Anesthesia Malpractice in Outpatient Surgery Clinics
Anyone who has gotten the bill after a hospital stay understands why people breathe a sigh of relief when a doctor tells them that it is possible to perform the surgery they need on an outpatient basis. Recovering from surgery in a hospital is unpleasant; you are disoriented because of painkillers, and you cannot get into a comfortable position because of the IV line connected to your arm and the awkward shape of the hospital bed, and when the nurses help you to the bathroom, it is an entirely unfamiliar bathroom. When you get to go home after surgery, you are still disoriented from painkillers, and you might not be able to sleep in your usual position, but at least you can prop yourself up on your own pillows in your own bed, supplementing them with pillows from your own couch if necessary, and your own family members can help you to your own bathroom. Surgical procedures that surgeons can perform in outpatient clinics usually require a lower level of anesthesia that what inpatient surgeries require, but anesthesiologists are still present, and the standard of care requires them to bring a “crash cart” of medications they can use to reverse adverse effects of anesthesia drugs, as well as to follow other safety protocols. If you got injured due to an anesthesiologist’s error during an outpatient surgical procedure, contact a Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice attorney.
Family Sues After Recent Graduate Dies of Malignant Hyperthermia During Outpatient Surgery
In 2008, toward the end of her senior year of high school, Stephanie Kuleba of West Palm Beach underwent an elective surgery to correct an inverted areola and to make her breasts more symmetrical. The surgery took place at an outpatient cosmetic surgery clinic. During the surgery, Stephanie’s temperature began to rise to dangerous levels, a condition called malignant hyperthermia, which can result from a reaction to anesthesia drugs. Because malignant hyperthermia is a known risk of anesthesia, the standard of care requires anesthesiologists to carry Dantrium, a muscle relaxant which is the only drug known to be effective against malignant hyperthermia. The outpatient clinic did not have any Dantrium, and the doctors called Delray Medical Center to have Stephanie transported there. When she arrived, the doctors administered Dantrium and brought her temperature down, but she had already suffered irreversible damage, and she died the following day. She was 18 years old.
Stephanie’s parents sued the surgeon and anesthesiologist present during the surgery that led to Stephanie’s death. They claimed that they breached the standard of care by performing the surgery at the clinic without any Dantrium present, when they should have been aware of the risk of malignant hyperthermia. The board eventually cleared the doctors of liability.
Set Up a Consultation Today
A personal injury lawyer can help you if you suffered injuries arising from complications from anesthesia during a surgical procedure performed at an outpatient clinic. Contact Boone & Davis in Fort Lauderdale, Florida or call 954-566-9919 to explore your potential recovery options today.
Source:
aboutlawsuits.com/anesthesia-malpractice-lawsuit-malignant-hyperthermia-death-6174/
