Patient Safety Issues

I'm in the middle of a case right now where my client suffered a significant muscle loss injury while in the hospital.  Of the doctors in charge, one was a first year resident and the other was a first year fellow.  It appears that neither of these doctors knew that it was not necessary to determine the source and reason of the pain, rather, the only objective was to control the pain.  The result, tissue and muscle death.  The result, an altered life course for my client.  The consequences for these doctors: none.  What was learned: nothing. 

In a deposition of the hospital 2nd in command who had 10 years of critical nursing experience, who sat on the safety committee; she could not say if muscle loss was a permanent injury.

Until these folks own up to their mistakes and move on, the health care system will remain a mess.

The attached link discusses a NY Times article on patient safety through the eyes of a young doctor.  Interesting stuff.