Emergency Medicine Physicians Opine on Inadequate Treatment of Snakebite

ByJoseph O'Neill

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Published on November 1, 2016

This case involves a 50-year-old man who presented to the emergency room after being bitten by a snake. The ER staff failed to adequately diagnose the bite or recognize the incipient infection. He was discharged promptly and no tests were ordered, nor was medication prescribed. Days later, the patient presented to another hospital as his condition worsened, ultimately requiring a month long hospital stay and numerous treatments as a result of the venom injury. An expert was retained to review the patient’s medical records and determine if the standard of care was breached by the first ER for failing to adequately work the patient up and treat him appropriately.

Emergency Medicine Expert Witness

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Please describe your expertise in the treatment of patients who present with snake bites. 2. Have you ever published / lectured / created guidelines for ER snake bite protocol and work up? 3. Is it ever appropriate to withhold care from a patient who presents with envenomation and signs of infection from a snake?

Expert Witness Response E-009457

inline imageI am a practicing academic physician teaching residents in emergency medicine as a professor at a medical school in a region of Texas where snake bites are common. I have treated many snake bite patients during my years of practice, several of which required antivenin and hospitalization. I also worked on a clinical research trial testing a new antivenin. The standard of care is to monitor patients with snake bites and to prescribe antibiotics if there are signs of bacterial infection; snake bites can become severely inflamed with or without infection. Given that I am not conflicted with the defendants, I would be happy to review the case.

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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