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.)
A Genuine Issue of Fact Exists for Trial Whether or Not the the Care and Treatment of the Decedent Fell Below the Standard of Care.
Plaintiff’s offers expert medical testimony that the care and treatment rendered the Decedent fell below the standard of care. Plaintiff’s evidence shows that for two (2) days, 48 hours, Defendants failed to treat the Decedent with broad spectrum antibiotics and surgical debridement. When Defendants got around to ordering broad spectrum antibiotics and considered surgical debridement it was too late. The need to immediately start the Decedent on a broad spectrum of antibiotics should have been apparent to the medical personnel who were caring for him. On December 31, 2008, the Decedent had multiple signs of sepsis. He had rapid increase in temperature, dramatic increase in white blood cell count, persistent tachycardia (rapid heart beat), and increasing agitation. These are telltale symptoms and sign of sepsis.
The previous day, December 30, the Decedent’s white blood cell count jumped from 8.1 to 13.2, and, on December 31, his white blood cell count increased to 19.2, and, by 4 p.m., his temperature jumped to 102 degrees.
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
The Decedent continued to have fevers throughout the night and continued with increasing temperatures on January 1 to 103.5 degrees by 6 a.m. Yet, the medical personnel caring for the Decedent did not seek a source of the infections and order cultures until 10:30 am, on January 2, and they did not order antibiotics until 3 pm on January 2, 2009. By then, it was much too late. (See Part 8 of 8.)
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.