There are several places where I have concerns about this case that make it worth review because on first evaluation this was a preventable death. With those EKG findings he should not have had any elective surgery until the issue was evaluated by a cardiologist. When the patient had a new complaint following surgery she should have been seen and evaluated or instructed to go to the emergency room. The standard of care is that patient with a long QT who have new symptoms need an evaluation because they are at risk for an arrhythmia and sudden death. First, if the primary care doctor was responsible for an evaluation and or clearance for surgery and had an H&P, he fell below the standard in care by not getting a cardiology work up for the prolonged QT. If the PCP had privileges at the hospital that the operation took place, then he is responsible for that content of the medical record. If the PCP does not have privileges then the surgeon has to validate the PCP. Second, the anesthesiologist should not have put the patient to sleep with these findings. Finally, when a patient calls with a new complaint after a gastric bypass, the patient should have been evaluated or sent to the emergency room. If the patient’s symptoms were not discussed with the doctor and it was given by anyone employed by the surgeon, he is still responsible.
Expert Bio
This double board certified surgeon specializes in surgical critical care and is the director of bariatric surgery at her university as well as an Associate Professor of Surgery. She is a member of such prestigious professional societies as the American College of Surgeons and the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. In addition to her clinical appointments she also serves as an associate professor of surgery at a university medical center. She has published multiple peer-reviewed articles in several medical journals such as the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery and the Journal of Robotic Surgery. In addition to her journal articles, this highly qualified surgeon has authored a book chapter gastric bypass surgery in an obesity management textbook. She lectures widely on laparoscopic surgery, gastric bypass surgery and the treatment of obese patients.
