He Who Hesitates...
What is the single most vital element that makes a good doctor? The ability to ask the right questions, observe symptoms and make a speedy and accurate diagnosis. That diagnoses can make the difference between life and death, health and collapse. The doctor who is unable to put all the clues together to convince himself that he recognizes the symptoms to identify a condition requiring immediate care, simply does not qualify for the provision of emergency care when time is of the essence.
On the other hand, in small rural communities, hospitals must make do with the talent they have at their disposal. If, to bolster their emergency staff they must take advantage of medical professionals whose ability to diagnose is less than good, they are left with little choice. Most people trust that, on accessing a hospital and seeing a doctor and presenting their symptoms they will be accurately and expeditiously diagnosed and treatment will commence.
Wayne Forsberg, a farmer from rural Alberta who himself suspected his own symptoms might qualify him as a candidate for immediate treatment to reverse the effects of bacterial meningitis, did a far better job of identifying his problem than the doctor who subsequently examined him. The examining physician was uncertain, and had to be convinced before committing to a diagnosis.
In the end, after consultations with an infectious-disease expert, after failed attempts to conduct a spinal tap as recommended, and after over three hours had elapsed since Mr. Forsberg had presented with fever, headache, stiff neck, skin covered with spots, he was finally given a protocol of antibiotics. But it was too late to adequately treat the infection. Amputations of both legs and an arm were required.
And a malpractise lawsuit was launched against the attending physician, Dr. Dadi Naidoo.
Nurse Joanne Ward who felt certain that Mr. Forsberg was presenting with a blood infection, twice asked Dr. Naidoo for permission to start the patient on antibiotics. On both occasions he informed her she must wait. Dr. Naidoo testified that he realized septicemia was present, but still needed to be convinced, and would have preferred the patient be treated at a larger hospital.
Judge Thomas reached the conclusion that if a drug regimen had been initiated in good time, the farmer might have lost digits and required some skin grafting, but major amputations would not have been required. He was inspired, therefore, to award over $1-million to Mr. Forsberg to cover business losses, $270,000 for pain and suffering and additional sums to compensate his wife.
Not that money can compensate for pain and suffering and lost limbs, nor ameliorate the misery, frustration and angst of an unnecessary trauma.
On the other hand, in small rural communities, hospitals must make do with the talent they have at their disposal. If, to bolster their emergency staff they must take advantage of medical professionals whose ability to diagnose is less than good, they are left with little choice. Most people trust that, on accessing a hospital and seeing a doctor and presenting their symptoms they will be accurately and expeditiously diagnosed and treatment will commence.
Wayne Forsberg, a farmer from rural Alberta who himself suspected his own symptoms might qualify him as a candidate for immediate treatment to reverse the effects of bacterial meningitis, did a far better job of identifying his problem than the doctor who subsequently examined him. The examining physician was uncertain, and had to be convinced before committing to a diagnosis.
In the end, after consultations with an infectious-disease expert, after failed attempts to conduct a spinal tap as recommended, and after over three hours had elapsed since Mr. Forsberg had presented with fever, headache, stiff neck, skin covered with spots, he was finally given a protocol of antibiotics. But it was too late to adequately treat the infection. Amputations of both legs and an arm were required.
And a malpractise lawsuit was launched against the attending physician, Dr. Dadi Naidoo.
"When faced with a 'very ill man', Dr. Naidoo knew that a probable cause was bacterial infection, and that there was literally nothing to lose by a very prompt attempt to treat that possible infection with antibiotics. Any medical professional should clearly have known that was the case." Court of Queen's Bench Justice Dennis Thomas.Extenuating circumstances. Previous notice had been advanced. Public health officials in the area had been warning of an uptick in cases of bacterial meningitis in the Edmonton area. Mr. Forsberg's wife, Shirley, had raised the possibility that her husband had been infected. The nurse who saw Mr. Forsberg initially recognized the spots as signs of bleeding under the skin and drew the doctor's attention to those symptoms.
Nurse Joanne Ward who felt certain that Mr. Forsberg was presenting with a blood infection, twice asked Dr. Naidoo for permission to start the patient on antibiotics. On both occasions he informed her she must wait. Dr. Naidoo testified that he realized septicemia was present, but still needed to be convinced, and would have preferred the patient be treated at a larger hospital.
Judge Thomas reached the conclusion that if a drug regimen had been initiated in good time, the farmer might have lost digits and required some skin grafting, but major amputations would not have been required. He was inspired, therefore, to award over $1-million to Mr. Forsberg to cover business losses, $270,000 for pain and suffering and additional sums to compensate his wife.
Not that money can compensate for pain and suffering and lost limbs, nor ameliorate the misery, frustration and angst of an unnecessary trauma.
Labels: Health, Human Relations
posted by Pieface @ 7:30 PM
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