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Florida – Critical Care Medicine – Intensivist Unavailable To Assess Patient With Metabolic Acidosis, Abdominal Pain, And Vomiting
On 10/19/2011 at 5:23 p.m., a 35-year-old male presented to the emergency department at a hospital with a chief complaint of abdominal pain and vomiting, which started approximately five hours before he presented to the hospital.
The patient was admitted to the hospital under the service of an intensivist and was notified of his arrival and condition at 5:35 p.m.
Between the hours of 5:50 p.m. and 7:22 p.m. the intensivist gave verbal orders of Dilaudid and ketorolac to the patient’s nurse.
At 9:20 p.m., the intensivist gave telephonic orders to the patient’s nurse, to place him on his home BIPAP mask.
On 10/20/2011, at 3:15 a.m. a rapid response was called due to an acute change in the patient’s respiratory status.
During the rapid response, an arterial blood gas (“ABG”) was drawn that revealed critical metabolic acidosis.
The intensivist never presented to the emergency room to assess the patient when he demonstrated medically dangerous/life-threatening signs at 3:15 a.m. or any time thereafter.
The intensivist never attended to the patient when his clinical situation was from an unknown cause and when a clear treatment plan had not been determined.
From 3:43 a.m. to 4:15 a.m., the critical care practitioner was contacted approximately five times with information on the patient’s medically unstable and deteriorating condition.
At 3:45 a.m., the patient became short of breath, restless, diaphoretic, and seizure episodes followed. He was then transported to an intensive care unit.
At 5:25 a.m., a second rapid response was called due to a further decline in the patient’s health. The rapid response turned into a code blue.
The patient underwent a cardiopulmonary arrest, and the code team was unable to resuscitate him.
On 10/20/2011, the patient expired at 6:25 am.
The autopsy results were consistent with acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis with diffuse pancreatic necrosis.
The Medical Board of Florida judged the intensivist’s conduct to be below the minimal standard of competence given that he failed to presented to the emergency room to assess the patient when the patient demonstrated medically dangerous/life-threatening signs on 10/20/2011 at 3:15 a.m.
The Medical Board of Florida issued a letter of concern against the critical care practitioner’s license. The Medical Board of Florida ordered that he pay a fine of $7,500 against his license and pay reimbursement costs for the case at a minimum of $4,503.10 and not to exceed $6,503.10. The Medical Board of Florida ordered that the critical care practitioner complete ten hours of continuing medical education in the area of critical care medicine and complete five hours of continuing medical education in “risk management.”
State: Florida
Date: December 2017
Specialty: Critical Care Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Pulmonology
Symptom: Abdominal Pain, Nausea Or Vomiting
Diagnosis: Gastrointestinal Disease
Medical Error: Failure to properly monitor patient
Significant Outcome: Death
Case Rating: 4
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
Florida – Emergency Medicine – Patient With Chest Pain Radiating To The Neck, Throat, And Back Discharged With Instructions To Follow up In 3-5 Days
On 11/15/2013, a patient complained of chest pain radiating to his neck, throat, and across his back. The patient stated the onset of the pain was noted to be one hour prior to his arrival at the hospital while he was screwing something into the wall, and that the pain was exacerbated by movement.
An ED physician performed an initial EKG, labs, and a chest x-ray on the patient.
The ED physician initially treated the patient with nitroglycerin and a GI cocktail, and subsequently with diazepam, morphine, Toradol, and Dilaudid.
The ED physician’s final assessment of the patient noted that the patient was still complaining of left side neck pain and “trap pain.”
The ED physician discharged the patient with a diagnosis of “musculoskeletal chest pain” and prescribed naproxen, Norco, and diazepam, along with instructions to follow up with him in three to five days.
The patient returned to the hospital the following day in cardiac arrest and expired on 11/16/2013.
The Medical Board of Florida judged the ED physician’s conduct to be below the minimal standard of competence given that he failed to perform a CT of the patient’s chest to evaluate for aortic dissection. He also failed to adequately document bilateral pulses and/or blood pressures in the patient. He failed to pursue other etiologies of the patient’s reported pain. The ED physician failed to admit the patient for further observation.
It was requested that the Medical Board of Florida order one or more of the following penalties for the ED physician: permanent revocation or suspension of his license, restriction of practice, imposition of an administrative fine, issuance of a reprimand, probation, corrective action, payment of fees, remedial education, and/or any other relief that the Medical Board of Florida deemed appropriate.
