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Real case examples

Possible abscess on CT allegedly not worked up before discharge at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital

This complaint states as follows: The patient went to the emergency room at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital with severe pain in her lower back. A CT showed a possible abscess in her lower back, and the radiology report suggested follow-up imaging to confirm or rule out an abscess. Inexplicably, the Piedmont physician discharged the patient without investigating the possibility of an abscess (which could lead to life-threatening sepsis).

System
Piedmont Healthcare
Facility
Piedmont Atlanta Hospital
Providers involved
Piedmont Atlanta Hospital / Emergency physician / Radiology
Pattern
CT finding suggestive of abscess followed by discharge without follow-up imaging or investigation
Harm
Risk of life-threatening sepsis

Overview

This page concerns an emergency-room visit to Piedmont Atlanta Hospital in which a CT reportedly showed a possible lower-back abscess, the radiology report recommended follow-up imaging, and the patient nevertheless was discharged without investigation of a condition that could lead to life-threatening sepsis.

Chronology

  1. The patient went to the emergency room at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital with severe pain in her lower back.
  2. A CT showed a possible abscess in her lower back.
  3. The radiology report suggested follow-up imaging to confirm or rule out an abscess.
  4. The Piedmont physician discharged the patient without investigating the possibility of an abscess, despite the risk of life-threatening sepsis.

Alleged failures

  • The emergency physician allegedly discharged the patient despite a CT showing a possible abscess.
  • The recommended follow-up imaging in the radiology report allegedly was not pursued before discharge.
  • The alleged failure to investigate the possible abscess exposed the patient to the risk of life-threatening sepsis.

Entities and tags

Piedmont HealthcarePiedmont Atlanta HospitalEmergency physicianRadiology reportCTAbscessFailure to diagnoseRadiology follow-up failureAbscess delaySepsis riskEmergency medicineRadiology

Questions this example answers

What does the Piedmont Atlanta abscess delay allege?

This complaint states as follows: The patient went to the emergency room at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital with severe pain in her lower back. A CT showed a possible abscess in her lower back, and the radiology report suggested follow-up imaging to confirm or rule out an abscess. Inexplicably, the Piedmont physician discharged the patient without investigating the possibility of an abscess (which could lead to life-threatening sepsis).

Who is identified in this public case example?

This public case example identifies Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, Emergency physician, and Radiology. It also tags the source-supported entities Piedmont Healthcare, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, Emergency physician, Radiology report, and CT.

What alleged failures are summarized here?

The emergency physician allegedly discharged the patient despite a CT showing a possible abscess. The recommended follow-up imaging in the radiology report allegedly was not pursued before discharge. The alleged failure to investigate the possible abscess exposed the patient to the risk of life-threatening sepsis.