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Special Edition Legal Case Study


Healthcare Professionals and Medical Malpractice: A Case Study with Risk Management Strategies

Medical malpractice claims can be asserted against any healthcare provider. Although there may be a perception that physicians are held responsible for the majority of lawsuits, the reality is that healthcare professionals, including physical therapists, pharmacists and counselors are more frequently finding themselves defending the care they provide.


Physical Therapist Edition

Case Study: Improper Full Spinal Deep Thrusts

This case involves a physical therapist working in a private practice setting. In this case, the patient was a 5'2", 156 lb, 54-year-old woman, who underwent a hysterectomy and afterwards began to experience low back pain. Five months after surgery the patient sought treatment for her back pain with an orthopedic surgeon who believed she was suffering from degenerative problems and prescribed physical therapy... Read the Full Case with Risk Management Recommendations
 

Read Previous Issues of the HPSO Special Edition Legal Case Study: Physical Therapist Edition

Pharmacist Edition

Case Study: Poisoning From Incorrect Anti-Fungal Medication

In this case, the insured pharmacist received an order for the plaintiff to receive intravenous Amphotericin Lipid Complex. The insured pharmacist incorrectly supplied Amphotericin B. The co-defendant pharmacy technician produced the correct labels but placed them on the incorrectly selected medication... Read the Full Case with Risk Management Recommendations
 

Read Previous Issues of the HPSO Special Edition Legal Case Study: Pharmacist Edition

Counselor Edition

Case Study: Alleged Slanderous Statements by the Defendant Regarding the Plaintiff and Alleged Improper Reporting of Privileged Health Information to the Plaintiff's Employer

The plaintiff was a 52 year old practicing physician when he was court-ordered via the state's professional resource network (PRN) to see the defendant counselor for assessment following an arrest for suspected driving under the influence (DUI)... Read the Full Case with Risk Management Recommendations
 

Read Previous Issues of the HPSO Special Edition Legal Case Study: Counselors Edition



August 2009 Legal Case Study
Prescription for Equetro for Child Filled With 300 Milligram Pills, Instead of 100 Milligram Pills - Overdose Causes Convulsions - Confidential Settlement.

The plaintiff, age six, was on a prescription for bipolar disorder. In June 2006, a pharmacist misfilled a prescription for Equetro capsules. The prescription was for 100 milligram pills, but it was filled with 300 milligram capsules. The bottle was labeled as 100 milligram capsules with the same prescription instructions for two capsules in the morning and four capsules at bedtime.

This caused the plaintiff to be given an adult dose of the medication. On the morning after the first day the plaintiff could not be awakened. When he did become somewhat aroused, he began convulsing. He quit breathing and turned blue. He was rushed to an emergency room. Poison Control was contacted and the pharmacy was called to try to verify the dosage. The hospital then discovered that there were 300 milligram pills in the bottle.

The child was transferred to a children’s hospital. He was discharged three days later. No lasting effects of the overdose were ever diagnosed.

Accord in to a Reporter a confidential settlement was reached.

With permission from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts; Lewis Laska, Editor, 901 Church St., Nashville, TN 37203-3411, 1-800-298-6288.

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