Mothers Death

[uniccco]

What is the name of your state? NC MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY ON MARCH 6 OF THIS YEAR WE TOOK HER TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A KIDNEY STONE ON MARCH 3 WELL WE TOOK HER BACK COMPLAINING OF SEVERE PAIN AND DIFFICULTY BREATHING AND SHE SAID HER HEART FELT LIKE IT WAS FLUTTERING WELL THE EMERGENCY ROOM SENT HER HOME CHANGED HER KIDNEY STONE MEDICINE AND SHE DIED THE NEXT DAY WELL WE FOUND OUT THE CAUSE WAS A PULMONARY THROMBOLISM HOW COULD THEY HAVE MISSED THIS AND CAN I SUE

Originally posted by uniccco
What is the name of your state? NC MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY ON MARCH 6 OF THIS YEAR WE TOOK HER TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A KIDNEY STONE ON MARCH 3 WELL WE TOOK HER BACK COMPLAINING OF SEVERE PAIN AND DIFFICULTY BREATHING AND SHE SAID HER HEART FELT LIKE IT WAS FLUTTERING WELL THE EMERGENCY ROOM SENT HER HOME CHANGED HER KIDNEY STONE MEDICINE AND SHE DIED THE NEXT DAY WELL WE FOUND OUT THE CAUSE WAS A PULMONARY THROMBOLISM HOW COULD THEY HAVE MISSED THIS AND CAN I SUE

Pain in the upper region of the back and shortness of breath should have alerted the second doctor (or was he the same doctor?) to a problem in the chest. You might excuse the first doctor, although it sounds as if he was not too thorough. You can not excuse the second doctor, even if he was the same guy, for not being alarmed at shortness of breath. I suspect your mother was exhibiting more signs that should have pointed to a problem in the lungs. Had he done further examination he would have found evidence of pulmonary embolus. Signs that would have been present would be an increased anxiety (air hunger), a frightened expression, and pallor, pulse rate that was difficult to read or some other sign that a doctor should see.
You don't describe the emergency department. I suspect it was either a small department with on-call doctors, or one that was always too busy to give the proper attention to its patients. Most good ER doctors will investigate shortness of breath in an older patient fairly thoroughly because they would suspect heart trouble. From there they would stumble onto the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.
Should you sue? Yes. You should start looking for a good malpractice lawyer now. Work quickly so he can get the post right away, and perhaps enlist the pathologist's help. Or, so he can have an independent post run in case some sleight of hand is in the works.

[ellencee]

Jack
It is delightful to read your descriptions of patient's presentations and disease etiologies. My reading of your information on such must be what it is like for the attorneys to read the 'legal' advice that I and others provide on this forum. Your information is correct, but reveals that you're not experienced in the 'real thing', as in being a nurse or physician with real experience.

I just don't think enough information was provided or can be provided without reviewing the medical records for the physical findings by all RNs and MDs who assessed the client.

I recognize that the physician may have assumed that the woman was showing signs of severe pain from kidney stones and failed to diagnose through x-rays and such to rule out anything other than kidney stones. That could constitute a negligent act.

I agree with you that the poster should seek legal counsel now; but, I want to take away some of the 'yes you have a case' feel to the situation.

Even if she had been properly diagnosed and treated, would she have survived the pulmonary embolism or thrombolism? That depends on many factors, none of which we have available from the posted information. Certainly, it appears she was denied the opportunity to be treated.

No x-ray or test of any type is available to compare the size of the thrombolism at the time of the ER visit to the size of the thrombolism at the time of death.

Please don't misintrepret what I have said; I agree that the situation deserves a closer look and prompt legal counsel. I'm not so sure it will be a slam dunk win for the poster.