It is worth noting that situations similar to those described in this medical malpractice case could just as easily occur at any of the healthcare facilities in the area, such as Kaiser Permanente, UC Davis Medical Center, Mercy, or Sutter.
(Please also note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the participants in this personal injury case and its proceedings.)
SUMMARY OF FACTS
Donna Hill, date of birth XX/XX/1934, had been a patient of Dr. Black’s for a number of years prior to March, 2006. She had undergone colonoscopies in 2000, 2003, and an esophagogastroduodonoscopy in 2001. The colonoscopies were primarily for evaluation of colonic polyps after she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001.
On March 7, 2006, the patient returned to Dr. Black for a routine screening colonoscopy. She had no colon symptoms at the time and a colonoscopy was schedule for March 23, 2006, at the Universal Endoscopy Center.
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
On March 23, 2006, the patient presented for her colonoscopy as scheduled. She had no complaints and there were no abnormalities noted on her physical exam, including the abdomen. She had undergone the normal bowel prep in anticipation of the procedure.
After placing the patient in the left lateral decubitus position, a digital rectal exam and visual inspection of the perineum was performed. Thereafter, the colonscope was gently inserted into the rectum. Almost immediately, Dr. Black encountered “debris” (possibly granulation tissue) in the sigmoid, that appeared partially attached to the lumen.
As is routine, Dr. Black inflated the sigmoid with air, in part to attempt to clear the debris be encountered. After doing so it was clear that the involved are was necrotic or ischemic. He noted what appeared to be muscle, indicating a pre-existing fistula or partial perforation. Dr. Black is confident that he did nut perforate the area, as the wound was clearly not fresh. A sample of the tissue was resected and sent to pathology. Photographs were taken.
The procedure was stopped at that point and the colonscope removed. The patient was sent to the recovery room where she complained of abdominal pain and nausea. She informed the nurse that she had abdominal pain three days prior but that she did not tell the doctor. Nursing also noted subcutaneous emphysema. Dr. Black transferred her to the National Medical Center emergency room.
In the emergency room she was diagnosed with a probable bowel perforation for winch she underwent a exploratory laparotomy, sigmoid resection and colostomy that same day. At surgery Dr. Kevin White found evidence of a 60% perforation” in the distal sigmoid, approximately S cm from the rectosigmoid junction. Upon entering the abdomen, he noted extensive subcutaneous emphysema and approximately 500 ml of turbid, yellowish, non-foul smelling fluid in the pelvis and left gutter. He resected the bowel and created a colostomy The patient tolerated the procedure well. (See Part 3 of 5.)
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.