subject: Even Though Patient Was Experiencing Problem In Pregnancy Physicians Did Not React To Warning Signs [print this page] Even Though Patient Was Experiencing Problem In Pregnancy Physicians Did Not React To Warning Signs
As the time for the delivery of one's baby approaches many feelings go through the expectant parent. One thought stands apart from all the others let my baby be healthy. And to protect the unborn child's health parents put themselves and their unborn child in the hands of doctors and nurses. Indeed, they are the professionals with the training, skill and experience to handle any problems that might come up.
However , all too often some physicians, when confronted with information about the existence of indications of a likely dangerous complication, such as a placental abruption, look as if either (1) ignore the evidence if it is given to them by nurses or junior doctors or (2) be too busy with other issues to pay attention and take proper action. And when this happens nurses and junior doctors occasionally fail to seek out others who have the authority to take reasonable action.
One type of serious problem is a placental abruption. A Placental abruption is a situation wherein the placenta, which provides nutrients and oxygen to the unborn child, separates prematurely from the mother's uterus. As this happens blood vessels are torn and the ensuing blood loss can deprive the baby of necessary oxygen and may result in having the mother go into shockk.
So, taking note that the expectant mother has had a placental abruption and taking proper steps immediately is critical. Yet, physicians sometimes fail to figure out that a placental abruption is occurring and so fail to act in time to safeguard the health of the baby. The effect may be a severe injury to, or even the death of, the baby. Consider what took place in a reported case in which an expectant mother, at full term, was admitted to the hospital for labor and delivery of her baby.
The woman was examined and later followed by a resident. The resident's supervisor was a family practice physician. During this time, the resident determined that there were indications that the woman's unborn child was suffering from fetal distress. The resident apprised the supervising doctor of this but the supervising doctor dismissed the resident's concerns without as much as examining the woman or reading the output of the fetal heart rate monitor. The resident then brought the matter to the attention of the hospital's on-call obstetrician. Again, this doctor did not examine the expectant mother, failed to read the fetal monitoring strips, and failed to take any steps to evaluate the matter. Again, the resident's concerns were dismissed. Yet, the monitor continued to show fetal distress.
Ultimately, the woman suffered a placental abruption. Even when this happened, the resident could not reach the supervising physician or the obstetrician. Given the urgency of the situation, the resident went forward with an emergency C-section despite the fact that the hospital had not authorized the resident to do a C-section. Sadly, with the lack of oxygen from the placental abruption the child had already suffered severe hypoxic brain damage. The law firm that handled this case published that they achieved a settlement. The settlement amount was undisclosed but did include a $20 Million Life Care Plan for the child.
This form of breakdown in procedure, may as in this lawsuit, end up in severe harm to patients. Whatever the reason why the 2 board certified physicians decided not to act, the result was a medical malpractice lawsuit. Given the severitye and permanent nature of the harm to the baby it is clear that these sorts of cases may have a substantial value.
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