Case Example: Failure to Treat Ketoacidosis
A non-stress test, coupled with lack of proper monitoring of an expectant mother, has devastating consequences.
Blog
House Bill 804
The emergency room physicians of Pennsylvania are asking the state legislature to change the law to increase the burden of proof necessary for a patient to tip the scales in their favor.
Update: Newborn genetic screening
Can a simple blood test not only identify, but actually prevent certain birth defects? Recent studies are promising.
Study: Fear of Malpractice Suits Doesn’t Change Care
Do emergency room physicians fear malpractice suits to the extent that they might order unnecessary tests?
Conflicting Reports Raise Questions about ER in Dallas Ebola Case
A New York Times article reports on the allegations surrounding a Dallas hospital's treatment of Ebola patient Thomas Duncan.
Case example: Failure of ER Staff to Order Appropriate Tests
A jury finds that ER doctors missed symptoms and failed to order a needed chest x-ray
Genetic Conditions in Newborns – Do I Need Additional Screening?
In addition to conditions which hospitals are required to test, most hospitals will also test newborns for 23 additional genetic conditions.
Study: Expectant Mothers Would Benefit from National Quality Standards
According to a recent study, whether or not you experience complications during childbirth may depend upon the hospital you choose.
Pennsylvania Law Expands Newborn Screening for Birth Defects
"Hannah's Law," which goes into effect in Pennsylvania before year's end, requires Pennsylvania hospitals to test newborns for certain genetic disorders.
Cervical Cerclage – Cervical Incompetence
What happens when a cervix shortens or opens too early during pregnancy?
Case example: Failure to Monitor a Patient’s Changing Condition
Hospital’s inaction as a patient’s condition deteriorates overnight in the ER results in her death.
Newborn Screening – Methods, procedures, and timing
What types of medical screening is done for a newborn, and what is the law in terms of testing and timing?
Electronic medical records and the emergency room
When implemented successfully, a high-quality ED medical record should help better capture the process of evaluation, management, medical decision-making, and disposition of a patient.
Pregnant women with HIV – the use of Retrovir to prevent transmission to your baby
Zidovudine is a prescription anti-HIV medicine commonly sold under the brand name “Retrovir,” and has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of HIV and prevention of mother-to-child transmission.
Case example: Failure to Diagnose Symptoms in the ER
A man with severe headaches who dies from a ruptured aneurysm one month later could have been saved.