State: Florida
Date: December 2017
Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Symptom: Chest Pain, Back Pain, Chest Pain, Head/Neck Pain
Diagnosis: Aneurysm
Medical Error: Failure to order appropriate diagnostic test, Delay in proper treatment, Failure to examine or evaluate patient properly, Lack of proper documentation
Significant Outcome: Death
Case Rating: 4
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
Florida – Radiology – Gastrografin GI Series Performed to Ascertain GI Leak But No Leak Reported By Radiologist
On 6/23/2014, a 66-year-old male presented to the Physicians Regional Medical Center for gastric bypass surgery.
Following the gastric bypass procedure, on 6/24/2014, a radiologist performed a Gastrografin upper GI series on the patient to ascertain whether there was a leak or obstruction in the patient’s digestive tract. A leak of contrast material was visible on radiographic images obtained by the radiologist during the procedure; however, the radiologist failed to detect the leak in the patient’s digestive tract and reported a negative GI series. The patient was subsequently discharged from the hospital.
Approximately thirty hours after his discharge, the patient returned to the hospital suffering from abdominal pain and sepsis. It was discovered that the patient had a perforation in his digestive tract. During surgery to repair this perforation, the patient suffered cardiac arrest and anoxic brain injury. The patient ultimately expired as a result of these complications on 7/10/2014
The Board judged the radiologist’s conduct to be below the minimum standard of competence given his failure to detect a leak in the patient’s digestive tract during the performance of a Gastrografin upper GI series.
State: Florida
Date: December 2017
Specialty: Radiology
Symptom: N/A
Diagnosis: Acute Abdomen
Medical Error: False negative
Significant Outcome: Death, Hospital Bounce Back
Case Rating: 3
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
Florida – Gynecology – CBC Tests Show Neutropenia And Leukopenia At An Annual Gynecological Exam
On 8/15/2013, a 34-year-old female presented to a gynecologist for an annual gynecological exam. At the exam, the patient expressed concerns about infertility. The gynecologist and the patient discussed various tests that may be used to address infertility and the gynecologist began ordering tests.
On 2/23/2015, the patient gave blood for a complete blood count (“CBC”) test that was ordered by the gynecologist.
On 3/5/2015, the gynecologist received and signed for the results of the CBC test. The CBC test indicated the patient had an abnormal white blood cell count, marked leukopenia, and severe neutropenia.
The gynecologist failed to notify the patient of the abnormal results of the CBC test.
The gynecologist failed to ensure that the patient had otherwise established a plan of care to address the abnormal results of the CBC test.
On 5/28/2015, the patient presented to the gynecologist for an annual gynecological exam. At the exam, it was determined that the patient was pregnant, and the gynecologist ordered blood tests for the patient. The gynecologist failed to order a repeat CBC test.
On 7/17/2015, the gynecologist received and signed for the results of the repeat CBC test. The repeat CBC test indicated that the patient’s white blood cell count had decreased further, the neutropenia had worsened, and she now had pancytopenia with a drop in the red blood cell and platelet count.
On 7/30/2015, the gynecologist notified the patient of the results of her repeat CBC test and referred her to a hematologist.
On 8/8/2015, the patient experienced a massive intracranial hemorrhage with herniation, as well as severe pancytopenia.
On 8/12/2015, the patient expired in the hospital. The fetus was also lost at that point.
The Medical Board of Florida judged the gynecologists conduct to be below the minimal standard of competence given that she failed to ensure that the patient had been notified of the abnormal results of the CBC test. The gynecologist failed to ensure that the patient had otherwise established, a plan of care to address the abnormal results of the CBC test. The gynecologist failed to order a repeat CBC test at the patient’s May exam.
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 $8,500 against her license and pay reimbursement costs for the case at a minimum of $3,126.31 and not to exceed $5,126.31. The Medical Board of Florida ordered that the gynecologist complete five hours of continuing medical education in “risk management.”
State: Florida
Date: December 2017
Specialty: Gynecology, Obstetrics
Symptom: N/A
Diagnosis: Hematological Disease, Intracranial Hemorrhage
Medical Error: Failure to follow up, Delay in proper treatment, Failure of communication with patient or patient relations
Significant Outcome: Death
Case Rating: 4
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
California – Obstetrics – Induction For A Patient With A Bishop Score Of 4 And Continued Pitocin Use Despite Fetal Heart Tracing Abnormalities
A 24-year-old female was transferred from a physician to an obstetrician. The patient first saw the obstetrician on 6/24/2009, and she was due with her first child in July 2009. Her patient chart listed her at 120 lbs and 4’0” tall, but when she came to see the obstetrician, she weighed 170 lbs.
The patient was seen by the obstetrician twice in June and every week in July until 7/27/2009. The patient was scheduled to be induced 7/29/2009. There was nothing in the records about her bony pelvic exam or pelvic adequacy for vaginal delivery. The obstetrician did not do an ultrasound. The patient was admitted to the hospital on 7/29/2009. There was no risk assessment, no estimate fetal size, no ultrasound ordered, and a Bishop score of 4.
The patient was started on Pitocin at 9:30 a.m. and had made no progress by 6:00 p.m. that evening. The patient was allowed to rest, and the next morning, on 7/30/2009 at 7:30 a.m., Pitocin was started again. During this time, it was noted that she had “reactive” fetal heart tracings. The nurses did not place an order for an internal fetal monitor. When the fetal heart tones were low, the Pitocin should be turned off. If the mother keeps having contractions, the baby gets no rest, which is what likely occurred in this case.
At 8:18 p.m., she was only dilated 4-5 cm. The patient had spontaneous rupture of the membranes with thick meconium noticed. At 8:50 p.m., the patient was dilated to 8 cm, 0 station. There was no mention of a possible Cesarean section in the notes. On 7/31/2009, a female infant weighing 9 lbs 5 oz was delivered using a vacuum because a shoulder dystocia was encountered. Unfortunately, the baby was deceased.
The Medical Board of California judged that the obstetrician’s conduct departed from the standard of care because he failed to estimate the fetal size, fetal lie, and pelvic adequacy. The obstetrician also did not mention the application of a fetal electrode. This is important because the obstetrician did not know if the heart rate was coming from the mother or the baby; thus, an internal electrode would have been an accurate way to measure the baby’s heart rate. Review of the fetal monitor strips showed back to back contractions and inadequate recordings. During labor and delivery, Pitocin should have been stopped in the contractions showed a low fetal heart rate and tachysystole (no rest between contractions). This patient was also a poor candidate for induction because she had a Bishop score of 4. When the membranes were ruptured with 3+ meconium, this should have alerted the obstetrician that the baby was somehow compromised and action by the obstetrician was required. Also, the patient was a transfer patient, but the obstetrician did not order lab studies or an ultrasound. There were many errors which lead to the untimely demise of this baby. Had there been an estimate of fetal weight, or an ultrasound performed within 6 weeks of induction of labor, the obstetrician would have known the patient was having a big baby, and the obstetrician might have performed a Cesarean section.
The Medical Board of California issued a public reprimand and ordered the obstetrician to complete a clinical competence assessment program.
State: California
Date: November 2017
Specialty: Obstetrics
Symptom: N/A
Diagnosis: Obstetrical Complication
Medical Error: Failure to examine or evaluate patient properly, Failure to order appropriate diagnostic test, Failure to properly monitor patient, Improper treatment, Improper medication management
Significant Outcome: Death
Case Rating: 4
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
Florida – Family Medicine – Recurrent Chest Pain Diagnosed As Esophageal Spasm
On 8/27/2012 a 47-year-old female presented with complaints of hypertension, possible hyperlipidemia, and pain in her foot. A family practitioner assessed the patient and diagnosed her with poor control of her hypertension and reinforced medical advice for the patient to increase her lisinopril. Additionally, the family practitioner waited for the results of the previous laboratory work and recommended conservative management and stretching for the foot and ankle.
On 4/1/2013, the patient again presented to the family practitioner to address difficulties with concurrent chest pain. The patient stated the chest pains were very severe and “stopped her in her tracks at times.” The patient stated that she felt she was having a heart attack, although she reportedly realized that that was not the case. The family practitioner deemed the chest pain was likely an esophageal spasm, for which he prescribed the patient Librax (chlordiazepoxide/clidinium) and recommended that she see a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy if the medication failed to provide relief. The family practitioner also assessed the patient for hypertension and instructed the patient to stop taking hydrochlorothiazide. The family practitioner provided the patient with a trial of Dyrenium (triamterene).
On 4/12/2013, the patient complained of chest pain and suffered a cardiac arrest. Upon EMS arrival, the patient was unstable and unresponsive. The patient was transported to a hospital where she was later pronounced deceased.
The Board judged the family practitioners conduct to be below the minimal standard of competence given that he failed to conduct an adequate history, which included a risk factor assessment for a patient complaining of chest pain, to order or perform an EKG on a patient complaining of chest pain, and send a patient complaining of chest pain to an emergency room or an expedited outpatient facility for a chest pain evaluation.
