Surgery may be an uneasy undertaking for some patients in Hawaii, but most likely believe, that in the hands of a qualified surgeon, all will go as planned. However, when a health care provider makes a surgical error, such as failing to inform a patient of proper follow-up procedures, patients can be seriously injured. The estate of a patient who died months after surgery claims that the performing surgeon failed the victim on multiple occasions, which ultimately resulted in his death.
In 2009, the patient was receiving treatment for a mass in his pancreas as well as cholestatic liver function. As part of his treatment for the mass, he had a stint implanted. A further evaluation prompted two additional procedures to be performed. In Oct. 2009, over two months after being admitted under the doctor’s care, he was released. However, the stint he had implanted was only meant to be a temporary measure.
The next year, the patient developed a serious septic infection. As no one had informed the patient about the stint, he was unaware that it needed to be removed sometime in the three months following its implantation. When it was finally determined that it was only meant to be a temporary measure, it was eventually removed and replaced by a more permanent stint. Despite this, the suit claims that since it was not removed in a timely manner, his wound was never able to heal. He ultimately died.
A medical malpractice claim has been filed on behalf of his estate, and it names two doctors as well as the hospital for the surgical error that may have led to his death. Those errors include failing to properly inform the patient about the temporary nature of the stint and failing to meet the standard of care, as well as multiple other claims. Hawaii families who have lost a loved one due to serious negligence or the error of a doctor or hospital may seek justice for the patient on behalf of his or her estate. If successfully litigated, the victim’s estate may be compensated for various expenses, such as funeral costs or even medical bills incurred during his or her final days.
Source: louisianarecord.com, “Medical malpractice lawsuit filed by estate of patient who allegedly suffered septic infection due to implant“, Kyle Barnett, Aug. 7, 2014