A sneaky surgical emergency: Acute compartment syndrome. Retrospective analysis of 66 closed claims, medico-legal pitfalls and damages evaluation.
Injury
; 45 Suppl 6: S16-20, 2014 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25457313
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a clinical condition with potentially dramatic consequences, therefore, it is important to recognise and treat it early. Good management of ACS minimises or avoids the sequelae associated with a late diagnosis, and may also reduce the risk of malpractice claims. The aim of this article was to evaluate different errors ascribed to the surgeon and to identify how the damage was evaluated. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
A total of 66 completed and closed ACS cases were selected. The following were analysed for each case clinical management before and after diagnosis of ACS, imputed errors, professional fault, damage evaluation and quantification. Particular attention was paid to distinguishing between impairment because of primary injury and iatrogenic impairment. Statistical analyses were performed using Fisher's exact test and Pearson's correlation.RESULTS:
The most common presenting symptom was pain. Delay in the diagnosis, and hence delay in decompression, was common in the study. A total of 48 out of 66 cases resolved with the verdict of iatrogenic damage, which varied from 12% to 75% of global capability of the person. A total of $394,780 out of $574,680 (average payment) derived from a medical error.CONCLUSIONS:
ACS is a clinical emergency that requires continuous clinical surveillance from both medical and nursing staff. The related damage should be evaluated in two parts damage deriving from the trauma, so that it is considered inevitable and independent from the surgeon's conduct, and damage deriving from a surgeon's error, which is eligible for an indemnity payment.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Síndromes Compartimentais
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Erros Médicos
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Procedimentos Ortopédicos
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Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência
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Doença Iatrogênica
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Seguro de Responsabilidade Civil
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
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Etiology_studies
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Observational_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Aged80
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Child
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Child, preschool
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
País como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2014
Tipo de documento:
Article