When managing patients with depression, clinicians must always be cognizant that suicide is a possibility, and that sometimes the medications prescribed can actually exacerbate the situation.
The patient had a history of asthma, COPD, diabetes and severe anaphylactic reactions to multiple medicines.
As soon as the verdict was delivered, and the jury filed out of the courtroom, the medical practice’s attorney immediately made numerous motions, including for a new trial, for an appeal, to set aside the verdict and to challenge the jury’s award.
This month we look at a case where a physician made a judgment call and ended up being judged harshly for it.
During her testimony, Dr E was asked about the notes in the chart, and she was forced to admit that she transcribed the scribble notes into the patient’s record after the patient died and she had been contacted by the plaintiff’s law firm asking for the records.
Dr C was determined to fight this case, and his defense attorney was supportive after looking at the detailed notes and documented calls to the patient which were never returned.
Juries are notoriously unpredictable, and this case might have gone either way.
The police informed Dr. M that the patient, a 24-year old named Mr. G, had been the perpetrator of an assault and in the process was hit in the head with a blunt object by a bystander.
Timely review and appropriate follow up on all patient reports is essential and must be part of a practice’s routine.
This month we look at the issue of whether a physician can be liable for relying on information provided by the patient.
