Lung Cancer Missed Pre-Op

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A 65 year old man known to vascular surgery was scheduled for a right leg arteriogram for suspected occlusion of blood flow to the lower extremity.

He presented to pre admissions testing (PAT) clinic prior to his procedure.

There he saw an NP who performed an H&P and ordered lab work, an EKG, and a chest x-ray.

Here are the CXR results.

This study was timely read by the radiologist, with the results sent to the PAT NP, as well as the vascular surgery PA.

The patient underwent an arteriogram on day 1 with anesthesiologist Dr. A.

The patient underwent a balloon angioplasty and vein graft on day 2 with anesthesiologist Dr. W.

The patient was discharged a week later, having never been informed of his abnormal CXR.

2 years later the patient was diagnosed with lung cancer.

After 2 years of treatment, he died from metastatic lung cancer.

His widow sued the hospital, NP, PA, radiologist, vascular surgeon, both anesthesiologists, and the anesthesia group.

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The defense hired an anesthesiology expert:

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