Doctors Fail to Diagnose Ischemic Stroke

ByJoseph O'Neill

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Updated onMay 12, 2016

Doctors Fail to Diagnose Ischemic Stroke

This case is located in Louisiana and involves a patient who presented to the emergency department with signs and symptoms of ischemic stroke. The hospital and the defendant doctor contacted another hospital for the purpose of arranging an inter-institutional transfer to obtain a neurology consultation. The doctor at the transfer hospital agreed to accept the patient and undertook the diagnosis, care and treatment of the patient. Upon arrival at the hospital, the patient was admitted to the emergency department and examined by one of the doctors at that facility. It is alleged that the doctors failed to timely examine, diagnose and treat the patient for acute ischemic stroke, including failing to initiate appropriate emergency treatment that could have potentially produced a superior outcome for the plaintiff.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Do you have experience treating patients with signs and symptoms of acute ischemic stroke?

2. Do you have knowledge of the complication that can occur if a stroke is not treated correctly?

3. Can earlier intervention prevent complications?

Expert Witness Response E-008556

inline imageI do have experience in treating these types of cases. I have been involved in transferring patients after initiating t-PA a to a university hospital, and also have experience as the accepting physician at a university hospital. Delaying stroke treatment can have serious complications and increases morbidity and mortality. Earlier intervention can prevent complications for the right patients. It is vital that proper protocols are adhered to throughout any transfer procedure, and that the physicians and institutions involved ensure that they are clearly communicating with one another before, during, and after the transfer to ensure that patients are given the proper care.

About the author

Joseph O'Neill

Joseph O'Neill

Joe has extensive experience in online journalism and technical writing across a range of legal topics, including personal injury, meidcal malpractice, mass torts, consumer litigation, commercial litigation, and more. Joe spent close to six years working at Expert Institute, finishing up his role here as Director of Marketing. He has considerable knowledge across an array of legal topics pertaining to expert witnesses. Currently, Joe servces as Owner and Demand Generation Consultant at LightSail Consulting.

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