Fentanyl Overdose Due to Medical Documentation Error

ByMichael Talve, CEO

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Updated onApril 10, 2018

Fentanyl Overdose Due to Medical Documentation Error

This case involves a fifty-five-year-old female cancer patient who suffered from numerous complications. She remained in good spirits, however, and had the energy to resume near normal activities with sufficient pain medication. She presented to the ER with complaints of severe leg pain and was treated by various physicians who were managing her acute pain. The patient died during the overnight hospital stay. It appears that the cause of death was an overdose of Fentanyl that was ordered and issued at several orders of magnitude above the accepted adult loading dose.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. What are your initial thoughts on the case?

Expert Witness Response E-000365

inline imageA number of fatal Fentanyl overdoses have been directly tied to the drug over the past few years. In particular, manufacturers of time-release Fentanyl patches have come under scrutiny for defective products. While the Fentanyl contained in the patches was safe, a malfunction of the patches caused an excessive amount of Fentanyl to leak and become absorbed by patients, resulting in life-threatening side effects and death. Regardless, Fentanyl is considered the safest opioid medication on the market, as well as the least physically harmful to the body, especially with long-term or life-term use. In this case, it would be considered a breach in care if the patient was prescribed a lethal dose that was not picked up by the pharmacy or nursing staff before being administered.

About the author

Michael Talve, CEO

Michael Talve, CEO

Michael Talve stands at the forefront of legal innovation as the CEO and Managing Director of Expert Institute. Under his leadership, the Expert Institute has established itself as a vital player in the legal technology arena, revolutionizing how lawyers connect with world-class experts and access advanced legal technology. Michael's role involves not only steering the company's strategic direction but also ensuring the delivery of unparalleled intelligence and cutting-edge solutions to legal professionals. His work at Expert Institute has been instrumental in enhancing the capabilities of attorneys in case preparation and execution, making a significant impact on the legal industry's approach to expert consultation and technological integration. Michael's vision and execution have positioned the Expert Institute as a key facilitator in the intersection of law and technology.

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