The Board ordered that the family practitioner pay a fine of $5,000 against his license and pay reimbursement costs for a minimum of $2,122.00 and not to exceed $4,122.00. The Board also ordered that the family practitioner complete ten hours of continuing medical education in diagnosis in cardiology and five hours of continuing medical education in “Risk Management.”
State: Florida
Date: November 2017
Specialty: Family Medicine
Symptom: Chest Pain, Extremity Pain
Diagnosis: Cardiovascular Disease
Medical Error: Diagnostic error, Failure to examine or evaluate patient properly, Failure to order appropriate diagnostic test, Referral failure to hospital or specialist
Significant Outcome: Death
Case Rating: 3
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
Florida – Obstetrics – Obstetrician Unavailable During Labor With Fetal Heart Decelerations
On 1/24/2014 a 21-year-old female presented to a hospital with spontaneous rupture of membranes and meconium-stained amniotic fluid at about thirty-nine weeks of pregnancy.
Upon admission, the patient was placed on a fetal monitor, which documented variable decelerations of the fetal heart rate. In response to the monitor tracings, an obstetrician ordered the administration of intravenous fluids. Shortly thereafter, the obstetrician ordered the performance of an amnioinfusion.
Over the next couple of hours, the fetal monitor began documenting recurrent late fetal heart rate decelerations and loss of fetal heart rate variability, indicative of probable insufficient fetal oxygenation. The obstetrician was notified of the recurrent late fetal heart rate decelerations and loss of fetal heart rate variability.
In response to the monitor tracings, the obstetrician ordered the rate of IV fluid administration increased. Despite the monitor tracings indicating probable fetal distress, the obstetrician did not diagnose, or did not document diagnosing, fetal intolerance to labor and allowed the trial of labor to continue.
At some point in time between 6:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., the obstetrician decided to manage the trial of labor from outside of the hospital. Based on the patient’s presentation, the obstetrician should have continued to manage the trial of labor, in person, at the hospital. The fetal monitor continued to document recurrent late fetal heart rate decelerations and a loss of fetal heart rate variability over the next several hours. The obstetrician was notified of the recurrent late fetal heart rate decelerations and loss of fetal heart rate variability on multiple occasions during that time span. Despite the monitor tracings indicating probably continued fetal distress, the obstetrician did not promptly return to the hospital to deliver the baby.
Shortly after midnight on 12/25/2014, the obstetrician was again notified of the recurrent late fetal heart rate decelerations and loss of fetal heart rate variability. At 1:28 a.m., the obstetrician returned to the hospital, presented to the delivery room, and shortly thereafter delivered the baby.
The baby was in full cardiac arrest at the time of delivery. Efforts to resuscitate the baby were abandoned after about 20 minutes. The final diagnosis was stillborn.
The obstetrician did not dictate or write any progress notes during the trial of labor.
The Board judged the obstetrician’s conduct to be below the minimum standard of competence given that she failed to diagnose fetal intolerance to labor, manage the trial of labor, in person, at the hospital, and promptly return to the hospital and deliver the baby upon receiving continued reports of probably fetal distress.
The Board ordered that the obstetrician pay a fine of $5,000 against her license and pay reimbursement costs for the case at a minimum of $3,949.77 and not to exceed $5,949.77. The Board also ordered that the obstetrician complete five hours continuing medical education in the area of obstetric medicine and five hours of continuing medical education in “Risk Management.”
State: Florida
Date: November 2017
Specialty: Obstetrics
Symptom: N/A
Diagnosis: Obstetrical Complication
Medical Error: Diagnostic error, Failure to properly monitor patient, Lack of proper documentation
Significant Outcome: Death
Case Rating: 2
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
Florida – Internal Medicine – Inadequate Monitoring For Post-Operative Care After Thyroid Lobectomy
On 8/12/2011, a patient was admitted to a medical center for post-operative care after a right thyroid lobectomy.
The patient presented with multiple risk factors for coronary artery disease, including obesity and tobacco use. She had a prolonged and difficult time with extubation after the surgery and complained of shortness of breath.
An internist was consulted for medical management. The internist diagnosed the patient with questionable and mild pulmonary edema. The internist’s plan of care for the patient was to admit her to the hospital, obtain ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan, perform cardiology and deep vein thrombosis evaluations, and perform peptic ulcer disease prophylaxis. The internist did not order telemetry monitoring for the patient.
On 8/12/2011, the patient was found slumped over the left side of her hospital bed and unresponsive. Staff initiated resuscitative efforts but they were unsuccessful and the patient expired.
The Board judged the internists conduct to be below the minimum standard of competence given that he failed to order telemetry monitoring for her upon her admission to the medical center.
