and significantly delayed coming to see the patient, who was exhibiting worsening abdominal pain and clinical signs and symptoms, which met SIRS criteria, and then progressed to septic shock. The general surgeon also performed a primary ileocolic anastomosis without a fecal diversion in a hemodynamically unstable patient in septic shock, who had feculent fluid peritonitis.
The Medical Board of California issued a public reprimand and ordered the general surgeon to complete a medical record-keeping course and education course for at least 40 hours.
State: California
Date: November 2016
Specialty: General Surgery
Symptom: Abdominal Pain, Fever, GI Symptoms (GERD, Abdominal Distention, Dysphagia), Weight Loss
Diagnosis: Post-operative/Operative Complication, Sepsis
Medical Error: Failure to order appropriate diagnostic test, Delay in diagnosis, Failure to examine or evaluate patient properly, Improper treatment, Lack of proper documentation
Significant Outcome: Death
Case Rating: 4
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF