Hundreds of Patients Affected in MD Hospital Malpractice Case

January 27, 2010

A hospital in Maryland is currently notifying patients of the possibility of mass medical malpractice after it was discovered that as many as 369 patients may have received unnecessary arterial stent implants.

Cardiac catheterization with the use of coronary stents is commonly done in an attempt to open up clogged arteries.  According to reports, the patients affected had only minor blockages in their arteries that did not warrant the use of coronary stents.  As a result these patients were exposed to unnecessary risk.

Coronary stents are typically implanted via the bloodstream and through the leg.  The risks associated with cardiac catheterization include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Allergic reaction
  • Damage to blood vessels
  • Blood clots
  • Low blood pressure
  • Kidney damage
  • Arrhythmias
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke

It is believed that a possible underlying reason for the unnecessary procedures is health care fraud, for which the hospital is currently under investigation.  These procedures are quite costly and most insurance providers, including Medicare, require that a patient’s artery be at least 70% blocked before they will approve the use of a stent.  It is reported that the hospital told the affected patients that they had frighteningly large blockages, some up to 95%, when in reality most of the blockages were less than 10%.

Being forced to undergo any unnecessary procedure can be physically and emotionally taxing on anyone.  The fact that the patients involved in this case underwent such a dangerous one only makes the situation that much more upsetting.  We will most likely see an influx of medical malpractice lawsuits as a result.

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Posted by Dave Austin

British Doctors Warned about Online Flirting and Medical Malpractice

December 11, 2009

An interesting warning has been issued to doctors in England by a medical organization that advises physicians on how to avoid medical malpractice lawsuits, but perhaps it is just a sign of the times.  They are reminding doctors of the dangers of online flirting with patients on social networking websites.

The Medical Defense Union is addressing the increasing popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace and urging doctors who choose to be “friends” with patients on such networks to be careful about their conduct.

The organization’s warning reminds physicians that flirting with patients can raise ethical questions because of their role of trust in society.  It points out that these online connections sometimes blur the boundaries between doctor and patient, and could end up resulting in a medical malpractice lawsuit when these lines are crossed.

Likewise, remember that as a patient, anything you share on the internet, regardless of the site’s so-called privacy settings, can end up being used against you.  Medical malpractice cases are a good example of this, since many a defense attorney has been able to shed a negative light on a plaintiff by accessing something they posted online and thought was protected.  Always keep this in mind, particularly if you are involved in any type of legal action.

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Posted by Dave Austin

New Website Aimed at Reducing Hospital Infections

December 3, 2009

When a person develops an infection while being treated at a hospital or other health care facility, it is known as a health-care associated infection, or hospital-acquired infection (HAI for short).  It is a global epidemic with as many as 1.4 million people throughout the world suffering its ill effects.  And given the dangerous nature of such infections, sometimes even causing death, these HAI’s often result in medical malpractice lawsuits.

Those who do survive HAI’s often face permanent injury, further hospitalizations and treatments, resulting in even more cost to the patient, not to mention pain and suffering and other losses.

Part of the problem has been the lack of reporting required by hospitals and healthcare facilities, which has contributed to underestimation of the problem and a subsequent lack of emphasis placed on addressing the issue and reducing the number of incidents occurring.

Kimberly-Clarke Corporation, however, is taking steps to begin making a difference by partnering with doctors and hospitals nationwide to educate medical staff and management on HAI prevention.  The HAI Education Program is part of a national campaign of awareness called “Not on My Watch”.  Part of the program involves providing toolkits to healthcare facilities that contain posters, patient safety tips and informational flyers.

The innovative campaign also employs what’s called the HAI Education Bus, a one-of-a-kind classroom on wheels that travels around the country bringing continuing education, and equipping medical professionals with guidelines and best practices to reduce the incidences of hospital-acquired infections.

Given the danger associated with hospital infections, only positive results can come of this type of training, and as a result we can hope to see fewer reported incidents of HAI’s in the future, as well as fewer medical malpractice lawsuits involving these deadly infections.

If it’s too late for you, however, and you were injured as a result of an HAI, contact a medical lawyer today to find out your rights.

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Posted by Dave Austin

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