LA: did lab error result in insulin error?: case against hospital remanded for trial.

CASE FACTS: On June 14, 1999, Dr. Deidre Barfield admitted Juanita Hays to Schumpert Hospital. Hill complained she had nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal weight loss, and weakness for several months. While at the hospital Hill suffered a stroke. She remained in the hospital until July 12, 1999, when she was transferred to a rehabilitation facility. The patient had been admitted to determine the etiology of her symptoms. Tests revealed that the patient's glucose level was elevated. Dr. Barfield ordered insulin. The following morning, Dr. Barfield was provided with corrected lab results, which showed that the patient's glucose level had, in fact, been low. There was no documentation that insulin had been given to the patient. On the afternoon of June 15, 1999, the patient became less responsive and hypotoxic, resulting in her being transferred to the ICU. She was diagnosed with a probable venous thrombus in her left femoral vein and a pulmonary embolus causing oxygenation problems. It was not until June 19 that her chest x-ray began to show bilateral infiltrates consistent with possible pneumonia. She was started on all antibiotic and Ativan for agitation. The patient was transferred to a hospital floor room on June 20, and soft restraints were ordered ,as needed. The patient's family was informed that she be supervised or restrained at all times. On the evening of June 20, after the patient's husband left the hospital, the patient was found alone in her room, sitting in a chair. Her breathing was shallow and her central line had was out of her chest. A code was called. The patient was resuscitated. An MRI, taken on July 12, indicated that the patient had suffered a stroke. On July 12, she was transferred to a rehabilitation facility. Her condition improved, and she made a significant recovery. The patient filed a medical malpractice complaint with the Louisiana Division of Administration, Patient's Compensation Fund. A special panel was convened in November 2002. The panel rendered a decision that the patient's evidence failed to show that patient's healthcare providers did not meet the applicable standard of care. The patient and her husband brought suit against the hospital and Dr. Barfield alleging that the hospital's lab error and Dr. Barfield's malpractice led to her stroke. The trial court granted the hospital's motion for summary judgment. The plaintiffs appealed.

COURT'S OPINION: The Court of Appeal of Louisiana reversed the summary judgment in favor of the hospital and remanded the case back to the trial court for further proceedings. The court held, inter alia, that there was a genuine issue of material fact as to whether insulin had, in fact, been administered to the patient. Hays v. Christus Schumpert Northern Louisiana, No. 41,271-CA (La.App. Cir. 2 08/25/2006) So.2d--LA

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