Articles Posted in Physician Negligence

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Craig Beaubien was referred to a hematologist, Dr. Charu Trivedi, to determine the cause of an abnormal blood test showing a high hematocrit level. When the hematocrit value is high, the proportion of red blood cells in the blood is higher than normal. This can indicate dehydration, a disorder that causes the body to produce too many red blood cells, such as polycythemia vera, or lung or heart disease.

Dr. Trivedi allegedly determined that kidney cancer was one of the possible causes for the hematocrit result, but did not order any diagnostic testing to rule out the cancer.

Approximately seven months later, Beaubien developed headaches. He underwent imaging, which showed an 8.3 cm tumor in his kidney. The tumor was cancerous and had metastasized to the brain. As a result, Beaubien underwent radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and surgery. Despite this treatment, he died. He was survived by his wife.
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A Missouri Appellate Court held that a patient suing a healthcare provider for improperly accessing confidential information was not required to file an affidavit of merit. In Illinois, an affidavit of merit under Illinois Code of Civil Procedures,735 ILCS 5/2-622, is required in filing a medical malpractice lawsuit as is the case in Missouri.

In the related case, J.J., a minor, received inpatient treatment at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. A facility employee, who was not involved in J.J.’s treatment, allegedly accessed his medical records and revealed to her daughter, a former girlfriend of J.J., that he was receiving inpatient treatment.

J.J. was a student. Other students at J.J.’s school learned of this information, leading to harassment and bullying.
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Jay West, 59, cut the fingertip of his left thumb while using a table saw. He went to Springhill Medical Center where he was advised that a fingertip amputation was medically necessary.

After the surgery, his treating surgeon wrote an order authorizing up to 4 mg of IV Dilaudid every three hours.

West was moved to the orthopedic floor, where a nurse administered 8 mg of IV Dilaudid in a course of two hours. Almost four hours later, West was found unresponsive. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. West had been a carpenter. He was survived by his wife and two adult children.
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