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Memorial Health complaint alleges giant-cell arteritis diagnosis delay before permanent vision loss

The complaint alleges that a patient presented to Memorial Health University Medical Center with a 36-day headache, scalp tenderness, and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and that the treating physician noted giant cell arteritis as a consideration but discharged her without specialist consultation. The complaint alleges that the patient later presented to another Savannah hospital with left-eye vision loss, was treated for giant cell arteritis, and sustained permanent, medically preventable injuries.

System
Memorial Health University Medical Center
Facility
Memorial Health University Medical Center
Providers involved
Memorial Health University Medical Center / Bradley K. Post, M.D. / Georgia Emergency Physician Specialists, LLC / Sound Inpatient Physicians, Inc. / Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia-TCG PC
Pattern
Emergency-department headache and scalp tenderness allegedly discharged without giant-cell arteritis diagnosis or specialist consultation
Harm
Alleged permanent left-eye vision loss and ongoing permanent injuries

Overview

This page concerns a public complaint alleging that an emergency-department visit at Memorial Health University Medical Center should have led to further evaluation and specialist consultation for suspected giant cell arteritis before discharge.

Chronology

  1. According to the complaint, the plaintiff presented to the Memorial Health University Medical Center emergency department in Savannah on May 1, 2023 with a 36-day headache and painful knots or scalp tenderness.
  2. The complaint states that Dr. Bradley Post ordered laboratory studies and CT imaging, including an erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
  3. According to the complaint, the sedimentation-rate result was elevated at 44 millimeters per hour.
  4. The complaint states that Dr. Post noted giant cell arteritis as a consideration but also noted that the sedimentation rate was not significantly elevated and considered migraine.
  5. The complaint alleges that Dr. Post discharged the plaintiff from Memorial Health at approximately 9:17 p.m. on May 1, 2023.
  6. According to the complaint, the plaintiff presented to St. Joseph’s Hospital/Candler on May 18, 2023 with left-eye vision loss, records noted concern for giant cell arteritis, and she was given prednisone.
  7. The complaint states that a rheumatologist later confirmed giant cell arteritis and described the case as severe given the existing left-eye vision loss.

Alleged failures

  • The complaint alleges that Dr. Post failed to fully appreciate symptoms and circumstances allegedly indicative of giant cell arteritis, including age, gender, headache, scalp pain, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
  • The complaint alleges that Dr. Post failed to consult neurology, ophthalmology, vascular surgery, or rheumatology for further evaluation and treatment.
  • The complaint alleges that the plaintiff’s pain, suffering, permanent vision loss, and other injuries were medically avoidable.
  • The complaint alleges professional malpractice, including gross negligence, against Dr. Post and agency or respondeat-superior liability against the associated physician groups and Memorial Health entity.

Entities and tags

Memorial Health University Medical CenterSavannah Health Services, LLCBradley K. Post, M.D.Georgia Emergency Physician Specialists, LLCSound Inpatient Physicians, Inc.Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia-TCG PCGiant cell arteritisTemporal arteritisErythrocyte sedimentation rateESRVision lossEmergency departmentFailure to diagnoseFailure to consult specialistEmergency-department dischargeEmergency medicineRheumatologyOphthalmologyNeurology

Questions this example answers

What does the Memorial Health giant-cell arteritis delay allege?

The complaint alleges that a patient presented to Memorial Health University Medical Center with a 36-day headache, scalp tenderness, and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and that the treating physician noted giant cell arteritis as a consideration but discharged her without specialist consultation. The complaint alleges that the patient later presented to another Savannah hospital with left-eye vision loss, was treated for giant cell arteritis, and sustained permanent, medically preventable injuries.

Who is identified in this public case example?

This public case example identifies Memorial Health University Medical Center, Bradley K. Post, M.D., Georgia Emergency Physician Specialists, LLC, Sound Inpatient Physicians, Inc., and Hospitalist Medicine Physicians of Georgia-TCG PC. It also tags the source-supported entities Memorial Health University Medical Center, Savannah Health Services, LLC, Bradley K. Post, M.D., Georgia Emergency Physician Specialists, LLC, and Sound Inpatient Physicians, Inc.

What alleged failures are summarized here?

The complaint alleges that Dr. Post failed to fully appreciate symptoms and circumstances allegedly indicative of giant cell arteritis, including age, gender, headache, scalp pain, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The complaint alleges that Dr. Post failed to consult neurology, ophthalmology, vascular surgery, or rheumatology for further evaluation and treatment. The complaint alleges that the plaintiff’s pain, suffering, permanent vision loss, and other injuries were medically avoidable.