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, Methodist, or Sutter.
(Please also note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the participants in this wrongful death lawsuit and its proceedings.)
For two (2) days, 48 hours, after the Decedent’s white blood cell count increased to 13.2 on December 30, 2008, and to 19.2 on December 31, 2008, and he showed other telltale symptoms or signs of sepsis, rapid increase in temperature, persistent tachycardia (rapid heart beat), and increasing agitation, medical personnel at National Hospital failed to treat him for sepsis. It was not until January 2, 2009, medical personnel begin to look for a source of his infection and ordered cultures and antibiotics. Before they could begin to treat the Decedent appropriately for sepsis or presumed Fournier’s Gangrene. It was much too late. David White expired.
The care and treatment medical personnel at National Hospital rendered the Decedent fell below the standard of care. The standard of care required medical personnel to immediately initiate broad spectrum antibiotics and have the patient undergo surgical debridement without waiting to identify a source or cause of the infection.
Defendant’s standard of care witness, James G. Chin, M.D., in his Declaration mentions that the Decedent’s temperature on January 1, 2009 was 103.2 and his white blood cell count was 18.5.
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
Without disclosing it was not until January 2, Dr. Chin mentions that a small hematoma on the Decedent’s neck was aspirated and ruled out as the source of the infection. Dr. Chin does not acknowledge the Decedent exhibited other documented symptoms and signs of sepsis during the critical 2-day period before antibiotics were eventually ordered on January 2, 2009. Thus, genuine issues of material fact exists for trial as to whether or not this Defendant met the standard of care. Defendant’s motion for summary judgment must be denied and overruled. (See Part 3 of 8.)
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.