The Board ordered that the internist pay a fine of $5,000 against his license and pay reimbursement costs for the case for a minimum of $2,378.85 and not to exceed $4,378.85. The Board also ordered that the internist complete five hours of continuing medical education in “Risk Management” and complete a one hour lecture/seminar on “Risk Management.”
State: Florida
Date: November 2017
Specialty: Internal Medicine
Symptom: Shortness of Breath
Diagnosis: Pulmonary Disease
Medical Error: Failure to properly monitor patient
Significant Outcome: Death
Case Rating: 1
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
Florida – Orthopedic Surgery – Damage To Inferior Vena Cava And Other Complications After Guidewire Improperly Placed In Disk Space
On 12/24/2014, a 59-year-old female was admitted to a medical center for a Microscopic Extraforaminal Lumbar Discectomy of L4-L5. An orthopedic surgeon was assigned to perform the patient’s procedure. He began the procedure by utilizing image intensification to use a guidewire for initial placement of dilators in the patient’s spine.
After removal of the guidewire, the orthopedic surgeon noted that he felt the guidewire had gone into the disk space slightly.
After sixty percent of the procedure was completed, the orthopedic surgeon was advised by the anesthesiologist that there was a decrease in the patient’s CO2. It was subsequently noted that the patient’s blood pressure began to drop.
The orthopedic surgeon then placed an OpSite over the patient’s incision, turned the patient to a supine position, and called for assistance from a vascular surgeon.
On 12/24/2014, after becoming hypotensive and then experiencing pulseless electrical activity during the lumbar discectomy, the patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy with repair of inferior vena cava injury.
During the exploratory laparotomy, after approximately one hour of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and advanced cardiac life support protocol, the patient expired on the operating table.
At all times relevant to this case, the prevailing professional standard of care requires that when dealing with patients such as this one, a physician should place instruments into a patient’s body in a manner to do the least possible harm.
The Board judged the orthopedic surgeons conduct to be below the minimal standard of competence given that he allowed an instrument to pass into the patient’s cavity in such a way that injured underlying structures and by failing to recognize the penetration of the guidewire at the time of placement of the initial dilator, which lead to the injury of the patient’s inferior vena cava.
It was requested that the Board order one or more of the following penalties for the orthopedic surgeon: permanent revocation or suspension of his license, restriction of practice, imposition of an administrative fine, issuance of a reprimand, probation, corrective action, payment of fees, remedial education, and/or any other relief that the Board deemed appropriate.
State: Florida
Date: October 2017
Specialty: Orthopedic Surgery
Symptom: N/A
Diagnosis: Post-operative/Operative Complication, Spinal Injury Or Disorder
Medical Error: Procedural error
Significant Outcome: Death
Case Rating: 4
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF
Florida – Emergency Medicine – A Patient With Diabetes Presents With Hyperglycemia, Nausea, Vomiting, And A Bicarbonate Level
On 4/28/2015, a 69-year-old female presented to the emergency department with complaints of nausea and vomiting, which had persisted for two to three days.
The patient reported that members of her family had recently experienced similar symptoms.
The patient presented with a history of diabetes and high blood pressure.
An ED physician ordered a general chemistry lab. The patient’s lab work revealed a high blood glucose level of 383 with a reference range of 65-99. The patient’s lab work also showed that her bicarbonate level was low at 15 with a reference range of 21-32. The low bicarbonate level indicated possible acidosis.
The ED physician treated the patient with insulin and antinausea medications and discharged her. The ED physician did not further investigate the patient’s low bicarbonate level. The ED physician did not assess the patient for diabetic ketoacidosis.
On 4/29/2015, the patient returned to the emergency department with recurrent nausea, vomiting, and worsening shortness of breath.
The patient was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis and severe sepsis.
The patient’s condition deteriorated and she expired in the hospital on 5/4/2015.
The Board judged the ED physician’s conduct to be below the minimal standard of competence given that he failed to further investigate a low bicarbonate level by ordering additional laboratory studies such as a serum ketone, serum beta-hydroxybutyrate, or serum pH.
It was requested that the Board order one or more of the following penalties for the ED physician: permanent revocation or suspension of his license, restriction of practice, imposition of an administrative fine, issuance of a reprimand, probation, corrective action, payment of fees, remedial education, and/or any other relief that the Board deemed appropriate.
State: Florida
Date: October 2017
Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Symptom: Nausea Or Vomiting, Shortness of Breath
Medical Error: Failure to order appropriate diagnostic test
Significant Outcome: Death
Case Rating: 4
Link to Original Case File: Download PDF