Got a question

Had a defibrillator implanted in Florida after a V-fib arrest. The device was tested on the table and didn't work (failed to convert induced V-fib) in four tries. Was discharged home to North Carolina after a few days with a device that had never been shown to work, and advised to consult an electrophysiologist ASAP. Two days later it began to fire although heart rate was in the 80's. Upon (emergency) evaluation the lead was noted to be displaced by 4 inches or more. Had to be redone. Did someone screw up?

6 Comments

CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE

by pete - 2010-04-07 03:04:09

I was discharged on the basis that my condition was "STABILISED" No doctor came to see me to check on my condition. The decision having been made remotely on pure guesswork so that my bed could be given to someone else. I was in reality absolutely at deaths door. And I knew it, oh yes.3 days later I was back in hospital with still nobody taking any notice or checking on me. I was just left in a bed and totally ignored, it was the weekend and in the UK most doctors get the weekend off leaving a few trainee doctors and a skeleton staff. In the UK you must try not to get ill at the weekend. I was going down hill fast and I managed to telephone the wife who came in early 15 minutes before visiting time. She was told off by the nurses (who were also ignoring me) and told to come back later. Fortunately I was in a bed opposite the nurses station and when my wife turned around and spotted me she was horrified and demanded a doctor. Only a student doctor came and my wife had to complain again for a heart doctor. One was not available for some time even though it was a monday. By the time a heart doctor arrived he apologised and said he was sorry but was in surgery. He also said that it was too late to save me and that he was very very sorry. My wife was told to say goodbye. Miracles can happen and fortunately did. Join the club !! Cheers Peter

Wow

by walkerd - 2010-04-07 06:04:32

thats all I can say, I think I would have someones ummm in my hand. I think I would be on the phone with someone if I wasnt I know my wife would have been no it wouldnt have happened without an explanation from someone before they sent me home.

dave

Consult an attorney

by heartu - 2010-04-07 10:04:26

You could always consult a malpractice attorney. Many work without any fees, but if you have a case and settle would just take a percentage of your settlement.

My dad's doctor screwed up royally and tried to tell my mom it was because of his age (86). I consulted the attorney and my mom got a nice settlement. Paid for my dad's funeral and other medical expenses. But my dad was irreplaceable and no amount of money would have been enough, but the doctor was punished so other patients did not have to sucumb to his shoddy treatment.

In a word, YES

by ElectricFrank - 2010-04-07 12:04:41

To start with I can't believe they would discharge you with a known cardiac arrest and a defective ICD implant. Wow!

Look at it this way: If your condition was such that you needed an ICD then you were a walking time bomb if it wasn't working. If your condition was such that you could safely handle a trip home without a working ICD or other type of support, then you didn't need the ICD in the first place.

This is one of those places where I catch heck, but I can't come up with anything but unethical, incompetent action on the part of the Florida doc. Of course I am basing my conclusions solely on your information, but I have no reason to doubt it.

If it were me I would order my medical records from the Florida facility, look them over, and at least file a complaint with the medical board.

Anyone want to show me where I am wrong? I'm trying to learn.

frank

Possible issues

by jvaltos - 2010-04-07 12:04:59

Just a few initial thoughts.

1. The initial implanter may have done every thing correctly and wanted to have you see an EP to but in a subcutaneous array. A way to improve the functioning of the defibrillator.

2. Having said that, a more likely scenario is that the defib lead was not able to adequately capture the ventricle. In other words, it could have been moved and more attempts could have been made to defibrillate you.

3. The above scenario (#2) probably means the lead was not secured properly (that's why the defibrillation didn't work) and why is dislodged (happens about 2% of the time.)

4. Of course #1 is possible, and that the lead simply fell out and the repositioning is all that you needed.

I couldn't tell you if anyone screwed up, but I have heard you story before.

Good Luck
Dr JV

Medical errors and incompetence

by ElectricFrank - 2010-04-08 02:04:15

It would be easy to write off reports like those above to upset and angry patients if it weren't for the statistical data that is available. Depending on the study there are 40,000 up deaths/year in the US due to medical errors. Even if we account for some that would have died anyway the number is high enough to indicate a problem.

I've mentioned it previously, but it is worth saying again. When my wife was in a coma for 4 days after a major hemorrhagic stroke I stayed with her in ICU constantly and monitored her care. Just a couple examples.

* Blood thinners prescribed by the ICU doctor. Would have killed her if I didn't intercept it. He just looked at her chart, saw stroke and didn't notice the type.

* She showed signs of developing an allergic reaction to an infusion of platelet's. When I alerted the ICU nurse she just wrote it off as monitoring error. Her BP was dropping rapidly and HR rising. I turned off the platelet drip and she slowly began to recover. They were going to ban me from the ICU until I let them know I would subpoena the monitoring data records and take action.

In each case I calmly pointed out a problem and only became aggressive when it was obvious they weren't going to listen to me. When the situation was over I returned to being friendly.

All I can say at this point is that it is our responsibility to monitor our care and speak up. Otherwise, we roll the dice.

frank

You know you're wired when...

Born to be Wired is your theme song.

Member Quotes

Life does not stop with a pacemaker, even though it caught me off guard.