Pennsylvania physicians Lawrence Wean, MD, and John Kotyo, MD, were found guilty of negligence in the care of a patient who later died of sepsis, according to a Delco Times report.
Janice Heffner was admitted to Riddle Hospital's emergency department for stomach pains and constipation. X-rays showed no bowel perforation, though a medical examiner's report after her death showed a microperforation.
According to the complaint filed against the physicians by Ms. Heffner's husband, Dr. Wean suspected the patient had sepsis after being admitted but did not document the suspicion, administer medications quickly enough, consult Dr. Kyoto (the physician on duty) or move Ms. Heffner to the ICU. An attorney representing Dr. Wean argued Dr. Wean did everything he could, according to the report.
Additionally, the complaint said Dr. Kyoto assumed Ms. Heffner was suffering from alcohol withdrawal. Ms. Heffner died 14 hours after being admitted. The jury that ruled the physicians provided negligent care also awarded Mr. Heffner $3.8 million.
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Janice Heffner was admitted to Riddle Hospital's emergency department for stomach pains and constipation. X-rays showed no bowel perforation, though a medical examiner's report after her death showed a microperforation.
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According to the complaint filed against the physicians by Ms. Heffner's husband, Dr. Wean suspected the patient had sepsis after being admitted but did not document the suspicion, administer medications quickly enough, consult Dr. Kyoto (the physician on duty) or move Ms. Heffner to the ICU. An attorney representing Dr. Wean argued Dr. Wean did everything he could, according to the report.
Additionally, the complaint said Dr. Kyoto assumed Ms. Heffner was suffering from alcohol withdrawal. Ms. Heffner died 14 hours after being admitted. The jury that ruled the physicians provided negligent care also awarded Mr. Heffner $3.8 million.
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