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A male patient in his 30s was seen at an emergency department (ED), where he displayed some evidence of epidural abscess, but was discharged with a diagnosis of back pain.
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When an emergency physician (EP) receives notice of a lawsuit, the plaintiff often turns out not to be the first patient who comes to mind.
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Allegations in malpractice claims against emergency physicians (EPs) involving missed acute myocardial infarctions (AMIs) are often related to the failure to diagnose.
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In a recent malpractice case, a widow stated that her husband presented with crushing substernal chest pain with shortness of breath, but the emergency physician (EP) testified that the chest pain occurred with cough only.
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The prescription drug abuse epidemic in this country is a serious problem with implications not only for at-risk patients, but for providers. Providers must be mindful to identify patients at risk for abuse/overdose. However, the pendulum must not swing too far, resulting in reduced access to care for those with chronic medical conditions and compliance problems with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA).
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If an ED patient is admitted to a step-down unit and has a bad outcome, a plaintiff attorney might successfully argue that the patient should have been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) instead.
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RSV occurs primarily in the winter months in the United States and is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in the very young and very old.
