Trying to do too much
A PA pays the price when an already busy clinic comes under pressure to increase its volume.
All articles by Case histories by David S. Starr, MD, JD
Eye pain ends in loss of vision
What was thought to be a detached retina turns out to be an ocular infection that leaves the patient severely impaired.
Carcinoma mistaken as scar tissue
A high school athlete’s leg pain is attributed to a previous injury. It turns out to be more serious.
Practice protocol under fire
A clinician’s technique is questioned when a patient’s elbow becomes infected after blood work.
PA misses a fatal condition
A college student collapses and is rushed to the emergency department after her symptoms were misdiagnosed three times.
Do you have a patient on warfarin?
What if the person doesn’t show up for a prothrombin time and then suffers a crippling outcome? Who is responsible?
Potential side effects unexplained
A depressed, middle-aged patient gets more than he bargained for from the trazodone prescribed by his family clinician.
A case of insufficient supervision
A lawsuit involving the death of a diabetic patient tests the relationship between a clinician and his physician boss.
More Than a Headache
A young provider sent the patient home with a prescription for a migraine. It was a big mistake.
Mistaken diagnosis in HIV case
A physician is drawn into malpractice litigation over the management of his first patient who tested HIV-positive.
