Who Is At Fault? Nurse Practitioner Or The Cardiologist

Lee

Lee

Senior Member
Location
Chatham, Ontario
Will try to be brief but here is what happened. Hubby has heart and vascular issued and went to the cardio doc office when he was told by the foot nurse who noticed swelling in the hands and feet to go pronto.

The doctor at the clinic now has employed a nurse practitioner who ordered a second water pill in addition to the one he was already taking. Then 3 days later for a follow up the doctor ordered yet another stronger water pill script in addition to what he was already taking.

We went out, had to drive 80 km to another town and I honestly do not know how we made it home in one piece as suddenly he kept alternating between slowing down, speeding up and veering left on the road. I kept grapping the wheel, even offered to drive and I don't drive.

We did make it home though, he sat down and started doing a puzzle while I was reading. I looked up to see puzzle pieces dropping, spoke to him and no response, he just sat there not focusing.

I called the paramedics, when they arrived he was a little more lucid at least lucid enough to give them an argument about going to the hospital. His pulse rate was 30, darn near dead.

Ten days in the hospital treated for loss of potassium with infusion of electrolytes mostly. Also taken off 3 scripts and one added. Tests will now take place for a specialized heart scan.

He is home now, a dramatic weight loss and I feel that Peter the doctor did not check up on Paula the practitioner. This has taken a toll, both physically and mentally and should not have happened. Kept me running for sure.

Your thoughts please.
 

So sorry this happened to y’all. It seems both Dr. and nurse practitioner dropped the ball. I hope you let them know what happened.

we had a similar experience in our family where a nurse practitioner saw our loved one twice and both times was very unconcerned about the symptoms.Sent her home twice without help. She did not survive the experience. She spent several weeks on life support before the decision had to be made to discontinue efforts.

maybe it’s different in your country but in USA medical care often seems to be a roll of the dice.
(I give thanks for good nurses though)
 
MountainRa said:
So sorry this happened to y’all. It seems both Dr. and nurse practitioner dropped the ball. I hope you let them know what happened.
Click to expand...
Oh, believe me they know what happened, they would get a copy of the hospital records and of course be made aware that next appointment was cancelled.
 

First, are you able to learn how to drive? You may wish to consider that, in case the need arises again. I believe that in cases where the heart is an issue, it's best to stick with one doctor and one doctor only. Having secondary care workers intervening in cardio issues may not be in the patient's best interest.
 
My wife had arterial valve stenosis. She had open heart surgery in 2019.

She has also had swollen feet and was put on a diuretic for that.


What you are describing sounds like a very very very clear case of medical malpractice.

The nurse practitioner clearly did not properly review the medications he was on.

And, from my point of view...no nurse, should EVER interact with a cardiac patient without direct supervision of an MD.

NOT EVER.

And the doctor absolutely should not have left her unsupervised.


The legal issues around suing for medical malpractice are quite complicated. Even if they make glaring errors, it can still be very hard to win a judgment against them.

I would really solely focus on the health issues, at least for a few weeks. Once that is stable, you can decide if you want to look into legal action.


Personally, if I were you...I would absolutely not go back to that doctor!!!


We found Laurie's doctor through a search from US News and World Reports list of the best cardiac hospitals in the country.

We live in NJ, near NYC and found one of these hospitals in NYC.

Best Hospitals for Cardiology & Heart Surgery

https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/cardiology-and-heart-surgery​

 
Here is the Cleveland Clinic's article on water pills (diuretics) ---

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21826-diuretics

excerpt:


What are the risks or complications of diuretics?​

Usual side effects of diuretics include:
Your provider will want to make sure your kidneys are working right and your potassium level is normal when you’re taking diuretic pills. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, an older adult or have problems with your kidneys or liver, discuss the risks of diuretics with your provider.

​

 
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Blah, relying on doctors alone is a fools errand. In the hospital after his gallbladder surgery, my husband's surgeon was complaining to me about his liver enzymes going sky-high then dropping like a rock. I told him, if you look, he's being given the highest dose of Lipitor a human being is allowed to take. He immediately turned and ran away. Found out later putting a patient on that high a dose after surgery is harmful. Oh well. At least they caught it before turning him into a vegetable.
 
That is terrible, @Lee
Very sorry all that happened!!!:oops:o_O:(:(:(:cry:

Terrible negligence on their parts!

There are some good suggestions in the posts, above. I am glad. I didn't know what to suggest, but I hope you can get a better doctor (with a better staff as well)
 
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Lee said:
Will try to be brief but here is what happened. Hubby has heart and vascular issued and went to the cardio doc office when he was told by the foot nurse who noticed swelling in the hands and feet to go pronto.

The doctor at the clinic now has employed a nurse practitioner who ordered a second water pill in addition to the one he was already taking. Then 3 days later for a follow up the doctor ordered yet another stronger water pill script in addition to what he was already taking.
Click to expand...
What's the chance that the doctor didn't know the nurse practitioner ordered the second pill? (didn't check chart, didn't ask, etc.)
 

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