Roberts, et al. v. Cogent Healthcare of Macon, LLC, et al.

Summary

In this wrongful death medical malpractice action, plaintiff claims defendant physician failed to meet the standard of care with regard to medical treatment, leading to a patient's death from sepsis-related organ failure.

Plaintiff contends defendant hospitalist failed to properly follow-up on tell-tale signs of an anastomotic leak, or leak in the surgical seam of the intestine, following bowel surgery on the patient. These signs included imaging of free air in the abdomen, abnormal blood test results, and more. The leak eventually led to sepsis and subsequent fatal organ failure.

Defendant hospitalist contends that he was part of a team of physicians, which included a number of specialists, while the patient was in the ICU. The hospitalist contends his role in the care of the patient during the relevant time period was merely to follow the patient for continuity of care, presuming the patient would eventually be transferred back to the hospital's general ward. The hospitalist claims that responsibility for following up on any signs of an anastomotic leak rested with other healthcare providers who were not defendants at trial, including the surgeon who cared for the patient.

Outcome

Verdict for the defense.