Medical Malpractice

• Pill Pushers!

  Lauren Ellerman | December 07, 2007 10:17 AM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  This is one of those issues that generally concerns me - and one I am glad to see is being addressed by others. Direct marketing of pharmaceuticals, to consumers. You know - "Lipitor" ads on Monday night football - Boniva ads during Desperate House Wives. I like Sally Fields, but shouldn't she be selling Boniva to my doctor - and my doctor learn enough that she can recommend for my needs? A...

• Rhode Island Jury Awards $5.8 Million in Medical Malpractice Case

  Dan Frith | December 04, 2007 6:20 AM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  The patient twisted and broke his left ankle. He also suffered from diabetes and poor circulation and he developed blisters as his ankle swelled. He was seen by a surgeon at the local hospital and, due to the blisters, the surgeon postponed the repair procedure for one week to allow time for the blisters to heal. However, a week later the doctor neglected to inspect the ankle before his...

• Avandia causes new problems?

  Lauren Ellerman | December 03, 2007 9:03 AM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  About six months ago, there was a deluge of articles and news features on the dangers of Avandia, a medication most often prescribed to diabetics. The news then, was that Avandia caused or contributed to heart problems.Well, as they say, the more things change, the more things stay the same.Today, researching are reporting the medication may also contribute to bone loss, or osteoporosis. As the...

• CT Scans may cause cancer?

  Lauren Ellerman | November 29, 2007 9:39 AM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  Another study - another outcome... Study warns that 2% of all cancer cases, may actually be caused by radiation from CT scans. The study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, as reported on by most major news outlets, encourages radiologists to consider whether all the extra testing is needed.As CBS news reported, "We are very concerned about the built-up public health risk over a...

• Malpractice Reforms Help the Insurance Industry But Harm Patients

  Dan Frith | November 27, 2007 3:56 PM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  We have now all heard the sad story about how doctors are getting out of medicine due to the high costs of medical malpractice insurance. I don't doubt that some doctors with atrocious track records of providing poor medical care pay hefty malpractice premiums. I also don't doubt that the insurance carriers and the executives who run them are making piles of money providing medical malpractice...

• Politics and Healthcare

  Lauren Ellerman | November 26, 2007 11:00 AM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  How will our next President feel about tort reform? Medicare? Health insurance for all? What about healthcare in children - will they have a plan?So many candidates, so many ideas... and yes, they are only ideas. You can say that Gov. Romney, or Sen. Clinton have plans, but it takes a few in congress to make that plan a reality.This morning I heard an interesting feature on NPR about national...

• Illinois Judge Rejects Medical Malpractice Cap

  Dan Frith | November 19, 2007 11:57 AM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  Here is the debate: Lawyers for the victims of medical malpractice say caps on damages work a terrible disadvantage to the most seriously injured patients - those who will live a lifetime of pain and physical limitations. Medical providers claim they need the protection in order to keep their malpractice premiums at a level they can afford. I have two responses: First, excessive malpractice...

• Intubation

  Lauren Ellerman | November 17, 2007 10:17 AM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  Intubation is the insertion of a tube into the patient's airway to allow mechanical ventilation.Car accident victims, someone with swollen airway, difficult breathing - most EMT's, flight nurses, and emergency room physicians know how to create an airway to allow for breathing. You may have even heard urban legends of someone using ball point pens to create airways.They are often required - yet...

• Coumadin - scary medicine!

  Lauren Ellerman | November 16, 2007 10:10 AM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  We have seen many coumadin cases over the years. Post surgery, failure to prescribe, and embolism occurs - causing stroke, death etc. We also see cases where the medication is not properly monitored or levels regulated. It is a difficult medication to prescribe and monitor, but often we see doctors simply forget to prescribe it, or assume another doctor already has.Illinois Hospital settles such...

• Kanye West's Mother Dies from Cosmetic Surgery?

  Dan Frith | November 13, 2007 1:59 PM | 0 CommentsRoanoke, VA

  ABC News is reporting that rap singer Kanye West's mother, Donda West, had a tummy tuck and breast reduction performed by a cosmetic surgeon shortly before her death, according to the Web site TMZ.com. Dr. Jan Adams told TMZ that he was not responsible for her death, but that she may have died from a heart attack, pulmonary embolism or massive vomiting. Another plastic surgeon told ABC News...