Physical Assistant Malpractices (Essay Sample)

Physical Assistant Malpractices
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A physical assistant is demarcated by the American Medical Association as a properly skilled practitioner qualified by his or her academics and practical trainings under the administration of a licensed physician. As of recent years, Physical Assistants have grown in number and so have their incidences of malpractice increased. These malpractices are more than often taken legal procedures against the physical assistant and the health practitioner. Below is an instance of a malpractice, that culminated to a legal procedure being held against the physician and their physical assistant.
In December 4th 2001, Lynn Flaherty was unwell and decided to visit her family doctor’s office situated in Mt.Lebanon. She had been suffering from headaches and nasal discharge; symptoms that are consistent with a sinus infection. The physical assistant that examined her failed to make these diagnosis or to at least prescribe some antibiotics for her. Lynn received prescription for steroids and was instructed to return in a week’s time after she undergoes additional testing.
However, after only five days, she succumbed some stroke related symptoms that included disorientation and facial drooping. She went to hospital in the emergency room at St. Claire where a CT scan revealed a brain abscess. She immediately was flown to a hospital with professional facilities for undertaking brain surgery; explained Mr. Stephen Del Sole, her attorney. Before Allegheny County judge Jeffrey, the jury awarded Mrs. Lynn and her husband a 3 million dollar medical malpractice verdict, which took 8 days of trial.
The defendants; Dr.Lesley DeGiovonni, Dr.John Montini and their physical assistant Kellie Egidi pleaded not guilty. They claimed that the plaintiff was served appropriately in their work premises and they had complete confidence and trust with the physical assistant. Read from the paperwork submitted Drs. Lesley and John claimed they would cross-examine every patient treated by Ms. Egidi. Lynn’s attorney on the other hand claimed that the doctors in the office failed to follow protocol they had put in when employing a physical assistant and elucidated that the testimony was undisputed and if they indeed implemented what they said reading from their submitted paper work, the plaintiff would be feeling a little better, but instead she was prescribed steroids that experts said would exacerbated the plaintiff’s ailment.
The attorney continued that following the first emergency brain surgical procedure, Mrs. Lynn had a part of her skull detached and went into a respiratory failure. She was in a ventilator and later on had to have a follow-up surgery. Since then her skull has been replaced with a plastic ornament. She also went to a rehabilitation center to learn how to walk again and regain the skill to function in her daily life. She lost all her peripheral visions on her left side; she has balance troubles and nerve injury on her right leg. At the age of 61she has been unable to recollect herself health wise and incapable of resuming to her work as a real estate agent. It is considered that Mrs. Lynn Flaherty is cons...