A lawsuit was filed over the patient’s death. The defendants named in the lawsuit included both ED physicians, their employer, the hospital where the ED is located, the surgeon, and the surgery center.
The ED physician who discharged her with a heart rate of 142bpm shortly before her death was deposed. Here he is being asked about the probability that she would have survived if he had admitted her to the hospital as opposed to discharging her:
He was then asked about his physical exam and a few details about his documentation:
Next, the first ER physician was deposed. He is the one who initially saw the patient, ordered labs and a CT, and consulted the patient’s surgeon prior to discharging the patient. It is available below for email subscribers.
What do you think the outcome of the trial will be? Do you feel that either physician was negligent?