The Medical Malpractice Curriculum for Emergency Physicians

Malpractice is a topic that is often avoided in medical training. We arguably spend more time learning to perform once-in-a-lifetime/never-in-a-lifetime procedures than we learn about something that is very likely to occur in our career. According to the American Medical Associations’ Physician Practice Information survey in 2007-2008, 75% of emergency physicians over the age of 55 years old reported having ever been sued. Additionally, 30.9% of emergency medicine respondents reported being sued at least two times, with 109 claims per 100 physicians who responded…

Legal, Conference RecapsGuest UserOctober 19, 2020malpractice, medicolegal, lawsuitComment

Non-Accidental Trauma

A hypothetical 7 month-old infant presents to the emergency department for mild respiratory distress. There is no recent illness or symptoms to explain the infant’s tachypnea and mild hypoxia. There is no visible bruising on exam. The parent states that the infant is starting to pull to stand but does not yet cruise. They have had several falls onto their tile kitchen floor. The CXR (below) is read by the radiologist left posterior rib fractures in ribs 4-8…

Orthopedics, PediatricsGuest UserAugust 2, 2019Orthopedics, PediatricsComment

Seatbelt Sign of the Neck in Pediatric Trauma

The patient is a 11 y.o. male with no past medical history who presents as trauma activation after MVC. Patient was the restrained front seat passenger in a head on collision. Denies LOC. Per EMS, patient was found in police cruiser on arrival, patient states he walked at scene. +Seatbelt sign. Vitals stable. Patient states his pain is worst in his neck, rates pain 6/10. Denies numbness/tingling…

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