My dad has had a history of Liver problems, he went into the hospital due to neck pain and was givin a priscription of 500mg of vickodin. The doctors took blood and should have found that he had liver problems. They sent him on his way 3-4 days later he died.
My understanding, people that has severe liver problems shouldn't be givin anything that has high doses of tylonol in it cause it will induce liver failure. My question to the people out there is is this a part of medical malpractice??
Did they misdiagnose him and give him a pain killer that eventually led to his death?
2007-03-07 11:44:21 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
People with liver disease should not be given tylenol. However, it can be given still if carefully monitored. Liver disease is a relative, not an absolute, contraindication.
The key to this is did the doctors know of the liver problems before then gave the vicodin. If they did, then you have a serious medication error. It they did not, it is just a sad turn of events.
Tylenol causes liver failure which causes death. You need to take quite a bit of tylenol for this to occur. Way more than the 500mg you were given. The maximum dose of tylenol per day is 4 grams. Even at 4 grams, you will not get liver failure.
What did your father die of?
In my eyes, this is just a tragic story, not malpractice.
2007-03-07 12:46:32 · answer #1 · answered by Lea 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Of course this is wrong. The doctors first of all negelted your father. He should of been in the hospital for observation when he was on vickdion and he should of been at the hospital until he felt better. YOu definately have a law suit. That is such a high mg. There are so many things doctors can do to see if a erson has liver problems. They could have done a biosopy or had a ct of the Liver. Was the doctor a attending, intern-right out of med school? Definately find a good liver because these are doctors and you put your fathers life in their hands. For sure a blood test will show abdnormal liver problems. If I were you I will go after the doctor and the person that made the diagonis from the blood. Let him rest in peace. I feel sad for you.
2007-03-07 19:56:32 · answer #2 · answered by greenburg603 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if they misdiagnosed him because he came to the hospital for neck problems which they addressed. The blood they took might not have included specific tests for liver functions. If he had complained of abdominal pains around the liver area, then probably they would have suspected the liver problem. It is not sound medical practice if someone comes to the hospital with, say, an eye problem and he gets a routine skeletal survey.This is just my opinion based on what you wrote. It is best you secure a copy of your dad's records and discuss with the right persons.
2007-03-09 09:55:48 · answer #3 · answered by Rene B 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would be worth consulting with an attorney, but from what I have read it was your fathers resonsibilities to tell the doctor he had a history of liver problems when the doctor said he was going to prescribe Vicodin to relieve the pain.
2007-03-07 20:00:23 · answer #4 · answered by Terry Z 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Was an autopsy performed?? If so, get a copy of it and have someone with a medical background examine it.
Malpractive is diffifult to prove, and only a fraction of the lawsuits win a monetary award.
You might want to get a copy of the hospital records.
2007-03-07 19:50:01 · answer #5 · answered by TedEx 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Malpractice is defined as "when someone does not have a license to perform a procedure but they perform that procedure anyway" It can also be defined as "when a person has a license or education but chooses not to perform procedures out of carelessness." You must have proof first before accusing the dr.'s of "malpractice." Im sorry for your lost. I hope you feel better.
2007-03-07 19:51:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Did your dad list on his history form that he had liver problem?
2007-03-07 19:52:34 · answer #7 · answered by D28Guy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From what you say, sounds like it. Get a lawyer, quick.
2007-03-07 19:49:07 · answer #8 · answered by FireBug 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