Coumadin - scary medicine!
Posted by
Lauren EllermanNovember 16, 2007 10:10 AMWe 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 a lawsuit for $5,000,000. The plaintiff was admitted at age 44, after suffering a heart attack. The physician did not prescribe a blood thinner, and within ten days of discharge, a clot occurred causing a stroke and permanent paralysis.
That is scary stuff - so after ANY kind of surgery, ask "Am I on a blood thinner?" Why? Why not? How will you monitor my blood levels?
For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices and Implants.
The right dose and medicine, could save your life.