EMS Compartment Syndrome [Part 1]
Case #83
A 25-year-old man with type I diabetes was found unresponsive in his bed.
911 was called.
The patient was extremely hypoglycemic on arrival.
A paramedic started on IV, and started pushing D50.
As the patient regained consciousness, he began flailing his arms.
There was a baby on the bed, and the paramedic scrambled to keep the patient and baby safe.
They pushed half of the amp of D50 before realizing something was wrong.
On arrival to the ED, the patient had severe right arm pain where the IV was placed.
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The ER doctor’s note is shown below:
Labs and an x-ray were ordered:
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The patient was started on D5 through a good IV.
He was given multiple doses of morphine over the next hours.
A hand surgeon was consulted due to concern for compartment syndrome.
He saw the patient, and immediately took him to the OR for fasciotomies.
The patient was left with permanent disability of his right arm.
A lawsuit was filed against the EMS company (not the paramedics, ER doctor, or hand surgeon).
A hand surgeon (orthopedic training) was hired to conduct an independent medical examination (IME) for the lawsuit:
A paramedic was hired by the plaintiff:
"I always enjoy reading these and find them applicable to my practice as a hospitalist." - Dr. Emily Rushing.
A paramedic was hired to defend the care the paramedics provided.
The plaintiff offered to settle for $1.5M.
The defense refused and the case went to trial.
What do you think the legal outcome will be?
Read the final outcome and arguing about the expert witness fees: